Archaeologists uncover structures possibly serving as 'Pathways for the Dead'

Archaeologists uncover structures possibly serving as 'Pathways for the Dead'
28 Apr 2024

In a significant archaeological breakthrough, ancient structures believed to be "pathways for the dead" have been discovered in Baltinglass, County Wicklow, Ireland.

The research was led by Dr. James O'Driscoll of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

Utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, which uses lasers to map terrain and reveal hidden structures, five such monuments were unearthed.

These structures are thought to originate from the middle Neolithic era — between 8000 BCE to 2000 BCE.

What are these newly discovered structures?
Monument details

The unearthed structures, known as cursus monuments, are essentially earthworks made up of trenches/ditches that stretch across the landscape.

They vary in size from 122 to over 183 meters long, with the largest extending 400 meters.

O'Driscoll suggests these sites may have been used as ceremonial routes for mourning or transporting the deceased to the afterlife.

This theory is based on their alignment with the morning sun during summer solstice, and proximity to other ancient burial sites.

LiDAR technology instrumental to the discovery
Technological aid

The application of LiDAR technology was instrumental in this discovery.

The method involved an aircraft emitting laser pulses toward the ground, enabling O'Driscoll to identify structures characteristic of cursus monuments.

An Irish aerial survey company conducted a LiDAR scan of the area in 2022.

Alongside cursus monuments, other previously unknown structures like a Bronze Age hillfort and medieval ringforts were also found.

The discovery challenges previous assumptions about Baltinglass's history
Historical revision

This cluster of cursus monuments is believed to be the largest in both Ireland and Britain.

The discovery challenges previous assumptions about Baltinglass's history, suggesting it was not deserted for around 2,000 years between the Early Neolithic and Late Bronze Age as previously thought.

The findings underscore the intricate relationship between daily life, farming, and spiritual beliefs in ancient societies.

They offer new insights into the complex cultural as well as spiritual practices of Neolithic and Bronze Age communities.