Archaeological Survey Uncovers ‘Routes for the Dead’ in Ireland Using Laser Technology
An archaeological survey using LiDAR technology has revealed hundreds of previously unknown prehistoric monuments in the Baltinglass landscape of County Wicklow, Ireland. The survey, conducted by James O’Driscoll of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, almost doubled the number of known archaeological sites in the landscape.
Among the most significant findings are five previously unknown ‘cursus’ monuments. These long, relatively narrow earthwork enclosures are typically defined by an enclosing bank with a ditch on the outside. While relatively well-known in Britain, they are poorly documented in Ireland.
According to O’Driscoll, the discovery of the cursus monuments is particularly significant as they are incredibly rare in Ireland. Using his new data, the archaeologist was able to demonstrate that at least four of the five newly identified cursus monuments were aligned with important solar events linked to yearly farming cycles, as well as death and rebirth.
This suggests that the cursus monuments may have been ceremonial monuments used in burial practices, where the cursus marked the physical route in which the dead moved from the living into the afterlife.
In addition to casting light on their purpose, the cursus discoveries could also help to fill a chronological gap in the settlement record of the area. According to O’Driscoll, the new monuments suggest that the Baltinglass landscape remained an important region for developing farming communities in the region during the Neolithic (or New Stone Age) archaeological period.
The study’s findings provide an explanation for the function of cursus monuments in Ireland and allow us to understand the ritual and ceremonial practices of our ancestors who lived over 5,000 years ago. It is the first focused investigation of this monument type in Ireland and provides a platform for future study, including excavation and scientific dating of these monuments.
