Antynanum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antynanum |
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|---|---|
| County | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Northern Ireland |
| Fire | Northern Ireland |
| Ambulance | Northern Ireland |
| EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
Antynanum is a small area of land, known as a townland, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It's part of a larger historic area called the barony of Antrim Lower and the civil parish of Racavan. This townland covers about 450 acres, which is roughly the size of 340 football fields!
The name Antynanum comes from the Irish language. It is thought to mean "The church of the soul."
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People in Antynanum
Antynanum was a quiet place for a long time. However, its population grew quite a bit during the 1800s. More people moved to the area, and more houses were built.
| Year | 1841 | 1851 | 1861 | 1871 | 1881 | 1891 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 41 | 51 | 53 | 64 | 56 | 56 |
| Houses | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 17 |
Ancient History: The Court Tomb
One of the most interesting things in Antynanum is a very old monument called a court tomb. It is a special type of burial place from the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age. This was a time when people first started farming, about 4,000 to 2,500 years before Christ.
What is a Court Tomb?
A court tomb is a large stone structure built for burials. It usually has an open area, or "court," at one end. This court leads into one or more burial chambers. These tombs were often covered by a mound of stones called a cairn.
The Antynanum Court Tomb
The court tomb in Antynanum is a very important historic site. It is set within a large cairn, which is a pile of stones. This cairn is about 60 to 70 metres long, running from east to west. At its western end, the cairn is about 3 metres tall.
At the west end of the cairn, there is a semicircular "court." This open area would have been used for ceremonies or gatherings. From the court, you can enter a long gallery, which is about 7 metres long. This gallery has two chambers inside, where burials would have taken place. Today, these burial chambers are mostly filled with stones from the cairn.
At the eastern end of the cairn, there is another, smaller tomb. This one has a single chamber and a large stone called a capstone that used to cover it. The capstone has moved from its original spot over time.
This ancient monument gives us clues about the people who lived in Antynanum thousands of years ago. It shows how they buried their dead and what was important to them.
