Students from Uppsala took part in excavating a ringfort in Ireland

The students participated in an archaeological investigation of Rathgurreen Ringfort outside Galway. The site is a type of fortress called a ringfort, which was common in Ireland during the early Middle Ages, 600–900 AD. Nobles and rulers lived here during a period corresponding to the Iron Age in Sweden.

“The existence of this ringfort has been known for some time, and it was excavated as early as the late 1940s. Even then, there were few finds, and that was also the case this time,” says Maja Hed.

There are 40,000–50,000 ringforts scattered across Ireland, but this one is much larger than the others. Moreover, the fort is surrounded by two ramparts instead of just one. Researchers are wondering what the reason behind this could be. Is the ringfort older than the others? Did it have a higher status?

“It was a lot of fun to be able to take part in the excavation. The interesting thing about this site is that it has such a long history, stretching from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. Here we have lithic flakes from stone tools, medieval knives, and imported glass beads. The site has been used by people in a number of different ways for several thousand years,” says Maja Hed.

View of the water

The fort is located on high ground overlooking the water in Galway Bay. Even back in the Bronze Age, it was a good location with a commanding view of the surrounding area. Excavation shows that there was a lot of trade and import activity here.

“One of the glass beads is blue, a type of glass bead that was not produced in Ireland, but in the area around Palestine. We also found e-ware pottery that was made in France,” says Maja Hed.

The ramparts around the castle were also excavated, revealing a large quantity of animal bones and charcoal.

“The question is, why all the bones in the ramparts? Either they were deliberately dumped there, or it was easier to build the ramparts using waste material,” says Maja Hed.

Studied for four years

Maja Hed has studied archaeology for four years and is now starting her second year of a master's programme in archaeology at Uppsala University. It has meant a lot to her to go abroad and be part of an excavation.

“Just like the seminar excavation in Uppsala, it has provided much-needed knowledge about how to handle the material in practice and not just in books. You get to experience a side of archaeology that you cannot fathom through theory alone. We sketched images of the trenches and measured the finds. I would love to go back to Ireland and dig!”

In the coming semester, Maja Hed will be doing an internship at the County Museum of Gävleborg.

“All experience is good experience that I will benefit from when I venture out into the job market. You learn what works and what doesn’t, whether it’s in Sweden or abroad.”

Annica Hulth