Ireland's largest prehistoric hillfort settlement discovered in County Wicklow. Over 600 suspected house platforms identified at Brusselstown Ring Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age occupation confirmed Potential water system discovered, possibly first of its kind in Irish hillfort
Over 600 house platforms discovered at Brusselstown Ring! This Late Bronze Age settlement from c. 1200–400 BC is the largest nucleated settlement ever found in Britain & Ireland. 🏰
Key facts:
- Over 600 suspected house platforms identified at Brusselstown Ring using airborne surveys and Lidar
- Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age occupation confirmed (c. 1210–780 BC)
- A cistern and potential water management system discovered — possibly the first of its kind in an Irish hillfort
- Part of the Baltinglass Hillfort cluster with up to 13 large hilltop enclosures
- Evidence of continuous use from early Neolithic through Bronze Age
Key Facts
- Over 600 suspected house platforms identified at Brusselstown Ring
- Late Bronze Age and early Iron Age occupation confirmed
- Potential water system discovered, possibly first of its kind in Irish hillfort
- Part of Bolton Glass Hillfort cluster with up to 13 large hilltop enclosures
- Evidence of continuous use from early Neolithic through Bronze Age
- Settlement emerged around 1200 BC
- Largest nucleated settlement ever discovered in prehistoric Britain and Ireland
- Two widely spaced ramparts encompassing the enclosure
- Radiocarbon dating shows houses of all sizes occupied contemporaneously
- No material evidence for wealth differentiation or social hierarchy
Related site: Brusselstown Ring — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: LIVE: Prehistoric Archaeology News From Around the World by The Prehistory Guys