Eightercua facts for kids
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Eightercua is an amazing ancient site in County Kerry, Ireland. It's a special row of four tall stones, sometimes called a stone alignment or stone-row. This ancient monument is located about 1.5 kilometers south-east of Waterville, County Kerry.
Archaeologists believe Eightercua was built around 1700 BC, which means it's about 3,700 years old! People think it was used for important ceremonies or as a burial place long ago.
Contents
Eightercua: An Ancient Stone Mystery
Eightercua is a type of megalithic monument. This means it's made from very large stones. It's not just a random group of rocks; it was carefully planned and built by people from the Bronze Age.
What Makes Eightercua Special?
The site features four huge stone slabs. The tallest stone stands about 9 feet (or 2.7 meters) high. Imagine how much effort it took to move and set up such massive stones without modern machines!
The Stone Row
The four main stones stretch for about 25 feet (or 7.6 meters) in an east-west direction. This alignment might have been important for tracking the sun or moon, or for specific rituals.
Clues to Its Purpose
Around the main stones, archaeologists have found other clues. There are remains of what might have been an ancient tomb or burial chamber. There's also evidence of an old enclosure. These findings suggest that Eightercua was a very important place for ancient people. It likely had a special religious or ceremonial purpose.
Legends and History
Like many ancient sites, Eightercua has its own fascinating stories. Local tradition says that Eightercua is the burial place of a woman named Scéine. She was the wife of Amergin Glúingel, a leader of the Milesians. The Milesians were a legendary group of invaders who, according to old Irish tales, came to Ireland a very long time ago.
The Meaning of the Name
The name "Eightercua" comes from the Irish language. It might mean "the lower place" or "the lower harbor." This name helps us understand its geographical location.
