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A Bronze Age settlement and ritual centre in the Monavullagh Mountains, County Waterford, Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 February 2014

Michael J. Moore
Michael J. Moore
Affiliation:
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, Office of Public Works, 51 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Abstract

A complex of settlement and ritual monuments with chronological depth covering a core area of c. 4 km2 on the western side of the Monavullagh mountains in Co. Waterford is described. The morphology of the monuments is portrayed and the development of the settlement and ceremonial areas is elucidated. The ritual monuments are situated in three cemeteries or sanctuaries, one of which is united through elaborate geometric themes. This ritual geometry and the religious insights which this affords raises the importance of this complex to an international level. Analogies with similar monuments from Ireland and the upland regions of Britain are discussed. The overseas parallels demonstrate close contact throughout the Early Bronze Age with many parts of Britain, especially Wales. The unique character of the complex amongst Irish prehistoric landscapes is stressed as it fills an apparent gap in the Irish monumental record of the period.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society , Volume 61 , 1995 , pp. 191 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1995

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References

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