Oct 28 2009
First Capital Of Ireland Discovered
 An artist’s impression of the hilltop fort dating from 1200 BC which was uncovered recently near Innishannon by archaeologists from UCC. Pic: Southern Star |
ARCHAEOLOGISTS believe they have discovered what may have been Cork’s ancient capital, built 3,200 years ago at a time when Rameses III was pharaoh of Egypt.
A team of archaeologists from UCC, led by Professor William O’Brien, have carried out extensive research that sheds new light on what is the largest prehistoric monument in Co Cork and the oldest dated ring fort in the country. Their three-year project, funded by the Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social |
Radiocarbon dating shows that the ring fort was constructed about 1200BC confirming it as the oldest known prehistoric ring fort in Ireland, according to Prof O’Brien. This puts its importance on a par with prehistoric sites such as Dún Aengus on Inishmore and Mooghaun, Co Clare.
Archaeologists have concluded that several thousand timber posts surrounded the ancient structure, known as the “cathair”, which enclosed nearly 20 acres — enough space for today’s developers to construct about 300 houses.
It would have taken hundreds, if not thousands, of people to construct it and may have been built in a matter of months.
“The antiquity and immense size of this monument suggests that it was one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the south-west region, and arguably Cork’s first capital. This is a particularly significant site. It dates from some 500 years before the Celts arrived in Ireland, so it was built by the indigenous Irish. Its antiquity and size, covering about eight hectares, suggest it was one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the south west.” said Prof O’Brien.
The outer defense walls had a perimeter of more than one kilometer and were built with wattle fencing. These were erected behind a dug-out ditch defense.
The original hillfort entrances were located on the western side of the hillfort, where a gated passageway was found in the palisaded bank of the inner enclosure,
said Prof. O’Brien, adding
that the use of timbers in the palisade may have given rise to the local townland name.
“The townland name for the area is Clashanimud – the trench of the timbers – and the discovery of these massive timber fences around the hill raises the intriguing possibility that the townland name, Clashanimud may be connected to this Bronze Age site.”
The inner timber defense, built entirely of solid oak, was 800m at its perimeter.
Archaeologists discovered evidence that part of the inner palisade fence had been burnt, which Prof O’Brien and his team believe
“was a deliberate act of war”.
The people who built the ringfort may have been slaughtered.
At any rate their kingdom seems to have disintegrated as no efforts were made to repair the fort and it was never inhabited again.
Originally posted 2008-11-25 10:52:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
