Neolithic Period

Question 1

When was the Neolithic Period?

Answer 1

4000 BC - 2000 BC.

Question 2

Give three reasons archaeologists could tell that farming was starting to take place?

Answer 2

• They found less pollen from trees and more from grass.
• Found pollen from crops that had to be planted from seed.
• Found bones of sheep and cattle that date to this time.

Question 3

Who were the Neolithic people?

Answer 3

Farmers.

Question 4

Weapons made from?

Answer 4

Stone (Duh!- It is the New Stone Age after all). Flint and porcellanite.

Question 5

Where and when did farming begin?

Answer 5

Mesopotamia (modern Iran & Iraq) in 8000 BC.

Question 6

Why did Neolithic people become more settled?

Answer 6

Because farming provided them with a steady supply of food and they had to stay put to care for crops and animals.

Question 7

As well as using flint for tools and weapons, what else did the Neolithic people use?

Answer 7

Porcellanite (made good axe-heads).

Question 8

How do we know Neolithic people travelled and traded?

Answer 8

Porcellanite tools made form stone quarried in Antrim were found all over Ireland and Britain.

Question 9

Where is Lough Gur?

What did we find there?

Answer 9

Co. Limerick.

Traces of Neolithic farmhouses.

Question 10

How did Neolithic people make their homes?

Answer 10

Thick planks of wood put in the ground formed the frame which branches were then weaved through. Wattle and daub was then used and a roof of thatched reeds with a hole in it (for a chimney) was put on the house.

Question 11

Inside the house there was…

Answer 11

One room and a space in the centre for an open fire. Dark and smoky as hole in roof was the only chimney.

Question 12

What skills did they have?

Answer 12

Clothes, pottery and farming.

You will need to look in your book to find more info on each of these

Question 13

Where were the Céide Fields?

What was found there?

Answer 13

Co. Mayo.

Evidence of people living and farming there from 4000 - 3000 BC. Bog that grew over fields has preserved evidence well.

Question 14

What was the average height for both genders?

Answer 14

Male- 1.7m.

Female- 1.6m.

Question 15

Why did Neolithic people build go to so much trouble to build tombs for their dead?

Answer 15

They believed in an afterlife.

Question 16

Name the three different Neolithic tombs and give a brief summary on each.

Answer 16

Court cairns- Passage leading to central chamber. Earliest type of tomb. Name from court outside.
Dolmens- Capstone on top of upright stones. Poulnabrone dolmen, Burren, Co. Clare.
Passage tombs- Like big court cairns. Cremated remains here. Newgrange, Co. Meath.

Question 17

Where and when was Newgrange built?

Answer 17

Co. Meath on a bend in the River Boyne.

Between 2675 and 2485 BC.

Question 18

Name three discoveries made at Newgrange

Answer 18

Artwork, corbelled roof, the roof box.

Find more info on these points on your book

Question 19

What day does light shine through the roof box a Newgrange?

Answer 19

On 21st of December (winter solstice or shortest day of the year).

Question 20

Name some possible reasons why Newgrange was built.

Answer 20

It was used as a tomb for sure.
Maybe only important people were buried there.
Temple to honour sun gods?

Question 21

What does Newgrange tell us about the people who built it?

Answer 21

They were skilful builders. 
They understood movements of sun and astronomy. 
Very artistic. 
Believed in afterlife. 
Had great respect for their dead.