Posted on 08/05/2006 12:19:38 PM PDT by blam
More pieces of hidden bog book found
More fragments of an ancient manuscript concealed in a Co Tipperary bog over 1,000 years ago with a view to later recovery, have been found by the National Museum of Ireland, writes Seán Mac Connell
The discoveries also include a fine leather pouch in which the manuscript was originally kept.
Museum experts have excavated the site at Faddan More, in north Tipperary, since the discovery of the manuscript last month by excavator driver Eddie Fogarty.
He found the book on July 20th while digging peat on a bog owned by brothers Kevin and Patrick Leonard, according to a statement issued by the museum last night.
It said archaeologists and conservators had completed excavation of the area where the ancient manuscript was found. It described the find as "an extremely significant discovery".
"The site was excavated over seven days by archaeologists and conservators from the National Museum of Ireland.
"Part of a fine leather pouch in which the book was kept originally was recovered as well as other small fragments of the manuscript and its cover. The investigation results suggest the owner concealed the book deliberately, perhaps with a view to its later recovery," the statement noted.
"All the excavated material is now being conserved and analysed in the National Museum of Ireland and samples of the peat surrounding the find spot have been sent for specialist analysis," it said.
The area around Faddan More bog is rich in medieval history. Of particular relevance are important monastic foundations such as Lorrha and Terryglass in Co Tipperary and Birr and Seirkieran in Co Offaly, which are located nearby.
A leather satchel was found in the same bog six years ago and has been radiocarbon dated to between the 7th and 9th centuries AD.
© The Irish Times
Glad to hear you came out of that OK. Sounds like the outcome could have been much worse.
bttt
"Why don't we ever hear of bogs and/or peat in North America?"
There's a pretty interesting bog near out West. Not much to see but of historical significance. I think it is in or near the Great Basin. The bog has (or had) thick slabs of peat that were over ice that stayed frozen year 'round because the peat insulated the ice. When travelers on the Oregon trail began going through the area, the native Americans showed them the bog as a source of water. The travelers would cut blocks of ice from the bog and pack them on their wagons, insulated with peat. They collected the cold water as the ice melted.
I was on a bicyle trip that followed the Oregon Trail when I visited the site in the early 80's and the bog was still visible but was part of a cattle pasture. The cattle congregated there and it was essentially a big mud hole when I saw it. Although , supposedly, the peat extended further back from where the cattle were.
Thanks to everyone who commented on bogs and peat in North America. I sure learned a lot.
Now you know!
And knowing is half the battle!
So did I !! I'm glad you brought up the question.
Very interesting history!
Psalm 83 sounds very up-to-date.
Ping
Yet more stuff found in the bog... monks must lost a lot of stuff down bog holes!!
There are other things happening in this country you know...
;)
Great summer - everyone has the turf brought home!!
Boggles the mind.
Perhaps they were using the bog as a latrine, and the pages were "tp of last resort"?
Well, bogs were basically warehouses in ancient and medieval times - something in the peat that preserves perishable objects.
...My thoughts exactly.
Without a doubt - this chopper hovered around our business premises - an we were burning sawdust only the day before!
(They can't do a thing - it's ok to burn sawdust!)
Oh, speaking of fires - there a major fire at chicken factory in my locality yesterday - Western Brand.
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