megalithic tombs

megalithic tombs. The most visible remains of Ireland's Neolithic communities are the megalithic tombs (from the Greek: megas, great; lithos, stone). These tombs are popularly referred to by a range of names including ‘dolmen’, ‘giant's grave’, and ‘cromlech’, but it is more correct to refer to them as ‘megaliths’ or ‘megalithic tombs’. The tombs are associated with a communal burial rite, both cremation and inhumation being practised. Most tombs would have been covered by a mound of earth (barrow) or stone (cairn). There are four distinct tomb forms, each architecturally defined: court tomb, portal tomb, passage tomb, and wedge tomb.

The court tomb is defined by the semi‐circular court‐like area at the entrance to a gallery divided into several burial chambers. There are around 400 tombs, located mainly in the northern half of the country. In the dual court tomb at Audleystown, Co. Down, the remains of over 30 individuals were discovered together with pottery and flint tools.

Portal tombs are architecturally the simplest of the tomb types. They are defined by two tall portal stones at the entrance and a lower back stone that hold a massive roof stone, creating a single burial chamber. Nearly 200 portal tombs are known and these are also mainly distributed in the northern half of Ireland. The best known is that at Poulnabrone on the Burren in Co. Clare, where recent excavations revealed the remains of 20 individuals, including a newborn baby. An arrowhead was found embedded in the hip bone of an adult male.

Passage tombs are defined by a passage, lined by large stones (orthostats), leading to one or more burial chambers within a circular mound, often edged with more large stones. They are sometimes grouped into ‘cemeteries’ and their distribution is mainly in the north and east of Ireland. They have many parallels in western Britain, in Scotland (particularly the Orkneys), and in Brittany, Spain, and southern Scandinavia. The most famous example is Newgrange, Co. Meath, where for a short period during the midwinter solstice, the rising sun shines through the roof box and down the passage to illuminate the burial chamber. A feature of passage tombs is the carvings or art (including arcs, spirals, circles, and lozenges) on some of the stones. The meaning and significance of this artwork is unclear.

Wedge tombs, of which there are around 500, represent the largest group of megaliths, and are mainly concentrated in the south and west of Ireland. They are wedge‐shaped, being taller and wider at the entrance and becoming shorter and narrower towards the back of the tomb. One of the best known is Labbacallee, Co. Cork. The occurrence of these tombs in areas of copper ore outcrops has prompted some archaeologists to suggest they are associated with early metal‐workers.

Neolithic burials are not only found in megalithic tombs, but have also been discovered on settlement sites, in caves, and in cists (stone‐lined graves) known as Linkardstown tombs. The latter appear to be the focus for the interment of small numbers of individuals and single inhumed adult males.

Megalithic tombs, particularly the more elaborate forms such as Newgrange, illustrate not only great engineering skills, but also considerable organizational capabilities. The development of sophisticated tombs and burial types may reflect increasing social stratification and complexity in Neolithic society.

Sinéad McCartan