Ancient Secrets Revealed: Mysterious Artifacts Unearthed at Rathgurreen Ringfort Spark Excitement in Ireland
Ever wonder if your neighborhood hangout spot was once the medieval equivalent of a five-star VIP club? Well, hold onto your history hats, because new digs at the Rathgurreen Ringfort near Galway Bay have just leveled up the site’s cool factor. Turns out, this wasn’t some random patch of dirt – it was the stomping ground for high-ranking medieval bigwigs. And as if that revelation wasn’t enough, archaeologists uncovered whispers of a past that stretches back an extra 1,000 years, pushing the timeline further into the mists of time. Imagine that—what we thought was ancient just got a serious upgrade in age and prestige! Under the watchful eyes of Dr. Michelle Comber and Dr. Noel McCarthy, a crack team of pros and eager volunteers spent eight weeks breathing life into the secrets buried beneath. The findings? Glass beads, fancy foreign pottery, and hints of purple dye production – all painting a picture of a bustling settlement with ties not just across Ireland, but to Scotland and mainland Europe too. So next time you think the west of Ireland was a sleepy backwater, think again: it was a hub of aristocrats, trade, and cultural exchange. Curious to dive deeper into the tale of this regal ringfort? LEARN MORE
New evidence confirms that the ringfort was once a settlement for high-ranking medieval figures — and parts of the site may be 1,000 years older than previously thought.
University of Galway/FacebookRathgurreen Ringfort, once a settlement for medieval nobles and rulers.
An eight-week archaeological excavation from the University of Galway has revealed that a ringfort near Galway Bay once served as a settlement for high-status rulers and nobles during Ireland’s early medieval period.
The theory about Rathgurreen Ringfort’s noble history was first proposed and investigated by Professor Michael Duignan in the late 1940s, but it hasn’t been confirmed until now. Furthermore, the new excavations have also revealed that parts of the site were, in fact, 1,000 years older than previously believed. The team that made this discovery was composed of professionals, students, and volunteers under the direction of Dr. Michelle Comber and Dr. Noel McCarthy.
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