Ring fort may have held Bronze Age sports arena [ Ireland ]

Irish Times ^ | February 25, 2010 | Michael Parsons

[SunkenCiv]

A mysterious ring fort in Co Tipperary holds "massive potential for discoveries" according to archaeologists who have carried out the first survey of the site. Their initial findings suggest that the site may have been used for Bronze Age sporting contests in an arena that is the ancient equivalent of Semple Stadium. Archaeologists have long been curious about the origins of the Rathnadrinna Fort located about 3km south of the Rock of Cashel -- one of Ireland's most important heritage locations and seat of the High Kings of Munster. The unusually large and distinctive landmark is still subject to many of the traditional taboos surrounding fairy forts. Archaeologists say that many people in rural areas still believe it is unwise to enter a fairy fort or to cut down perimeter trees or vegetation... But while the "average run-of-the-mill fairy fort" is ringed by one defensive perimeter ditch, "Rathnadrinna Fort is quite rare because it has three rings". Despite the historical significance of the landscape, the fort has never been excavated... O'Brien said that "none of the traditional evidence associated with ring forts -- such as houses, hearths or rubbish pits -- was found". Instead, the team discovered that the site may have been first used 3,000 years ago during the late Bronze Age... the most intriguing possibility, he said, was that the "vast interior area which is much larger than most ring forts is like a sports arena". Rathnadrinna translates as the "Fort of the Contest", he added.

[SunkenCiv]

An aerial photo of Rathnadrinna Fort, about 3km south of the Rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary. Photograph: Ordnance Survey of Ireland

[SunkenCiv]

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[norton]

Got links?

[hinckley buzzard]

Despite the historical significance of the landscape, the fort has never been excavated...

I find this remarkable. How do you live with an obvious archeological phenomenon, even as university researchers, and not excavate?

[bunkerhill7]

It was a 3-ring circus.

[rdl6989]

I wonder what games were played there 3000 years ago?

[rdl6989]

How do you live with an obvious archeological phenomenon, even as university researchers, and not excavate?

That's just nuts.

[shibumi]

Ring-Ping-a-Ling

[colorado tanker]

"none of the traditional evidence associated with ring forts -- such as houses, hearths or rubbish pits -- was found".

Instead, they found remains of these strange wrappers and the dessicated remains of a food unknown to modern Ireland.

[SunkenCiv]

:’)

[SunkenCiv]

Maybe they tossed the caber. They’d have tossed their cookies, but the (pre-migration to modern Scotland) Scots hadn’t dreamed up haggis yet.

[rdl6989]

I have some Scots blood in my veins from my mother’s side, but I assure you I have no desire whatsoever to eat haggis. I guess I’m weird that way.

[SunkenCiv]

Do we *have* to post another pic of Helen Thomas? ;’)

[SunkenCiv]

Haggis we’re possibly related, and definitely share views on that dish.