Hill of Tara is a small hill in County Meath, Ireland, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Dublin. Only about 500 feet (150 meters) in elevation, the hill at Tara features prominently in Irish literature and history as the ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland. High kings reigned in Ireland from A.D. 200’s to the 1100’s. But the hill of Tara has had ritual importance to people in Ireland for thousands of years. 
A single stone tool found at Tara shows that people first lived at the site 8,500 to 6,000 years ago during the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period. By the Neolithic (New Stone Age), people began living in settled communities, farming and raising animals. During that period, a large tomb was built on Tara. The tomb is known as the Duma na nGiall (Mound of the Hostages). It was built between about 3300 and 3000 B.C and was constructed of large stones covered with a low earthen mound . Over the centuries, hundreds of people were buried in the tomb itself, in the covering mound, and in scattered pits around the mound. Most of the dead were cremated, but some were buried as whole bodies. One of the later burials, dated to the Bronze Age between about 1700 and 1600 B.C., was of a young man. He was buried wearing a finely crafted necklace of jet, faience, amber, and bronze beads. The name of the tomb was given during the Middle Ages (A.D. 400’s through the 1400’s) and shows what people believed about the ancient mound’s purpose.
During the Iron Age in Ireland, after 500 B.C., Tara became the focus of more elaborate public rituals centered around people of high status. Several structures were built beginning around 145 B.C. An earthen bank and ditch, known as the Ráith na Ríg (Fort of the King) surrounding the summit was built at this time. The structure surrounds two smaller round enclosures and a standing stone known as the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny). According to medieval legend, the stone was said to cry out when a true king of Ireland was crowned. 
A nearby earthen structure called the Ráith na Seanadh (Fort of the Synods) has three circular banks and ditches. A rectangular feature called the Tech Midchúarta (Banqueting Hall) provided a ceremonial approach to the summit of the hill. Several other monuments, including burial mounds, are scattered throughout the surrounding landscape of Tara. Archaeologists have discovered ancient Roman artifacts around these structures. Although Ireland was never part of the Roman Empire, the artifacts show Ireland had widespread contacts and trade in ancient times.
Large-scale construction on Tara largely ended after A.D. 100, but the site continued to hold symbolic importance. Cormac mac Airt, a legendary figure described as ard rí (high king) in later medieval documents, was said to have ruled at Tara during the A.D. 200’s. However, there is no evidence that anyone ever lived at the site, which was used mainly for ritual in this period. Scholars point out that if he really existed, he would not have ruled from Tara but rather from his everyday residence. In the 600’s, an important political dynasty (family of rulers) called Uí Néill began to expand their rule in Ireland. To gain legitimacy, they claimed Tara was the ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland. Irish rulers continued to claim the title of king of Tara for hundreds of years. However, the title, though it sounds impressive, did not necessarily give a king authority over other kings. The last person to claim to be high king was Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O’Connor), who died in 1198. Tara continued to be an important symbol in Irish political life into current times.
