Archaeologists Uncover Largest Cluster of Prehistoric Houses in Ireland

Archaeologists have discovered what may be the largest cluster of prehistoric houses ever found in Britain and Ireland. This significant finding was made in the Baltinglass hillfort cluster, located in Co Wicklow, where researchers unearthed evidence of over 600 houses dating from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, approximately between 3700 and 800 BC.

Previously, the largest known cluster of ancient settlements in Ireland was at Mullaghfarna, an archaeological site in Co Sligo. Mullaghfarna is believed to have housed over 150 houses during the middle Stone Age (circa 3300-2900 BC) and later in the Bronze Age (around 1200-900 BC). The recent findings in Wicklow suggest a much more extensive settlement pattern, indicating a significant development in prehistoric urban planning in northern Europe.

Significance of the Baltinglass Hillfort Cluster

The Baltinglass hillfort cluster comprises up to 13 large hilltop enclosures, forming a “necklace” of hills on the southwestern edge of the Wicklow Mountains. According to researchers from Cambridge University, the site shows signs of continuous use and monumental construction from the Early Neolithic through to the Bronze Age, spanning from 3700 to 800 BC.

Among the notable features of this cluster is the Brusselstown Ring, a unique structure characterized by two widely spaced ramparts. Airborne surveys indicated that this enclosure could contain over 600 suspected house platforms. Specifically, it is estimated that 98 platforms lie within the inner enclosure, with an additional 509 located between the inner and outer enclosing elements. This positions the Brusselstown Ring as the largest clustered hillfort settlement discovered to date in both prehistoric Ireland and Britain.

Implications for Understanding Prehistoric Urban Development

The findings challenge previous perceptions of urban development timelines in Europe. Cherie Edwards, an author of the study published in the journal Antiquity, noted that the site, along with a few other nucleated settlements on hilltops, likely emerged around 1200 BC. This suggests that early city development in northern Europe may have occurred nearly 500 years earlier than previously believed.

Dr. Edwards further explained that excavation trenches were meticulously placed over house platforms of varying diameters, ranging from six to 12 metres. This approach aimed to explore potential correlations between house size and indicators of social differentiation. The settlement clearly dates back to the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, specifically between 1193-410 BC, and is characterized as a nucleated or agglomerated site with a high density of dwellings.

In addition to the house platforms, archaeologists uncovered a unique structure near one of the trenches. This structure features a flat interior outlined by large stones, leading researchers to hypothesize that it may have been a water cistern used during the Bronze and Iron Ages. If confirmed, this would represent the first known water cistern in an Irish hillfort, further underscoring the complexity and sophistication of these prehistoric communities.

The discoveries at the Baltinglass hillfort cluster not only enrich the historical narrative of prehistoric Ireland but also provide invaluable insights into the societal structures and urban planning of ancient communities in this region.