Titled “Searching for Ireland’s Earliest People”, Professor Woodman will discuss how the island of Ireland was one of the last regions of Europe to be settled by people but it is also a place where the first settlement reveals an interesting story. First colonists always brings up issues as to their origin and, in the case of islands, there is often speculation as to whether the sea is a barrier or vector for early explorers. Although the 20th largest island in the world, Ireland would have presented numerous challenges for our first settlers contributing to a unique life style that differed significantly from the rest of the world.

Professor Woodman is Professor Emeritus of Archaeology at UCC.  He is a graduate of Queen's University Belfast and worked as an Assistant Keeper of Antiquities in The Ulster Museum until his appointment as Professor of Archaeology at UCC. He served as Professor of Archaeology from 1983 until 2005 and also served as Dean of Arts for seven years.

Professor Woodman’s research interests include the History of Archaeology and the Stone Age of Europe. In particular, he has worked extensively on the re-colonisation of North Western Europe since the end of the last Ice Age. In addition to excavating several key sites in Ireland, included Newferry, Mount Sandel and Ferriters Cove, Professor Woodman has also worked in the Isle of Man and Arctic Norway.
 
The lecture is part of a series of lectures celebrating 10 years of the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) in UCC.

Picture:  Professor Peter Woodman

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