Archaeology is the study of past human societies, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material remains and environmental data which they have left behind, such as artefacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes. In Ireland our archaeological timescale begins in the Mesolithic period c. 8,000 years ago and ends in the post medieval period (c. AD1560 – 1900). The following pages aim to give an overview, and highlight the evidence of, each archaeological period in relation to our Lough Neagh study area.

To view maps showing the location of sites from each archaeological period and excavations within the Lough Neagh area click on this link.