While some pundits claim NI has never left the dark ages, the Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots has just launched a new book about what life was like in Northern Ireland over the last 6,000 years.

The publication by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) of 'Battles, Boats & Bones – Archaeological Discoveries in Northern Ireland 1987-2008' uncovers forgotten stories and unknown facts that will appeal to young and old alike.

The Minister said: "The book's six chapters highlight some of the unknown stories of our past and give an in-depth and unique understanding of Northern Ireland's heritage which is for everyone to enjoy.

"With themes varying from homes to waterways, technology to industry, conflicts to deaths, it contains many interesting details of our ancestors' lives stretching back as far as the Early Neolithic period, which everyone will find fascinating.

"Readers can enjoy stories such as those of the largest Bronze Age village in Ireland, the oldest tidal-powered mill in the world, how the bricks that built Belfast were made and past evidence for terrible diseases such as leprosy."

He said that 'Battles, Boats and Bones' publicises new information about special aspects of the lives of our predecessors and archaeological heritage which have concealed important relics and everyday remnants of our ancestors for many years.

The book has been complied from articles written by many contributors and is edited by Emily Murray of the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at QUB and Paul Logue of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. It is available to buy now from TSO Ireland at a cost of £10.

(BMcC/GK)