These illustrations, by Philip Armstrong , were completed in 2010 to be used in Ruairi O’Baoills Archaeological Story of Belfast. These aerial views show the Lagan Valley area from the very earliest settlers until the 19th century. They locate important archaeological sites in the surrounding area and help to explain many of the place names so familiar to Belfast residents today.
—Info about each picture (also from Philip Armstrong)—
**Mesolithic Belfast**
This view shows the Mesolithic shoreline – considerably higher than what it is today – with the Bog Meadows flooded and the Malone Ridge forming the higher ground between it and the Lagan.
This would have been suitable locations for the hunter/gatherers and finds from this area confirm this early occupation.
**Neolithic Belfast**
By the Neolithic period the population had increased and small farms developed.
These people also built stone tombs such as cairns and portal graves and there is also evidence to suggest that there were organised settlements – shown here on the Malone Ridge.
The large circular site in the background near the Lagan is the Giant’s Ring.
**Medieval Belfast**
During this period much more land was cleared of trees and Medieval field systems appeared. Small settlements developed, particularly around defensive sites such as Norman Mottes and around the many ecclesiastical sites in the area. Dunmurry, Dundonald, Holywood and Shankill – to name a few.
Belfast was a small town at this time, developed at the ford on the river Farset and in the shelter of a Norman castle.
**Belfast in the 17th century**
By this time Belfast was an important walled town, was even building ships and was connected to the east bank of the Lagan by an impressive bridge.
Other small castles had been built at Greencastle, Castlereagh, Fortwilliam and Whitehouse and the field systems had developed into what we see today.
Belfast in the 19th century
Apart from shipbuilding, the linen trade provided much of the industry and during the Industrial Revolution of the mid 19th century it was beginning to develop from a mainly rural based production to one of the largest global exporters.
Much of the infrastructure was also built to support the linen trade, engineering, roads, housing, brickmaking as well as the other main exports – ships, tobacco and heavy engineering.
Belfast rapidly expanded to become the major industrial city in Ireland and, as a consequence, the population proliferated due to migration from not just rural Ireland but also from Scotland and England.
This aerial view shows the main mills and factories that were in production during the latter part of the 19th century and shows how the surrounding hills and the many rivers contributed to the production of linen.
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These illustrations, by Philip Armstrong , were completed in 2010 to be used in Ruairi O’Baoills Archaeological Story of Belfast. These aerial views show the Lagan Valley area from the very earliest settlers until the 19th century. They locate important archaeological sites in the surrounding area and help to explain many of the place names so familiar to Belfast residents today.
Author of the reconstructions: Philip Armstrong. [Source](https://www.philarm.com/default.aspx?pageSelect=about)
—Info about each picture (also from Philip Armstrong)—
**Mesolithic Belfast**
This view shows the Mesolithic shoreline – considerably higher than what it is today – with the Bog Meadows flooded and the Malone Ridge forming the higher ground between it and the Lagan.
This would have been suitable locations for the hunter/gatherers and finds from this area confirm this early occupation.
**Neolithic Belfast**
By the Neolithic period the population had increased and small farms developed.
These people also built stone tombs such as cairns and portal graves and there is also evidence to suggest that there were organised settlements – shown here on the Malone Ridge.
The large circular site in the background near the Lagan is the Giant’s Ring.
**Medieval Belfast**
During this period much more land was cleared of trees and Medieval field systems appeared. Small settlements developed, particularly around defensive sites such as Norman Mottes and around the many ecclesiastical sites in the area. Dunmurry, Dundonald, Holywood and Shankill – to name a few.
Belfast was a small town at this time, developed at the ford on the river Farset and in the shelter of a Norman castle.
**Belfast in the 17th century**
By this time Belfast was an important walled town, was even building ships and was connected to the east bank of the Lagan by an impressive bridge.
Other small castles had been built at Greencastle, Castlereagh, Fortwilliam and Whitehouse and the field systems had developed into what we see today.
Belfast in the 19th century
Apart from shipbuilding, the linen trade provided much of the industry and during the Industrial Revolution of the mid 19th century it was beginning to develop from a mainly rural based production to one of the largest global exporters.
Much of the infrastructure was also built to support the linen trade, engineering, roads, housing, brickmaking as well as the other main exports – ships, tobacco and heavy engineering.
Belfast rapidly expanded to become the major industrial city in Ireland and, as a consequence, the population proliferated due to migration from not just rural Ireland but also from Scotland and England.
This aerial view shows the main mills and factories that were in production during the latter part of the 19th century and shows how the surrounding hills and the many rivers contributed to the production of linen.