4,000-year-old timber circle found in Tyrone

BBC ^ | Aug 15, 2009 | Unknown

[decimon]

The remains of a timber circle from more than 4,000 years ago have been uncovered by archaeologists in County Tyrone.

The timber circle was found by the Headland Group near Ballygawley in 2006/2007 as part of an excavation project linked to the A4 and A5 road improvements scheme.

Project Officer at Headland Archaeology, Kirsty Dingwall, said radiocarbon dating had confirmed it was from around the middle of the third millenium BC, "although some elements of it may be earlier".

"The specific use of timber circles are not well understood but it is thought that they were used as ritual sites, perhaps for feasting or for commemorating the dead," she said.

"The find is very significant for archaeology and for Northern Ireland in particular, as very few timber circles have been fully excavated.

"It might seem that stone circles are more common as they survive better, but we are learning more and more about this type of site and how widespread they were.

[decimon]

Tyrone’s power ping.

[Dysart]

I wooden rush to judgment on the meaning of all this as it could be more than a feasting site, etc. Perhaps a meeting place for a government, as just one possible explanation. Just think if they had Obamacare back then they might still be around to fill in the gaps.

[decimon]

Just think if they had Obamacare...

I think they more likely sacrificed the young and healthy. Perhaps the elderly were left to fend for themselves.

[Hot Tabasco]

I wooden rush to judgment on the meaning of all this as it could be more than a feasting site, etc

Or it could have been the party site for me and my buddies in the summer after H.S. graduation...........wonder if they found any beer bottle caps?

[USMCPOP]

You wouldn’t believe all the ancient Popsicle sticks I once found in the crack of the couch in the den one time.

[decimon]

You wouldn’t believe all the ancient Popsicle sticks I once found in the crack of the couch in the den one time.

You could have avoided that with older girlfriends.

[USMCPOP]

You wouldn’t believe all the ancient Popsicle sticks I once found in the crack of the couch in the den one time.

You could have avoided that with older girlfriends.

Experience is a harsh teacher indeed.

[SunkenCiv]

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[bigheadfred]

I’d just as soon find popsicle sticks. Older GF’s come with strings attached...

[blam]

[decimon]

Thanks. I thought I’d included the pic but I guess I pooched that.

[Fred Nerks]

lots of circles in Tyrone County:

[blam]

They did like their circles.

[Nikas777]

FreeRepublic has the best list on the net of such topics.

I was hooked ever since I saw ‘In Search Of with Leonard Nimoy’.

This forum provides a fix for my ‘In Search Of’ addiction!

[Joe 6-pack]

"I wooden rush to judgment on the meaning of all this..."

If only they had a branch manager who had kept a log we might better understand the root meaning of this circle. As it is, it leaves much speculation for those of us who pine for an answer....

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Fred Nerks, great find as always.