Megalithic Tombs

These surveyed sites show that Megalithic Tombs were built in places where the horizon shape matched cyclical rising and setting positions of sun and moon.

Every tomb examined has proven to be sited in accordance with the same basic astronomical principles as the Bronze Age Cork-Kerry Stone Circle Complex. The only significant differences are due to evolution of the techniques used to get horizons to match the required criteria. It has become clear that the earlier sites were chosen to minimise the effects of a largely wooded landscape but in later times this was less of a problem.

Court Tombs only occur in Ireland, mostly in the northern half, and belong to the Neolithic, c.4000-3500 BC. They usually have an open court at the broader end of a curbed trapezoidal cairn that covers the burial chamber(s). Evidence indicates that they were repeatedly used for burials (mostly cremations) over a long period of time. All the examples included here are in the southern half of the island. They are generally smaller than the more typical examples further north and would be regarded as late examples of the genre.
Passage Tombs are Neolithic and very widespread along the Atlantic coasts of Europe. They consist of a round (usually kerbed) mound which covers a burial chamber that is reached by a passage. The burials were mostly cremations.
Most Irish ones are in the north of the country and belong to the period c.3300-2900 BCE. Some of the simpler ones at Carrowmore date back to c.4000 BCE. They are commonly sited on high ground to enable views of distant horizons with a minimum of woodland clearance.
Portal Tombs belong to the Neolithic and are found in Wales and Cornwall as well as Ireland. Irish ones have been placed in the period c.3800-3200 BC. There is a single chamber and in simple tombs a single roof slab is supported by a tripod that consists of two portals and a backstone. Larger versions may have additional sidestones that help to support an additional roof slab. The roof slabs are often very large and set at a steep angle. There may or may not be a cairn covering or partially covering the megalithic stones. Cremation was the preferred burial rite. The only two in County Cork form a complementary pair, each providing what the other lacks. They also have interesting similarities. In both cases, there is an obvious cleared local territory.
Wedge Tombs only occur in Ireland and belong to the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age, c.2500-2000 BCE. As their name suggests they are wedge shaped, with the front of the tomb higher and wider than the rear. Simple ones have a back slab, two side slabs and a single roof slab. Larger ones have multiple slabs, sometimes with additional outer-walling and / or more than one chamber. The entrance may have been closed but they are usually found open.
Long Barrows are a form of Neolithic chambered tomb that are found in England. They are similar to Passage Tombs in that they have a long internal passage but are contained within a long trapezoidal mound rather than a circular one.

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