Submerged Harbour of Newfield Well
Newfield Well
Mississippian (800–1600 CE)·Mississippian·🇮🇪 County Kerry, Ireland
About
About Submerged Harbour of Newfield Well
Submerged Harbour of Newfield Well in County Kerry, Ireland is a Mississippian (800–1600 CE) submerged city attributed to Mississippian culture. Systematically investigated through ground-penetrating radar and coring, it presents a principal enclosure with workshop zone. UNESCO World Heritage context. Construction employs mudbrick on stone socle and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Mississippian submerged-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function as ceremonial vs domestic centre
- 02Chronology and phasing of monuments
Theories
- 01Defensive refuge and tribal capital
- 02Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
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. 1150 CE
- Period
- Mississippian (800–1600 CE)
- Culture
- Mississippian
- Purpose
- Defensive and administrative
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1150 CE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 1276 CE
Major enlargement and wall circuit added
c. 1486 CE
Peak occupation and regional prominence
1969
Scientific excavation and conservation
On the ground
Structures & features
51.1311° N · 8.5436° W · 1730 m · 4 mapped features
Temple Platform
alignmentAncillary settlement associated with main monument
51.1282° N · 8.5461° WAncillary Complex
reservoirPrimary submerged city at Submerged Harbour of Newfield Well — platform mound
51.1321° N · 8.5427° WNecropolis Extension
cisternBurial zone — shaft tombs
51.1282° N · 8.5422° WShrine
alignmentAncillary settlement associated with main monument
51.1309° N · 8.5448° W