A recently discovered large hilltop settlement could challenge the theory that the Vikings built the first towns in Ireland, says researcher Dr. Dirk Brandherm. His team identified over 600 suspected houses at Brusselstown Ring, making it the largest known nucleated settlement in prehistoric Britain and Ireland.
Located at the Baltinglass Hillfort Cluster in the Wicklow Mountains, this settlement dates back to around 1200 BC amidst the Late Bronze Age. It consists of structures from the Neolithic to Early Bronze Age.
The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, describe Brusselstown Ring as an exceptional site with complexities that suggest it was more than a simple village; it may represent a proto-town predating the Vikings by 2,000 years.
Dr. Brandherm highlighted the significance of the site's density and design, with many roundhouses concentrated in one area. Previous archeological views suggested the existence of only small hamlets before Viking arrival, but this discovery could shift that perspective dramatically.
Among the site’s notable features is a stone-lined chamber believed to be a water cistern, potentially marking the first of its kind in Ireland, further emphasizing the community's advanced planning and resource management. The ongoing excavation seeks to uncover more about the community's structure, social organization, and the timeline of occupation, aiming to deepen the understanding of prehistoric life in Ireland.
Located at the Baltinglass Hillfort Cluster in the Wicklow Mountains, this settlement dates back to around 1200 BC amidst the Late Bronze Age. It consists of structures from the Neolithic to Early Bronze Age.
The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, describe Brusselstown Ring as an exceptional site with complexities that suggest it was more than a simple village; it may represent a proto-town predating the Vikings by 2,000 years.
Dr. Brandherm highlighted the significance of the site's density and design, with many roundhouses concentrated in one area. Previous archeological views suggested the existence of only small hamlets before Viking arrival, but this discovery could shift that perspective dramatically.
Among the site’s notable features is a stone-lined chamber believed to be a water cistern, potentially marking the first of its kind in Ireland, further emphasizing the community's advanced planning and resource management. The ongoing excavation seeks to uncover more about the community's structure, social organization, and the timeline of occupation, aiming to deepen the understanding of prehistoric life in Ireland.
