On the Periphery or the Leading Edge? Research in Prehistoric Ireland

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "On the Periphery or the Leading Edge? Research in Prehistoric Ireland," at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Insular identities are shaped by the dichotomy of social connection and physical isolation. Due to their perceived isolation, however, islands on the periphery are thought to passively receive culture, not engaging with it and experimenting with variations. At times, Irish prehistoric archaeology has been viewed as deeply integrated in broader European social changes and, at other times, divorced from Continental developments. These shifting understandings shape the ways in which we discuss the social structure and identity in Irish prehistory. When there are significant social shifts, it is considered a result of external contacts. However, this perception of periodic connection and isolation ignores the ways in which island communities function, even quite large islands, such as Ireland. Rather than a monolithic identity, within an island community, there may be variations in social development, subcultures, and social change as a result of internal developments. This session explores the ways in which Ireland is both connected and unique in European prehistoric archaeology and how island identities are shaped by these connections.