New Discovery May Challenge Theory Vikings Built First Irish Towns
A recently uncovered large hilltop settlement could potentially rewrite history by challenging the longstanding belief that the Vikings were the first to establish towns in Ireland. Dr. Dirk Brandherm, a key member of the research team, and his colleagues have identified over 600 suspected houses within the Brusselstown Ring, marking it as the largest nucleated settlement discovered to date in prehistoric Britain and Ireland.
Key Details About the Brusselstown Ring
– Time Period: The settlement is believed to have emerged around 1200 BC during the Late Bronze Age.
– Location: It is situated within the Baltinglass Hillfort Cluster in the southwestern Wicklow Mountains.
– Significance: This settlement is one of the 13 large hilltop enclosures in the mountain range, featuring structures dating back to the Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages.
Findings and Implications
Recent excavations, conducted between August 23 and September 4 by a team including PhD researcher Cherie Edwards, have revealed fascinating insights. Their findings were published in Antiquity, a respected peer-reviewed journal:
– The study cites the exceptional size, occupation density, and architectural complexity of the Brusselstown Ring, positioning it as a singular case within both the Baltinglass hillfort cluster and the broader Atlantic Archipelago.
– While survey work has been performed over the last two decades, many critical questions surrounding the date, development, and function of the settlement remained unanswered until now.
Insights from Dr. Dirk Brandherm
Dr. Brandherm, a reader in prehistoric archaeology at Queen’s University Belfast, emphasizes the astonishing concentration of roundhouses in this settlement, which contradicts the previously held notion that Bronze Age structures typically consisted of small hamlets (one to five dwellings):
– In 2002, the discovery of approximately 74 roundhouses at the Corrstown excavation in Northern Ireland was recognized as the first village from that era. However, Dr. Brandherm asserts that the Brusselstown Ring represents a different ball game altogether.
– He describes the over 600 roundhouses and the existence of a potential large stone-built cistern as evidence of a proto-town predating the Vikings by roughly 2,000 years.
Architectural Features
– Ramparts: The settlement is encircled by two expansive ramparts (defensive walls), making it one of the few hillforts in Europe to span more than one hill.
– House Platforms: Aerial surveys suggest that 98 house platforms are situated within the inner enclosure, with over 500 located between the two ramparts. Dr. Brandherm notes that preliminary data indicates all house platforms date to the same period.
A Noteworthy Discovery: The Cistern
A stone-lined, flat-floored chamber, described by Dr. Brandherm as boat-shaped and larger than an average roundhouse, was also discovered near one of the trenches. It appears to have been fed by a stream from an uphill outcrop, possibly serving as a water cistern for fresh water. Further analysis will determine if this cistern dates back to the same period as the roundhouses, potentially marking it as a first in Ireland, similar to structures from the Bronze and Iron Ages found in France and Spain.
Excavation Process
To better understand the site’s occupation, the archaeological team conducted four test excavations ranging from six to twelve meters in diameter, representing house platforms of different sizes. Dr. Brandherm notes:
– Smaller houses measured approximately four to five meters in diameter, while larger ones were about 11 to 12 meters.
– The variation in house sizes raises questions about potential social or economic stratification within the community, though current data does not confirm a social hierarchy.
Conclusion
The Brusselstown Ring not only challenges the theory that Vikings built the first Irish towns but also provides a wealth of new information about prehistoric life in Ireland. Following this groundbreaking discovery, future research will aim to clarify the nature and dating of the cistern, identify structural features of the prehistoric roundhouses, and further unravel the complex history of this significant settlement.