Archaeologists Discover Largest Cluster of Prehistoric Houses in Ireland

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in County Wicklow, Ireland, that could redefine our understanding of prehistoric settlements in Britain and Ireland. Evidence suggests the existence of the largest cluster of prehistoric houses ever found, surpassing the previous record held by the Mullaghfarna site in County Sligo.

The Mullaghfarna site, dated to two significant periods—the middle Stone Age from 3300-2900 BC and the later Bronze Age from 1200-900 BC—was believed to comprise over 150 houses. The newly uncovered site, located in the Baltinglass hillfort cluster, is estimated to contain more than 600 houses and dates back to the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, specifically from 3700-800 BC.

Unveiling the Baltinglass Hillfort Cluster

The Baltinglass hillfort cluster features up to 13 large hilltop enclosures situated across a series of hills at the southwestern edge of the Wicklow Mountains. Archaeologists from Cambridge University have reported signs of continuous use and monumental construction within this area, spanning from the Early Neolithic through to the Bronze Age.

One of the standout structures within this cluster is the Brusselstown Ring, characterized by two widely spaced ramparts encircling the enclosure. Airborne surveys have indicated that the Brusselstown Ring may have had over 600 suspected house platforms. Of these, 98 platforms are located within the inner enclosure, while the remaining 509 platforms are situated between the inner and outer enclosures, establishing it as the largest clustered hillfort settlement known in prehistoric Ireland and Britain.

Cherie Edwards, a co-author of the study published in the journal Antiquity, noted that this site, along with a few other similar settlements on hilltops, likely emerged around 1200 BC. “The findings suggest that early urban development in northern Europe might have begun nearly 500 years earlier than previously thought,” Edwards stated.

Insights from Excavation

Excavation efforts have revealed house platforms of varying sizes, ranging from six to twelve metres in diameter. Dr. Edwards explained, “Excavation trenches were deliberately positioned over these platforms to explore potential correlations between house size and indicators of social differentiation.” The settlement has been confirmed to date from the late Bronze Age to the early Iron Age, specifically between 1193-410 BC, and it reflects a densely populated nucleated site.

In a notable find, archaeologists discovered a unique structure near one of the trenches. This structure features a flat interior outlined by large stones, with previous surveys suggesting that a stream may have flowed into it from uphill. Researchers propose that this could be a Bronze and Iron Age water cistern, potentially the first of its kind found in an Irish hillfort.

The significance of this discovery lies not only in its size but also in what it reveals about the social and architectural practices of prehistoric societies in the region. As research continues, the findings from the Baltinglass hillfort cluster will likely provide further insight into the development of early communities in Ireland and Britain.