Earthwork Ancient City
Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE)·Iron Age·🇮🇪 County Kerry, Ireland
About
About Earthwork Ancient City
Earthwork Ancient City in County Kerry, Ireland is a Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) ancient city attributed to Iron Age culture. Systematically investigated through photogrammetry and fieldwalking, it presents a central mound with hydraulic works. Construction employs rubble core with facing and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Iron Age ancient-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function as ceremonial vs domestic centre
- 02Cause of abandonment and collapse
Theories
- 01Astronomical observatory and calendar
- 02Trading entrepôt and regional hub
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 608 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Iron Age
- Purpose
- Agricultural and hydraulic
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 608 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 353 BCE
Secondary construction phase
c. 329 CE
Abandonment and gradual burial
1959
Archaeological identification via aerial survey
On the ground
Structures & features
51.8878° N · 8.4101° W · 1576 m · 4 mapped features
Shrine
gatewayPrimary ancient city at Earthwork Ancient City — megalithic chamber
51.8886° N · 8.4090° WRock Art Panel
rampartHydraulic feature — well
51.8869° N · 8.4086° WAncillary Complex
shrinePrimary ancient city at Earthwork Ancient City — platform mound
51.8854° N · 8.4127° WAltar
hydraulicHydraulic feature — canal
51.8883° N · 8.4108° W