Artefacts from two of the Carrowmore satellite tombs have been dated to approximately 3700-3600 BC (Bergh and Hensey forthcoming), coinciding with grain growing as well as forest disturbance and clearance in the Sligo area (Stolze et al. 2012). After 250-300 years, it seems this primarily horticultural society underwent a change in fortunes. In the area of Loughmeenaghan, Sligo, 20km south of Listoghil, a shift towards pastoral farming, and away from wheat growing, coincided with exceptionally dry conditions between 3650 and 3560 BC. This period concluded with a downturn in weather (colder and wetter conditions are indicated), at around the probable time of the building of Listoghil c.3550 BC (Burenhult 1998a, 6-8; Cooney et al. 2011, 656). After this time, human activity, although of a less intense character, continued at Loughmeenaghan (Stolze et al. 2012).
Substantiation for ritual specialism, perhaps an intensification of such specialism in the Carrowmore context, flowing from the archaeology done at Listoghil (Burenhult 1998a) includes evidence for the de-fleshing of human remains and also carving on the chamber stones in the Neolithic era. Astronomical orientation, too, may indicate a degree of specialisation. It could be argued that the building of Listoghil, was an expression of the intensification of the involvement of a community, perhaps through appointed agents, with changing ways and changing weather. This change might go some way to explain the oft-remarked contrast between Listoghil and its satellites (Bergh 1995, 79).
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