Knockmaree Dolmen facts for kids
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Phoenix Park, near Dublin |
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| Coordinates | 53°21′3″N 6°20′26″W / 53.35083°N 6.34056°W |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
The Knockmaree Dolmen, also called the Knockmaree Cist, is a very old burial site. It dates back to the Neolithic period, which was the New Stone Age. You can find it in Phoenix Park, close to Dublin, Ireland. People sometimes call it Knockmary or Knockmaroon Dolmen, or Cnoc-Maraidhe.
Contents
What is the Knockmaree Dolmen?
This ancient tomb sits on a small ridge. It is a type of burial chamber called a cist. Cists are often found along the south and east coasts of Ireland. The Knockmaree Dolmen was built between 3000 B.C. and 2500 B.C.
The tomb has a large stone on top, called a capstone. This capstone is about 1.96 meters (6.4 feet) long and 1.05 meters (3.4 feet) wide. Smaller stones hold it up. The capstone looks worn by water. Experts think it might have come from the nearby River Liffey.
How Was It Discovered?
The Knockmaree Dolmen was found in 1838. Workmen were removing a large mound of earth, known as a tumulus. This mound was about 15 feet (4.6 meters) high and 120 feet (36.6 meters) around.
In the middle of this big mound, they found the stones you can see today. They also found four other cists in the outer parts of the mound. The Royal Irish Academy studied the remains. George Petrie later gave a report about their findings.
What Was Found Inside?
Inside the main burial chamber, which was about 1.20 meters (3.9 feet) long and 0.60 meters (2 feet) wide, two male skeletons were found. They were almost complete. The men were likely around 40 and 50 years old when they died.
Other items were found with the skeletons. These are called "grave goods." They included many small sea-shells with holes in them. These shells, from a species known as Nerita litoralis, probably formed a necklace. A flint knife was also found. In the other cists, people found an urn and food vessels. There were also small pieces of burnt bone and ashes.
What is a Linkardstown Burial?
The Knockmaree Dolmen is known as a "Linkardstown burial." This name comes from a similar ancient grave found in Linkardstown, near Carlow. There are several such burials in Ireland. They often have mounds of similar sizes. These tombs are usually found on hilltops or other high places.
