Craigs Dolmen

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.[1] Craigs Dolmen passage tomb is a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Craigs, in Borough of Ballymoney, at grid ref: C9740 1729.[2]

Features

It features a big capstone on seven upright stones and [3] is wrongly assumed to be a dolmen, actually being a Passage tomb.[4] 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.[5]

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.[1]

Nearby site
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.[1]

See also

References
  1. Weir, A (1980). Early Ireland. A Field Guide. Belfast: Blackstaff Press. p. 95.
  2. "Craigs Dolmen" (PDF). Environment and Heritage Service NI - State Care Historic Monuments. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-22. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  3. "Craigs Dolmen, Rasharkin". The Causeway Coast and Glens. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  4. "Craigs Dolmen". Ballymoney Borough Council - Heritage and Environment. Archived from the original on 2007-10-12. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
  5. "Craigs Dolmen". Irish Antiquities. Retrieved 2007-12-05.

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