Rathgall Hillfort, Bronze Age hillfort in County Wicklow, Ireland
Rathgall Hillfort is a prehistoric fortified settlement in County Wicklow surrounded by multiple stone walls that form distinct rings. The layout reveals separate areas designed for dwelling, storage, and specialized work.
The settlement began in the Bronze Age and remained occupied for several centuries as residents developed advanced metalworking skills. Excavations show it was eventually abandoned before later cultures moved into the region.
The inner sections show traces of workshops where people made and used bronze items in daily life. These spaces reveal how important metalwork was to the community that lived here.
The site is publicly accessible and protected as an Irish National Monument with maintained walking paths. Wear sturdy shoes as you walk over grassy terrain and navigate around the stone structures.
Excavations uncovered tens of thousands of pottery pieces scattered across the site, revealing how densely populated the area once was. This scale of remains suggests the settlement thrived for generations.
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