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Aghnaskeagh Cairns
Carna Áth na Sceach
Aghnaskeagh Cairns is located in Ireland
Aghnaskeagh Cairns
Location in Ireland
Location Aghnaskeagh, Jenkinstown,
County Louth, Ireland
Region Cooley Peninsula
Coordinates 54°03′41″N 6°21′29″W / 54.061279°N 6.357918°W / 54.061279; -6.357918
Type chambered cairns
History
Material limestone
Founded c. 4000–2500 BC
Periods Neolithic
Site notes
Archaeologists Emyr Estyn Evans
Public access yes
Official name Aghnaskeagh
Reference no. 326

Aghnaskeagh Cairns are ancient stone structures found in County Louth, Ireland. They are a special type of National Monument. These monuments include a chambered cairn and a portal tomb. They were built a very long time ago, during the Neolithic period. This was between 4000 and 2500 BC.

Where to Find Aghnaskeagh Cairns

The Aghnaskeagh Cairns are located in County Louth, Ireland. You can find them about 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) south of Slieve Foy. They are also west of the main N1 road.

History and Discoveries

Archaeologists believe these two stone structures might have been connected. They could have formed a longer passage or gallery. This area holds many secrets from ancient times.

The Portal Tomb

The northern part of Aghnaskeagh Cairns is a dolmen, also known as a portal tomb. A dolmen is a type of single-chamber tomb. It is usually made from two or more standing stones. A large flat capstone rests on top. At Aghnaskeagh, the capstone is now missing.

  • What remains: Two tall portal stones are still standing. They are about 2.8 meters (9 feet) high. There is also a back stone.
  • Later burials: Six Bronze Age burials were added here later. These were cist burials. A cist is a small stone-lined coffin or box.
  • Archaeological finds: When archaeologists explored the site, they found many interesting items. They discovered pieces of pottery, also called potsherds. They also found cremated bone, which means bones that were burned. Food vessels and a blue glass bead were also uncovered.
  • Special discovery: Under one of the cists, they even found the remains of blackberries. These were likely placed there as grave-goods. Grave-goods are items buried with someone to help them in the afterlife.

The Chambered Cairn

The southern part of Aghnaskeagh Cairns is a chambered cairn. A chambered cairn is a mound of stones. Inside, there are one or more burial chambers. This cairn has four cists at its eastern end.

  • Archaeological finds: During excavations, archaeologists found more cremated bone and potsherds. They also discovered scrapers. Scrapers are tools made of stone. They were used for tasks like cleaning animal hides.
  • Later burial: Interestingly, another burial was made in this cairn much later. This happened during the early Christian era. This shows the site was important for a very long time.
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