I went to the Ireland Archaeology Museum, got complimented (two times) and made three friends. This is quite possibly the best day yet. As I entered the Archaeology Museum I attempted to take a picture of the ceiling. The ceiling was incredibly intricate and was colored a baby-blue. The curator yelled across the room to not take pictures and my hopes crashed. Working at the University Archives and ASC Group it was understandable that the curators wanted to preserve the artifacts and architecture. I went to pay and the curator who yelled at me said it was free. The curator asked where I was from. I replied Columbus, Ohio. Suddenly the curator became ecstatic and said "Isn’t there a Dublin there?!”. This is the third time this happened to me. I told him I worked for an archaeological firm and he gave me permission to take a picture of the ceiling that I was admiring. He told the guards I was an archaeologist. The Ireland Archaeological Museum has an astonishing 2,000,000 artifacts including exhibitions in Viking Ireland, Prehistoric Ireland, Ór (Irelands Gold), Medieval Ireland and Bog culture. I was thoroughly impressed with all the exhibits but Viking Ireland was my favorite. It should be known that the Vikings raided Ireland between 795 and 836 A.D. The Vikings brought new technologies and systems to the Irish people. The Vikings also raided and pillaged established communities which were monasteries at that time. The Viking occupation established merchant towns like the Republic of Irelands capital, Dublin. They brought essentially brought capitalism to Ireland which in the long term counterbalanced the raiding. The Vikings brought the comb and the weight scales too.
Bogs are created after many years of decay of foliage and animals. Bogs cover 1/6 of Ireland and are a major source of fuel. The habitat of the bog is very unique in that it preserves organic and inorganic material for hundreds of years in a pristine state. The bogs are so thick that the oxygen can’t permeate (anaerobic-Oxygen free) and allow the bacteria to decompose the material or life forms. The museum housed the three bog bodies out of a thousand found. One is the Old Croghan Man, radiocarbon dated to be over 2,000 years old (362 B.C.). Crogham Man was decapitated, stabbed, nipples cut off and sawed in half. The Crogham Man was 6’6 and of higher status. A chemical analysis of his nails revealed that his diet consisted of a lot of meat. His nails were manicured as well. People, animals and objects were given to the bog for spiritual reasons. I got told that I had pretty eyes and hair. And a guy whispered a little too loudly that I was hot. Archaeology and compliments...I don't think it can get any better!
I will not be able to access the internet because I will be in Ballybay. It is in the country. I have had problems connecting to the internet lately because I have been in Belfast.
3 comments:
laine, you are like living in a book that i want to spend the summer reading. the places, characters, host family...i mean come on! i am so proud of you and the places you are chosing to experience, the people you are pumped to meet, and the inner strength you have found to accomplish this all on your own. keep feeding us these stories of yours! pretty soon you'll have me thinking you are an international woman of mystery delving into the secret societies of Irish/Russian caber tossing.
rock on
evan
Very cool, Laine. I love that you are taking advantage of every opportunity there. You are not wasting time. Keep exploring and giving us our tour of Ireland.
I, like Ryan, need to know what happened with the 5-0. What was wrong with your bank card?
Thank you Evan. I am traitor spy for the Irish and Russians. Mata Hari all over again.
I am pretty sure the Garda never came. I think the machine did not recognize card.
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