Archaeologists Discover Largest Cluster of Prehistoric Houses in Ireland

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in County Wicklow, Ireland, where they have identified what could be the largest cluster of prehistoric houses ever found in Britain and Ireland. This finding challenges previous records, as the Mullaghfarna site in County Sligo was previously considered the largest, with over 150 houses from the middle Stone Age and later Bronze Age periods.

The newly uncovered settlement, part of the Baltinglass hillfort cluster, is believed to have contained over 600 houses during the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, approximately between **3700 and 800 BC**. Researchers from **Cambridge University** have described this region, which features up to 13 large hilltop enclosures, as a “necklace” of hills at the southwestern edge of the **Wicklow Mountains**.

Significant Findings and Historical Implications

The Baltinglass hillfort cluster shows evidence of continuous use and monumental construction from the Early Neolithic period through to the Bronze Age. Within this cluster, the **Brusselstown Ring** stands out, featuring two widely spaced ramparts that encompass the enclosure. Airborne surveys suggest that the Brusselstown Ring could contain over 600 suspected house platforms, with **98** located within the inner enclosure and the remaining **509** situated between the inner and outer enclaves.

According to **Cherie Edwards**, an author of the study published in the journal **Antiquity**, this site, along with a few other nucleated settlements located on hilltops, appears to have emerged around **1200 BC**. The discovery implies that the development of early urban centers in northern Europe may have occurred nearly **500 years earlier** than previously believed.

Excavation Insights and Future Research

Archaeologists conducted targeted excavation trenches over house platforms, which varied in size from **six to twelve metres** in diameter. This research aimed to explore potential correlations between house size and indicators of social differentiation. Dr. Edwards emphasized that the settlement clearly dates to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, representing a nucleated or agglomerated site characterized by a high density of dwellings.

In addition to the house platforms, a unique structure was uncovered near one of the trenches. This feature, outlined by large stones and with a flat interior, suggests it may have functioned as a water cistern. Previous surveys indicated that a stream likely flowed into this structure from uphill, marking it as potentially the first of its kind found within an Irish hillfort.

As researchers continue to investigate the Baltinglass site, the implications of these findings could reshape the understanding of prehistoric life in Ireland and Britain. The evidence points to a complex society with advanced construction techniques and potential urban planning, inviting further exploration into the region’s ancient history.