Ceide Fields

• an important Neolithic archaeological site in the northwest of Ireland

Discovery

• In the 1930s, a local teacher realised that stones beneath the bog surface were once 31

• His 32 became an archaeologist and undertook an investigation of the site:

- a traditional method used by local people to dig for 33  was used to identify where stones were located

- carbon dating later proved the site was Neolithic

• Items are well preserved in the bog because of a lack of 34

Neolithic farmers

• Houses were 35  in shape and had a hole in the roof

• Neolithic innovations include:

- cooking indoors

- pots used for storage and to make 36

• Each field at Ceide was large enough to support a big 37

• The fields were probably used to restrict the grazing of animals - no

evidence of structures to house them during 38

Reasons for the decline in farming

• a decline in 39  quality

• an increase in 40