Burial Tombs Flashcards
Court cairn
A tomb consisting of two sections
-A gallery (this would have originally been covered) and a courtyard
Describe the covered chamber in a court cairn
Divided by upright stones and sills orlintels creating doorways between spaces. Outside, a semi circular area created a formal entrance or ceremonial area. The cremated remains of the dead were placed inside the covered gallery
What was the open courtyard (court cairn) used for
Ceremonial purposes
What is a court cairn covered by
A mound of small stones called a cairn
Name an example of a court cairn
Creevykeel court tomb, Co Sligo
From what year is creevykeel court tomb from
4000-2500 BC
Why were dolmens identified as tombs
Because human remains from cremations and burials were found within them, along with stone age artefacts
How are dolmens constructed
Between three and seven stone legs supporting one or two large capstones.
The stones at the back of the tomb are generally lower than those at the front. Some archaeologists believe that this suggests the capstones may have been dragged up an earthen ramp to rest on the uprights.
A second stone which lies on the ground at the rear of the monument was likely a second capstone which would have fitted under the main capstone and covered the back of the structure.
The tomb was built on a limestone pavement and surrounded by a low mound of rocks. This mound of rocks would have added support to the upright stones, which are otherwise only supported by the weight of the capstone.
Why are dolmens also known as portal dolmens
Because the entrance can look like a doorway
Where can examples of dolmens be found
Poulnabourne in the Burren Co Clare
Describe the limestone flagstones
They were used to build the monument and would have been exctracted from the surrounding limestone pavement
What did excavations reveal
In the 1980s, they revealed the remains of 21 people in the tomb chamber
