Turf or peat bogs began developing in Ireland more
than 8000 years ago.
After the last ice Age, when the climate warmed a little,
plants began to grow on top of shallow lakes and on poorly
drained mountainsides. When the plants died there was not
enough oxygen in the waterlogged areas for them to rot
properly, so layers of leaves, stems, flowers, seeds
and fruit accumulated. They compacted
with the weight and made what we now call peat.
There were two types of bogland, raised bogs that developed
on Lake Basins and blanket bogs that spread over vast areas of
poorly drained soil. Raised bogs are mainly found in the
midlands, and can beup to 40ft deep. Blanket bogs are found
in the wetter parts of Ireland, mostly in the west and aremuch
thinner rarely more than 20ft thick. The lack of oxygen in bogs
enables almost anything to be preserved. Lots of remains have
been preserved
in this way, tools, weapons, and jewellery have
all been found. Even human bodies have
been found, mostly from the 17th and 18th centuries. |