Gortnaleck Court Tomb facts for kids

Gortnaleck Court Tomb is a very old stone structure in County Sligo, Ireland. It is a special type of ancient burial place called a court cairn. This site is also recognized as a National Monument of Ireland. This means it is protected because it is an important part of the country's history.

What is Gortnaleck Court Tomb?

A court tomb is a type of ancient stone tomb. It was built by people who lived in Ireland thousands of years ago. These tombs usually have an open area, like a courtyard, at the front. This courtyard leads into one or more burial chambers. People likely used these tombs for important ceremonies and to bury their dead.

Where is Gortnaleck Court Tomb Located?

Gortnaleck Court Tomb is found in a beautiful part of County Sligo. It is about 2.1 km (1.3 mi) north of a famous mountain called Benbulbin. It is also about 2.7 km (1.7 mi) east-southeast of the town of Grange. The tomb sits at an elevation of 63 m (207 ft).

When Was Gortnaleck Court Tomb Built?

This ancient tomb was built a very long time ago. It was constructed during the Neolithic period. This time is also known as the New Stone Age. Experts believe it was built between 4000 and 2500 BC. That means it is over 4,500 years old!

What Does Gortnaleck Court Tomb Look Like?

The Gortnaleck Court Tomb has a central open area. This area is shaped like a circle and is about 6 m (20 ft) across. From this central court, there are two long stone galleries. These galleries were likely used as burial chambers. The gallery on the west side is about 7 m (23 ft) long. The gallery on the east side is about 5 m (16 ft) long and 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) wide.