Drumclay Cranng: The life and times of a Fermanagh lake-dwelling |

Conference | September 27 2014 | Some photos

Originally posted online on 27 September 2014 at rmchapple.blogspot.com
(http://rmchapple.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/drumclay-crannog-life-and-times-
of.html)
I'm just back home in Belfast after a fantastic day in Enniskillen at the Drumclay
Cranng: The life and times of a Fermanagh lake-dwelling conference. I'm hoping to
put together a comprehensive set of posts covering all the lectures given, but in the
meantime, here are a selection of my photos from the day:

The amazingly skilled wood worker was part of a living history display
 His lathe is foot powered!

An example of his remarkable work

 The Lady with the Spinning Thread!
Living history reenactor showing the use of distaff and spindle whorl
Ricardo the bone & antler worker's table
 Dr. Nra Bermingham: Weaving together the excavation results

Have you ever heard 200 people simultaneously say 'wow'?

You would have today as Caitrona Moore delivered
Investigation of what the cranng inhabitants made, used and discarded
 Ricardo's bone combs - including a reproduction of the
Drumclay bird-headed example

Prof. Aidan O'Sullivan (L) and Nora Bermingham (R) talk

combs with Ricardo
Nora Bermingham discusses spinning
Ricardo surveys his handiwork
How meta is this? Me photographing Nora Bermingham photographing
Ricardo holding the replica of the Drumclay bird-headed comb!

Two wood experts meet! Cathy Moore talks to the woodworker,

 Nora Bermingham gets a masterclass in comb making

Dr. Eileen Reilly: Dirt, hygiene and health on early medieval settlements.
Perhaps right after lunch wasn't the right time for this!
 Dr. Emily Murray delivers Farming and animals

Ian Riddler delivered an amazing insight into medieval life and what
your comb says about you in: Teasing apart the bone and antler objects
 The Man in Black: Prof. Aidan O'Sullivan speaking on
Why people chose to live on lakes and why Drumclay is the best
waterlogged site in the world!

Final words: Dr John O'Keeffe draws together the strands of the

day's papers and provides some final thoughts!
I just want to thank the organisers and presenters of this conference for all their hard
work to produce such a great day ... there's so much to think about. Knowing how
slowly I write, it may be a while before I can present any detail on who said what.
Until then, I hope these snaps help convey some of the excitement and exhilaration
of the day!