A new book which details archaeological excavations carried out 50 years ago at the Mound of the Hostages (Duma na nGiall) on the Hill of Tara, Co Meath, describes a significant level of burial activity at the site over a period of almost 2,000 years.
According to the author of the report, Dr Muiris O'Sullivan of the department of archaeology at UCD, the site was used to bury at least 300 "high-class" individuals over a period from 3400BC to 1600BC.
The site was first excavated in 1955, when it was overseen by UCD professor of Celtic archaeology Sean O Riordain.
Following his death, his successor at UCD, Ruaidhri de Valera, directed the final season of excavation at the mound in 1959.
Among the features of a tomb surrounded by the mound are examples of megalithic art and a collection of burnt and unburnt human bone, representing hundreds of individuals.
These are accompanied by a "rich array" of artefacts, some of which are decorated.