Archaeologists uncover possible Viking “capital” in Ireland

Archaeologists have discovered a Viking settlement in Ireland that could prove to be the largest ever found in the country.

According to Arkeonews, excavations at Woodstown in southeastern Ireland have uncovered the remains of a massive structure believed to have served as a centre of power and trade more than 1,000 years ago.

The research is being conducted on the banks of the River Suir near Waterford. An international team of Irish and Norwegian archaeologists is examining the building, which was previously identified through geophysical surveys. Preliminary findings suggest it was a Viking-era longhouse or great hall.

The Woodstown settlement was first discovered in 2003 during preparations for the construction of a bypass road. Researchers believe it existed between approximately 850 and 950 AD and functioned as a fortified Viking centre. Unlike Dublin and Waterford, the site was not built over in later centuries, allowing it to remain largely undisturbed.

Previous excavations uncovered defensive ditches, trade and craft artefacts, and the burial of a high-ranking warrior. The latest discovery suggests the settlement may have been far larger and more organised than previously thought.

According to researchers, halls of this kind served not only as residences but also as venues for assemblies, trade, storage of valuables, and political negotiations. Among the finds are silver-weighing scales, metal-smelting crucibles, and evidence of metalworking, indicating that Woodstown was integrated into an extensive Viking trading network.

Archaeologists hope further excavations will help determine the true scale of the settlement and clarify its role in the history of the Vikings in Ireland.

By Jeyhun Aghazada