The Crannog Research Programme will host a heritage awareness day on the crannog excavations near Monasteraden, on the shore of Lough Gara, on Sunday in the community hall, Monasteraden, at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome, but the organisers recommend you bring your wellies, or some waterproof footwear, as there will be a tour of the site later.
The programme, directed by archaeologist Ms Christina Fredengren, began in 1995 and the excavation team is undertaking its final three weeks of excavations, after which the site will be backfilled.
The crannog dates from the early medieval/early Christian period and its many layers portray the lifestyles of the middle classes of each period. A wealth of information has been recorded from the crannog, and the awareness day offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to look back in time through the eyes of an archaeologist.
The day's activities are being run og Research Programme in association with the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council and Sligo Corporation.
The methods and materials used to construct the crannog can be seen and the different occupation phases at the site can be read through the archaeological layers. The top layers og were associated with iron production, while in the lower layers personal ornaments such as bone pins and fragments of a lignite bracelet were found.
Duchas, the Royal Irish Academy and Peace and Reconciliation have funded the excavation. The Heritage Council provided funding for samples of wood and bone from other crannog sites around the lake. They will be dated using radiocarbon techniques.
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Ms Mary Barrett, will address the gathering. Ms Fredengren, will give a short lecture, illustrated with slides, describing the layout and excavations at the crannog and the work carried out to date. Ms Fredengren will then take people on a guided tour of the site.