At Navan Fort in County Armagh, geophysics revealed horseshoe and circular structures. Dr Patrick Gleeson from Queen's University Belfast called them 'ritual buildings' and 'temples' — based on non-invasive survey data. Critics say this shows pre-existing investment in a religious interpretation, with no actual evidence for prehistoric religious use.
Key facts claimed:
- Navan Fort in County Armagh, Northern Ireland is a massive hengeiform structure predating Iron Age layers
- Geophysics revealed horseshoe-shaped and nearly circular structures
- Dr Patrick Gleeson from Queen's University Belfast claimed these were 'ritual buildings constructed to be temples' based on geophysical survey interpretations
- Critics argue this shows pre-existing investment in interpreting the site as religious, with no evidence for prehistoric religious use
- Such bold statements are considered irresponsible for students and hobbyist archaeologists who trust expert authority
Sources
New finds at Navan Fort - The Pastthe-past.comAn ongoing project at Navan Fort, led by Dr Patrick Gleeson and Dr James O'Driscoll, is providing new evidence on the long-term evolution of the site.
Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Ancient Temple Complexes at ...heritagedaily.comArchaeologists conducting research at the Navan Fort in County Armagh, Northern Ireland have discovered evidence for consecutive temple complexes dating from ...
Delving Deeper into the past at Navan Fortarmaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.ukDr Patrick Gleeson, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, stated: “The purpose of these excavation is to investigate archaeological features ...
Navan Fort: Dig sheds new light on home of the Kings of Ulster - BBCbbc.comNavan Fort, a large circular earthwork on top of a drumlin, was a significant religious site during the Iron Age.
Evidence of Enormous Temples Found at Northern Ireland's Navan ...smithsonianmag.comNon-invasive survey reveals traces of Iron Age religious structures, early medieval royal residences.
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