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The ‘Royal Sites’—so-called because of the identification in the early medieval period as the pre-Christian residences of provincial kings—have been the subject of intense recent archaeological investigation. This research has revealed a deep history of activity at each of these—Tara, Emain Macha (Navan Fort), Dún Ailinne (Knockaulin) and Cruachain—stretching back in some cases to the Neolithic period before 3000 BC. These complexes and their attendant landscapes also play an important anchor role in early medieval texts and stories with a particular association with kingship. The archaeological evidence and the later synthetic histories will be appraised through a series of lectures and site visits.
Note: This module will also be available in Semester 2, under the code, ID013X The Cultural Heritage of 'Royal Sites'