Mystery surrounds Burren settlement excavated by archaeologists

[Judi Lynn]

Mystery surrounds Burren settlement excavated by archaeologists

Evidence of 160 huts and two labyrinthine enclosures for spiritual or ritual gathering

Sat, Apr 30, 2016, 01:00 Updated: about 15 hours ago

Lorna Siggins

When a prehistoric people built a large settlement in the Burren up to 3,000 years ago, why did they choose a mountain-top with no running water? Was it the closest point to a sky god, or was the location selected for some type of ancient gathering or “Dáil”?

“Truly one of the most enigmatic places in Irish prehistory” is how NUI Galway (NUIG) archaeologist Dr Stefan Bergh describes the exposed summit of Turlough Hill in northeast Clare.

His team secured Royal Irish Academy funding for a three-week excavation of a settlement of some 160 circular huts, bordered by a large burial cairn and two large labyrinthine enclosures of stone.

Turlough Hill, overlooking Galway Bay to the north and west and the Slieve Aughty mountains to the east, is the only Burren summit to have evidence of hilltop residence. It is one of only two of its type on the island, with the second being in Co Sligo.

Whereas a typical prehistoric settlement comprises two or three dwellings, this is the size of a “housing estate”. Blue gentians are currently blooming within the foundations of the huts built across two halves of the summit footprint.

More:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/mystery-surrounds-burren-settlement-excavated-by-archaeologists-1.2629951

[Bohunk68]

1. I find it surprising that the writer of the article

seemed to think that building on a hill was unusual. Aren't most settlements? Except for those that were to control fords.

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. Ariel Photo of Burren mountain plateau

Don't forget the settlement was at the top

[raging moderate]

3. Safety from attackers.

You can see them coming sooner, and you can repel them more effectively.

[Warpy]

4. Since there were no defensive structures, that's unlikely

More likely is some sort of convocation, called on a hilltop so it could be seen from a distance and everybody would know how to find it.