Description
The Archaeology of Gatherings was a thematic international conference to bring together a range of speakers from different disciplines. It took place at the Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ireland, between 25 and 27 October 2013 during the year of 'The Gathering', an Irish government initiative to engage with the worldwide diaspora. The aim of the conference and of this volume was to take a multidisciplinary approach in order to explore the structures, material culture and psychology behind gatherings of people. This volume thus seeks to contribute to the study of varied types of temporary gatherings both from the contemporary world and from the past. Through time people have gathered together for many reasons, including religious and political assemblies, social interaction and to exchange commodities and ideas. While some of these gatherings occurred in particular buildings or arenas, many were outdoors and temporary, and may have left only limited material evidence of their occurrence. It is therefore hoped that this multidisciplinary approach will provide insight into these sometimes ephemeral events and their remains.
AUTHORFiona Beglane is a Lecturer of Archaeology at the Institute of Technology, Sligo and a consultant zooarchaeologist. Her research interests focus on zooarchaeology, medieval hunting, landscape and settlement and the use of scientific techniques in archaeology. She has a particular interest in integrating scientific and social/cultural interpretations of archaeology and in examining the interaction between humans and animals. ContributorsIan Armit, Edel Barry, Fiona Beglane, Julie M. Bond, James Bonsall, Chris Carey, Robert M, Chapple, Julia E. M. Cussans, Stephen Davis, Stephen J. Dockrill, Heather Gimson, Patrick Gleeson, Hans K. Hognestad, Jo T. McKenzie, Clark McPhail, Una MacConville, Caitríona Moore, Sam Moore, Louise Nugent, Elizabeth Richley, Stuart Tyson Smith
REVIEWS
‘This lively volume sets out to explore the material culture behind social gatherings of all kinds. It includes chapters on scouting meetings, railway excursions, the global sociality of football, colonial gatherings and feasting in Iron-Age Scotland. But there is also a solid core of papers on medieval Ireland which makes it of great potential interest to readers of this journal.’ Matt Edgeworth, Medieval Archaeology, 62.1, 2018
‘The volume makes for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, which has justified time spent on a third reading. It can be recommended to anyone with a general interest in the trajectory of archaeological thought and has much to offer the general reader’ Franc Myles, Journal of Irish Archaeology, Volume 26
‘The essays are eclectic but hang together surprisingly well. … [W]ith such diverse subject matter and approaches, there will be something here to interest almost any reader.’ Stephen H. Harrison, Scottish Archaeological Journal, Volume 40, 2018
‘As archaeology proceedings go, this one is as necessary, fresh, and satisfying as ice-cold prosecco on a hot day….You probably need it in your library.’ Rena Maguire, Current Archaeology, Issue 331, October 2017
‘This book contains many maps and photographs and is a valuable contribution to an understanding of the history and archaeology of gathering sites in Ireland and throughout the world.’ Archaeology Ireland, Summer 2017
‘The volume makes for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, which has justified time spent on a third reading. It can be recommended to anyone with a general interest in the trajectory of archaeological thought and has much to offer the general reader’ Franc Myles, Journal of Irish Archaeology, Volume 26
‘The essays are eclectic but hang together surprisingly well. … [W]ith such diverse subject matter and approaches, there will be something here to interest almost any reader.’ Stephen H. Harrison, Scottish Archaeological Journal, Volume 40, 2018
‘As archaeology proceedings go, this one is as necessary, fresh, and satisfying as ice-cold prosecco on a hot day….You probably need it in your library.’ Rena Maguire, Current Archaeology, Issue 331, October 2017‘As archaeology proceedings go, this one is as necessary, fresh, and satisfying as ice-cold prosecco on a hot day….You probably need it in your library.’ Rena Maguire, Current Archaeology, Issue 331, October 2017
‘This book contains many maps and photographs and is a valuable contribution to an understanding of the history and archaeology of gathering sites in Ireland and throughout the world.’ Archaeology Ireland, Summer 2017
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