Ballinran Court Tomb facts for kids
Ballinran Court Tomb is an ancient burial site, sometimes called the Giant's Grave. You can find it near Killowen in County Down, Northern Ireland. It sits right by the beautiful Carlingford Lough. This special place helps us learn about people who lived long, long ago.
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Uncovering Ballinran Court Tomb
In 1976, archaeologists carefully dug up this site. They did this before a road was made wider nearby. The tomb is about 60 meters (or 200 feet) from the shore of the lough.
What is a Court Tomb?
A court tomb is a type of ancient stone monument. It was built a very long time ago, often for burials. These tombs usually have an open area called a 'court' at the front. This court leads into a long stone passage, or 'gallery'.
Exploring the Tomb's Design
The Ballinran Court Tomb has a very long gallery, over 12 meters (about 40 feet) long! This passage runs from north to south. At its northern end, it opens into a round-ish open space called a forecourt.
Sadly, the original stone mound (called a cairn) that once covered the tomb is gone. The stones that lined the edges of the mound are also missing.
Special Stones and Sections
The tomb once had two large stones at its entrance, called portal stones. These stones would have stood tall like a doorway. Today, only a broken piece of one stone remains in its original spot.
The long gallery inside the tomb was divided into many sections. It had at least five or six parts, separated by stone sills and upright stones called jambs. Imagine it like a series of small rooms or chambers.
What Was Found Inside?
When the archaeologists dug, they didn't find any complete human remains. However, they did find some small pieces of burnt bone, which were likely human. They also found three small pieces of flint, a type of stone used for tools.
In a small pit inside the tomb, they discovered a 'nest' of winkle shells. Winkles are small sea snails. These shells were placed there later, after the tomb was first used. It's a mystery why they were put there!
