Navan Fort

Enormous circular earthwork or hill fort, 4 km/2.5 mi west of Armagh, Northern Ireland; capital and seat of the ancient kings of Ulster. Modern study of the area has uncovered evidence of Mesolithic hunters, Neolithic farmers, and members of a powerful aristocracy who lived in the area during the late Bronze Age, when the large mound was Constructed. It covered five concentric circles of massive timber posts set around a central mast, possibly a temple or palace. The structure appears to have been roofed over in 100 BC, but was later filled in with stones and burned. Beneath this lies a previous series of circular houses, possibly dating back to 700 BC.