Archaeologist’s work appears in kids’ science book
A WICKLOW archaeologist’s work in rebuilding the dwellings of the past to better understand the way of life of early Irish people is featured in a new science book series for children.
University College Dublin (UCD) archaeology professor Aidan O’Sullivan has been involved with considerable ‘experimental archaeology’ in which real life dwellings from the past have been rebuilt in order to better understand the way of life of early Irish people.
‘I’m particularly interested in people’s daily lives, their practices, their houses and their material culture,’ said Prof O’Sullivan from Valleymount.
‘Society in the early medieval period was very different to today – it was based on status, gender, kinship and community. What I want to know is what was it like to be a person 1,000 years ago?
‘If we could somehow go back in time, we’d find it very strange. People would be dressed differently, with different hair styles and clothes, and they’d be speaking old Irish which very few people are able to understand today,’ he said.
‘They also had some very hard to accept ideas about the world.’
Medieval Irish society believed in rigid social classes and had no concept of gender equality.
‘It was a relatively misogynistic society. A woman’s status depended on her relationship to her father, brothers, husband or sons,’ he said.
His research is featured in a new national series of Science Apprentice books that encourage primary school children to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The books Superbodies, Up In The Air, Illusion and How It’s Made are produced by UCD and partners and supported by the Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Prof O’Sullivan contributed to the How It’s Made book, which will be published this Saturday, November 24.
‘These books are also a great way for parents to get their children interested in science and technology as a career, reinforcing the message that there is no limit to what they can become,’ he said.
The Science Apprentice books are available to order for schools and are free to collect with the Irish Independent in SuperValu stores.
Ireland’s archaeological sector is entering a new boom period following a post-Celtic Tiger crash in the number of digs taking place, according to the Valleymount man.
‘During the Celtic Tiger years hundreds of excavations took place but all that stopped when the development stopped,’ he said.
‘Now, it is starting to come back, which is great to see, particularly in the last year. In Dublin city, for example, I know of four excavations all taking place within 100 metres of each other.’