The Baltinglass site in County Wicklow, Ireland, has just revealed new archaeological secrets. Thanks to Lidar(Light Detection And Ranging), an advanced telemetry technique, the site has just revealed large terraced walkways, all dating back to prehistoric times. According to the researchers, these “paths” may have served as processional routes, used during funeral ceremonies. It’s a fascinating discovery that offers a whole new perspective on the area!
When technology is combined with research, wonders can be achieved. And that’s precisely what has just happened, thanks to Lidar. Thanks to precise mapping of the terrain, archaeologists were able to uncover ancient structures dating back to the Neolithic era!
This is not the first time researchers have identified traces of human life in this period. Earlier excavations identified Baltinglass as having been occupied between the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. They discovered stone circles and two ancient forts dating back to the Bronze Age.
But there was little evidence that the site had been occupied from start to finish between these periods.
This discovery is a sort of missing link: these straight alleys bear witness to several millennia of occupation.
To date, researchers have identified up to 5 of these alleys. Difficult to identify in the midst of the vegetation, and weathered by time and the harsh Irish climate, they are nonetheless there, offering archaeologists a whole new field of study.
On closer inspection, these were terraced and laid out in a straight line. They measure between 150 and 400 metres in length, making them the most important alleys in Ireland and Great Britain!
It is estimated that 4 of these alleys face the rising sun: a well-known practice, reminiscent of other Irish prehistoric sites (such as Newgrange), which were built to be struck by sunlight at the winter solstice…
These walkways were built on the same principle as those at Stonehenge in England.
Similar features suggest that these “paths” once served as processional sites. They were probably borrowed for pagan funeral ceremonies. According to recent theories, bodies were transported along these paths before being laid to rest in burial sites (such as cairns or dolmens).
All that remains now is to prove these allegations. One thing’s for sure: Ireland still has many secrets to reveal!
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