Archaeology
Introduction to the Archaeology Collections
The Department of Archaeology is responsible for collecting, preserving, displaying and researching material relating to the history of the people of Ireland from earliest times to the 16th century AD.
Found Something?
The Department is very keen to hear from members of the public, especially from anyone who has found something or who wants to have an object identified. While the staff of the Department will readily give advice on objects, they cannot give evaluations.
Image: Medieval wooden churn lid found in 2005 at Garvaghullion, Co Tyrone, during mechanical drainage of bogland. It was donated to the Ulster Museum by the finder.
Access to the Collections and related information
The collections are available to researchers and students (guidelines for access), and are also available on loan to appropriate institutions for display purposes.
If you require information on the collections or for an environmental impact assessment please contact:
Stone Age
The Stone Age is divided into three different periods:
Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age)
Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age)
Neolithic (New Stone Age)Europe ’s first people are known as Palaeolithic (Old Stone Age) hunter-gatherers. These people first settled in mainland Eur...
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Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is the term used to cover the time when people first discovered and used metal. In Ireland, the Bronze Age is sub-divided into:
Early Bronze Age (2500 - 1500 BC)
Late Bronze Age (1500 - 300 BC)The Ulster Museum's Bronze Age collections include bronze tools and weapo...
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Iron Age
The Iron Age is the time when iron was first used for metal tools and weapons, although bronze was still commonly used. This time is also associated with the arrival of Celtic-speaking peoples into Ireland who practised a very distinctive art style. The museum's collection of Iron Age...
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Early Medieval Ireland
The coming of Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century marked the beginning of the early medieval period. A Christian civilization came into being and great works of art were produced. But Ireland was drawn painfully into the Viking world and society saw radical change. The period ended with a ...
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Late Medieval Ireland
The Norman invasion in the 12th century marked the beginning of the late medieval period. Ireland became a prize for the English crown and was subject to English settlement. But the conquest was incomplete, and the two societies maintained a difficult co-existence. The period ended with the...
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Ask an Expert
If you would like further information about this collection you may contact the
curator by following this link and
completing the short form.