kids encyclopedia robot

Craigs Dolmen facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Craigs Dolmen (also known as the Broad Stone) is situated three miles north of Rasharkin, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, close to a minor road, at a height of 200m on the Long Mountain. Craigs Dolmen passage tomb is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Craigs, in Borough of Ballymoney, at grid ref: C9740 1729.

Features

It features a big capstone on seven upright stones and is wrongly assumed to be a dolmen, actually being a Passage tomb. The capstone was shattered in 1976 by lightning. It was repaired in 1985 and excavation at the time showed that the chamber was the remains of a passage tomb. It was probably built before 2000 BC, but re-used for burial in the Bronze Age.

The large capstone over the entrance and the first chamber of this 3-chambered tomb was re-erected using an upright stone at the rear which probably was not an original feature. The almost semicircular forecourt faces south-east. The Broad Stone was only a popular place for meetings and assemblies.

Nearby site

Craigs Dolmen or Passage Tomb
The smaller dolmen or portal tomb north of Craigs, Co. Antrim

On the other side of the road and 800m south-west is a small passage tomb. Seven close, tall uprights support a flat capstone measuring 210x160cm. On the south-west side, two fallen stones may be the remains of a short passage. No cairn survives.

kids search engine
Craigs Dolmen Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.