Ballinran Court Tomb

Ballinran Court Tomb (sometimes known as the Giant's Grave) is situated close to Killowen, County Down, Northern Ireland, on the shore of Carlingford Lough.[1]

Excavations took place in 1976 in advance of a road widening scheme on the site which is some 60m from the lough shore. The excavations revealed a court tomb with a very long gallery (over 12m long) aligned north-south, opening onto an approximately circular forecourt at its north end. No traces survived of the cairn or any kerb or revetment. One of the two portal-stone sockets still contained the fractured stump of the stone which had stood in it. The gallery had been segmented with sills and jambs and was at least 5 or 6 segments long.[1]

No trace of burial deposits was found in situ, although some cremated, presumably human, bone and three primary flint flakes were found.[1] A 'nest' of winkle shells were found placed in a pit as a secondary deposit in the grave.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ballinran". Excavations.ie. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  2. ↑ O'Sullivan, Aidan & Breen, Colin (2007). Maritime Ireland. An Archaeology of Coastal Communities. Stroud: Tempus. pp. 70–71. ISBN 978-0-7524-2509-2.
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