Unique Bronze Age Fortress Discovered In Galway, Ireland

Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com -  While carrying out fieldwork in the Burren lowlands east of Gort in Co Galway, Ireland archaeologist Michael Gibbons discovered a remarkable Bronze Age Fortress.

Gibbons says the ancient fortress he stumbles upon in the rural Galway park is one of the most extraordinary monuments of probable Bronze Age in Ireland. According to Gibbons, the site had been known previously, but its antiquity was questioned.

Scenes of the ancient Irish fortress that was discovered by archaeologist Michael Gibbons in Co Galway. Credit: RTÉ News, YouTube

He told RTÉ News that his recent survey of the area indicates that the fortress dates back to between 800 and 1200 BC, adding that it is a unique structure that could have housed hundreds of people at a time.

“Gibbons compared the size of the large fortress to Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mhór of the Aran Islands, describing it as a giant-like dwelling set in a magical landscape. He added that the Galway fortress utilized the turloughs in a very special way,” the Irish Central reports.

As reported by the RTE News, “much of it is covered in dense woodland but he hopes that further research and analysis off LiDAR data from aerial surveys will reveal many Bronze Age round houses within the ramparts.

Describing it as an incredible find, the CEO of Muintearas, Seán Ó Coistealbha, said it is a huge addition to the archaeology of the area.

The fortress is located within Coole Park. Credit: RTÉ News, YouTube

"Enormous work would have gone into constructing it by men and women in ancient times," he said.

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"There is a wealth to be discovered yet. We are just skirting around the stone boundaries of a hidden civilization, or a hidden population, or a hidden era in the past of Ireland."

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer