Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Ancient Temple Complexes at Navan Fort

[Judi Lynn]

JULY 26, 2020

Archaeologists conducting research at the Navan Fort in County Armagh, Northern Ireland have discovered evidence for consecutive temple complexes dating from the Iron Age.

The Navan Fort (Emain Macha in old Irish), is one of Ireland’s proposed royal sites and capital of the Ulaidh, that was documented during the medieval period as one of the five capitals of the five fifths that divided Ireland.

According to Irish mythology, the fort was also the seat of Chonchobhar mac Nessa, the king of Ulster in the Ulster Cycle and was described in the epic saga Táin Bó Cúailnge about the exploits of Cú Chulainn and Conal Cernach.

The fort lies at the heart of the ‘Navan complex’, which includes the Haughey’s Fort (an earlier hilltop enclosure), the King’s Stables (an artificial ritual pool) and Loughnashade (a natural lake that has yielded votive offerings) and consists of a large bank and ditch circular hilltop enclosure which also contains a small circular mound and a ring barrow.



More:
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/07/archaeologists-discover-evidence-of-ancient-temple-complexes-at-navan-fort/134393

[Sherman A1]

1. Cool

I was planning my first trip to Ireland this year and of course that idea is out the window now. Wanted to visit some of the ancient sites, some genealogical sites for my family and really see the west coast of the island for the great photography opportunities.

Maybe someday.........