Creggandevesky is one of the finest Neolithic court tombs in Ireland. It was only uncovered from a covering of deep peat during excavations between 1979 and 1982, instigated after notification of clearance works due to start on the land.
The typical ‘horned’ cairn is about 18 metres long but significant amounts of stone had been removed in antiquity. Originally the narrow chambers would have been roofed with corbelling but when excavations began only a single lintel remained across the entrance.
Found within the chambers were the cremated bone of 14 people, while another 7 cremated individuals were found in the court area. Most of the cremations were found in the first chamber and under the entrance lintel. However, burial goods were found further within the two rear chambers, suggesting that unburnt burials may have been placed here. The acidic soil may have prevented the preservation of unburnt bones.
Carbon dating of charcoal from the excavations returned calibrated dates between 3,700 and 3,300BC.
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