Overview

Clonmacnoise was among the busiest, most economically complex, and intensely sacred places in early medieval Ireland. In Animals and Sacred Bodies in Early Medieval Ireland: Religion and Urbanism at Clonmacnoise, John Soderberg argues that animals are the key to understanding Clonmacnoise’s development as a thriving settlement and a sacred space. At this sanctuary city on the River Shannon, animal bodies were an essential source of food and raw materials. They were also depicted extensively on religious objects. Drawing from new theories about the intersections between religion and economics, John Soderberg explores how transformations emerging from animal encounters made Clonmacnoise a sacred settlement and created the sacred bodies of early medieval Ireland.

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9781793630391

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Reviews

Ireland's early medieval monastic centers, particularly the large ones like Clonmacnoise, enable an understanding of early Irish Christianity, the early Irish economy, and the church's role in society. Soderberg's study demonstrates that daily life and practice--e.g., the tasks of provisioning food to the monks, clerics, craftworkers, and laborers at monastic settlements--are as significant as the decisions and machinations of abbots, bishops, and kings. This book, exploring the intersections of religion and economy in early medieval Ireland, and beyond, will be a key publication.--Aidan O'Sullivan, University College Dublin

Author Information

John Soderberg is visiting assistant professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Denison University.

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