Invisible Archaeology Assignment Sample

The Slave Markets of The Viking World

Viking Arab Coin in National Museum of Ireland Archaeology

In the period of 1961 to 1981, a lot of archaeological excavation took place in Dubai and after a lot of efforts the first evidence of the presence of Viking was found in the rivers of many burial sites in Ireland. The archeologists could find the graves of Viking in the extensive cemeteries located in Kilmainham. Some of the Viking graves were also found in the River Liffey found in Dublin. According to the history of medieval period, Viking established their fortified bases in Dublin in 841AD (Raffield, 2019). The history also reveals that many dead people were buried along with their weapons at this place. The dead people included warriors and merchants and the weapons included purses, tongs, weights and hammers. It is also said that the Viking base in Dublin transformed into a town in the 10^th century which significantly helped in the transformation of Irish society.

 The found graves depicted that the Viking had commercial aspect associated to their presence in Ireland. The graves had hack silver, silver ingots and coins in it which clearly depicted commercial aspect of Viking.

After the excavations were made, the Museum of Ireland acquired all the objects that were found in digging of the river banks and the street cuttings. According to the museum, the stored objects were archaeological deposits that demonstrated the wealth of Ireland and which were also available to the archeologists for the purpose of investigation if needed.

The Viking coins found in the excavation is an evidence of medium of exchange that took place in Ireland. The silver made its way into Ireland in the form of coins. Therefore these coins are very special part of our history. These coins are also very special because they give insights about the medieval period of Ireland. These coins along with telling the story the Dublin, also tell the story of Glendalough. The coins reveal the spiritual aspect associated to the area of Glendalough. The assistant keeper of the Ireland’s National Museum is actually the curator of this area. He states that these coins are the medium of transactions in the area of Glendalough in the medieval period. Therefore, it also indicates the connection between the Dublin and this area and how the two places were using port there. It can also be learnt through coins that coinage system was only applicable in Viking towns and certain ecclesiastical sites.

Sir John Grey Statue on O'connell Street

John Grey was an Irish politician. Along with being a politician he was also a surgeon, journalist, physician and a newspaper proprietor. He had his offices in Dublin Corporation which were responsible for the fresh water supply to all the suburbs of Dublin city. The great man died on 9 April 1875 at Bath. The entire Dublin city was aware of the contributions that man did to the public health of Dublin by ensuring the regular supply of fresh water to the entire Dublin city. Therefore, soon after the death of Mr. John Grey the contributions did by him was recognized in the form of memorial statue at O’Connell Street of Dublin (Milligan, 2020). The statue of Mr. John Grey is a sculpted Portland Limestone figure which is standing while facing towards south. The statue is standing erect on the pedestal of the O’Connell Street of Dublin. The sculpture is surrounded by railings of cast iron.

The history states that along with the statue, a public funeral was arranged at Glasnevin Cemetery after his remains returned to Ireland. He died in 1875 and the work was statue got over in the year of 1879. The history states that the statue was not only dedicated to his efforts towards contributing to the public health of Dublin but also towards other services as well. Mr. John Grey was a great support in the Home Rule Movement along with this passage of Irish Church. He also provided his advocacy for the rights of tenants and also in the initiation of Land Bills. John Grey demanded radical legislation and wanted fixity of tenure for the tenants. He constantly fought for the rights of tenants and eventually the New Landlord and Tenant Act was approved by the Gladstone.

 One of the most important contributions that this man made in his life was when he became the sole proprietor of Newspaper in the year 1850. After becoming the sole proprietor of the newspaper, he rigorously worked on increasing the size of the newspaper and reducing the charged price for it. The main wanted the reduction in the price of the newspaper in order to make the newspaper affordable by most of the people in Dublin. He also made efforts to further increase the circulation of the newspaper throughout the city and suburbs of Ireland.

St. Kevin’s Cell (site at Glendalough)

St. Kevin’s Cell is regarded as the one of the most attractions of the Ireland. The location is named after Kevin who was a Saint and the founder of Glendalough’s first abbot. Third June is marked as the feast day of Saint Kevin. The meaning of Glendalough is that it is a place where two lakes glen. This site is considered to be an important site of monastic ruin. Kevin lived on this site in a man-made cave which is recognized as Kevin’s bed now. The place became popular a monastic settlement because only Kevin lived seven years of his life here praying and talking to birds and animals around him. The history unfolds that all these seven years Kevin wore animal skins and ate very less. He use to sleep on stones and spent most of his time in remembering god. The history states that Kevin was able to attract Disciples to this place which led to the further settlement of Kevin Cell at this location. The settlement of Kevin Cell was enclosed by a wall and was established near the lakeshore (Warren, McDermott & Seaver, 2019). Soon, Kevin became popular in the region and was started to get recognized as a teacher. People from far places came to the Kevin’s cell for taking guidance and learning spirituality. In next few years, with the growing popularity of Kevin and figuring of him as a teacher the place became a renowned seminary of scholars and saints. Glendalough was getting considered as the parent of many monasteries. The medieval history reveals that Kevin was residing at this place only until his death. Kevin till his death was able to make his mark in the history by firmly establishing his community within few years. The place is still considered to be a monastery because Kevin lived at this place by just praying, fasting and teaching for several years.

Pope Plus canonized Kevin of Glendalough in the year 1903. The beautiful poem “St.Kevin and the Blackbird” written by Seamus Heaney is also a part of Legacy and Veneration of Saint Kevin. The culture recognizes Kevin as an ascetic who drowned a woman because she was trying to seduce him. The Dubliners had recorded this event and made the event popular in order to portray that Kevin was also in love with his god. Today, Kevin is remembered for his peity and preachings.

References for Invisible Archaeology

Raffield, B. (2019). The slave markets of the Viking world: comparative perspectives on an ‘invisible archaeology’. Slavery & Abolition, 40(4), 682-705.

Milligan, K. (2020). Celebrating the Liberator: The Visual and Material Culture of the O’Connell Centenary, 1875. New Hibernia Review, 24(1), 17-38.

Warren, G., McDermott, C., & Seaver, M. (2019). Glendalough. In The 20th INQUA Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 25-31 July 2019. Irish Quaternary Association.

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