The landscape of county Clare, especially near the Burren, is racked with cashels. Cashels are built on high ground and strategically placed to observe potential danger and watch over the family's land. As you can see in the video above at the Caherconnell stone fort, it is elevated compared to the rest of the land. The inhabitants could have clearly seen their sheep grazing and watch for potential intruders. Often, stone fort inhabitants had relationships with neighboring stone fort families and would assist them in times of need, and the forts were built so that you had clear lines of site to neighboring forts. These forts were hot spots for trade and linked to wealthy inhabitants. At the Caherconnell fort, high status items such as gold, sliver, and bronze tokens, pendants, and coins have been found. Not only are ring forts a part of the cultural and functional landscape of County Clare, Ireland, but they also represent a huge part of the symbolic landscape. For many Irish people, these ring forts are a symbol of Irish pride.
No comments:
Post a Comment