Archaeologists find medieval games and pens at Irish fort

Evidence of luxury life found

Archaeologists uncovered abundant proof of luxuries at the Caherconnell Cashel site located in the Burren region. This large ringfort served as a home for wealthy local rulers from the late 10th century to the early 17th century. Excavations showed that activities like fighting and farming existed alongside less mundane pursuits such as game playing and music. A well-preserved circular dry stone wall structure enclosed the settlement's houses and workshops.

Unique gaming pieces discovered

Surviving evidence includes small gaming pieces crafted from bone, antler, metal, clay and stone materials found at the site. One complete find was an 11th-century barrel-shaped polished antler gaming piece featuring a bronze peg running through its hollow core. These pegged game pieces were used in the Saxon and Viking board game known as hnefatafl which appeared around the ninth or 10th century. The true extent of game playing is lost due to the perishable nature of wood, leather and textiles used extensively.

Rare literacy tools unearthed

Evidence of literacy includes writing implements and associated equipment recovered from this family settlement in western Ireland. A remarkable find was an 11th-century pen made from bone and bronze with a tapering point inserted into the narrow end. Experimental work by archaeologist Adam Parsons found the closest match was a swan radius from the right-side wing. To date, proof of early reading skills in Ireland has mostly appeared at monastic locations and associated religious places.

Secular context remains unique

As of now, the Caherconnell pen has no similar examples in Ireland or other regions concerning its initial non-religious setting. Literate occupants of the settlement may have enjoyed composing, reading and sharing ancestral pedigrees and epic tales of gods. Archaeological records seldom capture the musical sounds of a settlement, even though harps have been found at comparable locations.