Mayo -
13
Shrawee
|
Site/Artefact
Shrawee
Type
Megalithic Wedge Tomb
Site
Number
Mayo 096 02201
National Grid
Reference
079540 East
274470 North
Map (
1:50000)
Ordnance Survey Ireland,
Discovery Series, 37
List of Sites
and Artefacts
Click
Here
Interactive
Map
Click
Here
|
Shrawee Megalithic Wedge
Tomb (Photo: Christiaan
Corlett)
|
Description
Wedge tombs are the most widespread of
the megalithic tomb types found in Ireland. The one
here at Srahwee is one of the best preserved
examples in the country. Wedge tombs are so called
because of their wedge shaped plan, wider at the
entrance and gradually tapering towards the rear
(Corlett, 2000). Despite representing around a
third of the total of megalithic tombs, the number
of sites excavated is relatively small and only a
few of these have produced finds (O'Kelly, 1995).
Thus, knowledge of burial practice is scant but
cremation seems to predominate. Unburnt bone has
been found in the same chamber as cremated bone
(Waddell, 1998). The flat roof of the Srahwee tomb
was used as an altar during penal times and indeed
has a primitive incised cross on the upper surface
at the south-eastern end (Corlett, 2000). The tomb
is therefore referred to locally as
altóir (Morahan, 2001)
Excavation Details
Not Available
Access/Ownership
Clew Bay Heritage Trail
References
- Corlett, C. 2001 Antiquities of West Mayo,
Wordwell, Wicklow, pp 18, 107
- Morahan, L. 2001 Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
archaeology, landscape and people, Croagh
Patrick Archaeological Committee, Mayo, p.
31
- O'Kelly, M.J. 1995 Early Ireland, An
Introduction to Irish Prehistory, Cambridge
University Press, pp 115-117
- Waddell, J. 1998, The Prehistoric
Archaeology of Ireland, Galway, pp. 92,
95
Check out the following
sections of the website for related
information:
Other Mayo Sites and
Artefacts
|
This
project has been supported by the EU as part of the Culture
2000 programme.