Summary: Description of wedge tombs and examples
Key dates:
These wedge tombs form the largest group of tombs in Ireland. There are over 4,000 of them and almost all of these are in the west of the country while there are no examples in Britain. They are, however, to be found in Brittany where they are called allees couvertes.
Wedge tombs consist of long narrow burial chambers which are higher and broader at the entrance and taper towards the rear of the tomb. The entrance usually faced in a south-westerly direction. A small antechamber often precedes the main chamber and may be separated by a stone slab.
These are found on light, well drained soil and can be located as high as 900 feet above sea level.
It appears that many people were buried collectively in these tombs. Bodies were both buried and cremated. There are many examples of Neolithic pottery, flint arrowheads and even some pieces of bronze. The existence of bronze artefacts indicates that these were used over a very long period.
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