Kinship and mobility in 11th-century A.D. Gammertingen,Germany: an interdisciplinary approach

Excavation in and around a Medieval church in Gammertingen, Germany, revealed the skeletal remains of eight individuals dating to the 10th and 11th century AD. Archaeologists hypothesized that the individuals were the first members of a family later known as the Counts of Gammertingen, a medieval high nobility family. In an interdisciplinary approach, Strontium isotope and ancient DNA techniques were performed in order to test the hypothesis that the church was used as a family burial site and to investigate the provenance of family members. Seven of the eight individuals can be placed in a three-generation genealogy. The isotope analyses establish that the eighth individual had a different birthplace and possibly became a member of the Counts of Gammertingen through marriage. Further, genetic data revealed that distant relatives of the paternal lineage are still present in this area today. Thus, the combined results lead to a very detailed knowledge about a 1000-year old noble family.     

Gorad Beuno: investigation of an ancient fish-trap in Caernarfon Bay, N. Wales

Aerial reconnaissance in 1989 revealed a semicircular structure lying just off the coast at Clynnog Fawr in Caernarfon Bay, North Wales. The similarity in shape of the structure to other coastal fish-traps in the area promoted further study. Several avenues of research were followed. Historical sources were scrutinized in an attempt to find a date for the construction of the structure. A hydrographic survey was used to obtain the exact position and shape of the anomaly. A survey of the cliff and beach directly inland of the site was also made.
The anomaly was seen to lie further out to sea today than would have been the case at the time of its construction, indicating an area of coastal erosion. In an attempt to understand this process, the marine and atmospheric forces acting on the area were examined. In association with the processes of coastal erosion, soil tests were undertaken to assess the nature of the material being eroded.
Using both historical and physiological evidence it was concluded that the anomaly was indeed a fish-trap, constructed at about the beginning of the 13th century. The results from the different avenues of study have shown a sea-level rise of about 2.84 m and a cliff recession of about 118 m since its construction.     

C.S. Lewis: an Irish writer

This article examines the effect of C.S. Lewis's Irish background on his work. It attempts to contradict the assumption that this Belfast-born writer should be included in the English and not the Irish canon. It emphasises that Lewis saw himself as Irish, was seen by others as Irish, and that his Irish background, contrary to what some have written, was important to him throughout his lifetime. It goes on to demonstrate the ways in which his work was influenced by his youth in Ireland and by the Irish mythology that he loved. Furthermore, this article maintains that, as a child of pre-partition Ireland with roots throughout the island, Lewis was influenced by the country as a whole, not just his native Ulster. Finally, it attempts to understand why Lewis, a proud Irishman, did not do more to promote himself as an Irish writer.