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                                Inis Fail / Island of Destiny / Eriu / Erinn / Eire / Hibernia / Scotia / Eire Land / Ireland.

                                                                           Seanchus of Celtic Ireland - 1

                                                                                 5000000 BC - 20000 BC

5,000,000 BC Sedimentary rocks were formed under the sea to begin to create the Country that is now known as Ireland.

4,000,000 BC Ireland was then formed by two parts that were originally separate that came together under the cover of the Ocean with one part floating all the way up from the African region.

3,500,000 BC The Limestone base was then formed in Ireland on these submerged land - masses.

3,200,000 BC Muddy Deltas and Swamps began to form on the Limestone base eventually producing the Sandstone and Coal deposits that were to make up more of the Country of Ireland.

2,500,000 BC The Mountains in Ireland formed during this period in time.

2,000,000 BC Ice Age Glacial Interludes began in Ireland with periodic Warm and Cold periods ahead.

500,000 BC It was during this period in time that the Gortian Interlude, a much Warmer Period occurred, which saw the introduction of Birch, Fir, Grass, Heather, Holly, Elder, Oak, Pine and Yew creating the forests in Ireland.

200,000 BC The Munsterian Interlude, which was another Colder Period occurred that was to last for 70,000 years, which covered the whole of Ireland with Ice.

130,000 BC The Glenavian Interlude now occurred in Ireland, which was another Warmer Period that was to last for 60,000 years.

125,000 BC Ireland finally became the actual island that it is now with the Seas by then reaching their present level.

100,000 BC During this period great sheets of Ice where covering most of Northern Europe while In the highlands and the lowlands of western France and Spain the pre - historic hunters who existed there at that time were still living in caves.

70,000 BC The Midlandian Interlude or another Cold Period occurred that was to last once again for 60,000 years. Ice Sheets covered the northern part of Ireland, with grasslands and woodlands covering the lower parts and Arctic Fox, Bears, Giant Elk, Lemmings, Reindeer, Wolves and Woolly Mammoths also active in Ireland during this time.

38,000 BC Homo Sapiens (Modern Humans) were active during this period in Africa and the Middle East.

37,000 BC The Hengelo Interstadial another Warmer Interlude occurred that was only to last 2,000 years.

35,000 BC As the Hengelo Interstadial came to an end, Homo Sapiens (Modern Humans) became more dominant dispossessing the Neanderthals throughout Eurasia.

34,000 BC The Aurignacian Culture first made their appearance in France.

30,000 BC During this time the Denekamp Interstadial, another Warm Phase, occurred, and early hunters were to reach as far as Italy, Portugal, North Africa and Spain, and in more modern times two graves fro this period would be discovered at Cueva Morin covered by mounds.

30,000 BC - 15,000 BC Sea levels were beginning to once again drop 130 metres / 426’ and Ireland became part of Europe once more.

27,000 BC The Aurignacian Culture originating 7,000 years before disappeared in France, where it was replaced by the Gravettian Culture and the Denekamp Interstadial that this time had lasted for 3,000 years ended, and the climate began to Cool once more especially in the - mid to high latitudes.

23,000 BC The Gravettian Culture was by now mainly centred on Central and Eastern Europe where they were hunting the Mammoths and they spread out towards the west and also to the south into Greece, Italy, the south of France, Spain, Portugal, Britain and eastwards as far as the Urals.

20,000 BC At this time the territory that is now known as the British Isles where mainly covered in a thick sheet of Ice during the maximum expansion of the polar Ice Caps, and sea levels were also 120 metres lower then they are today. The Soltruean Culture then appeared in France as opposed to the Gravettian Culture, which was elsewhere in Europe.

+On to Seanchus of Celtic Ireland - 2

Situated on the western bank of the Hunter River, midway between Muswellbrook and Denman the doorway to the Heart of Australia's "Horse Capital" in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales., Australia.

John & Sue Markham

RAINBOW FARMS 603 Roxburgh Road., Muswellbrook., 2333.

02 65 479 100 - Fax: 02 65 479 102 E - Mail: www.rainbowfarms@bigpond.com