Despite its harsh appearance today, the Burren once supported large numbers of people who left behind more than 2,500 archaeological sites.
Dolmens are a type of portal tomb which consists of three or more upright stones supporting a large, flat, horizontal capstone. The capstones always lean towards one side which allows for an opening at the high end. Used as a tomb, human remains were interred inside and the entrance sealed with smaller stones. Within the Burren area there are about 70 of these tombs. Of these, two are classified as portal tombs. Of these the portal tomb at Poulnabrone is considered the best-preserved in Ireland.
Poulnabrone Dolmen:
The Poulnabrone Dolmen marks the burial for about 33 people, including at least six children. Radiocarbon dates suggest that the tomb was used between 3800 BCE and 3200 BCE. This portal tomb is situated in a karst limestone plateau, 150 meters (almost 500 ft.) above sea level. The investment of labor in constructing the Poulnabrone Dolmen and its continued use over a long period of time, suggest to archaeologists that the tomb was a powerful symbol for the community.
The tomb was constructed with two tall portal stones flanking the entrance to a rectangular stone-lined chamber. A single large capstone, weighing about 1.5 tons, covers the chamber. A low oval-shaped cairn of loose stone surrounds the tomb and helped to stabilize the chamber. The dramatic tomb structure was designed to be the main visual focus of the site.
An artist’s concept of a ceremony at the Poulnabrone Dolmen is shown above.
Archaeological excavation at the Poulnabrone Dolmen site was carried out between 1986 and 1988. These excavations found that at least 33 individuals had been buried in the chamber. The individuals included both males and females and infants and children as well as adults. The archaeological evidence shows that the tomb was used for secondary burials—that is, the bodies were initially buried or allow to decompose elsewhere before being transferred to this tomb.
The personal possessions which were buried with the dead included a polished stone axe, a decorated bone pendant, stone beads, quartz crystals, chert and flint weapons and implements. Drawings of these artifacts are shown below.
At the time the Poulnabrone Dolmen was constructed the landscape was very different than it is today. There were open pine forests with some elm and hazel and there were limited areas of open grassland. Much of today’s barren terrain is the result of extensive soil loss in later prehistoric times.
The early farmers lived in rectangular wooden houses (see artist’s concept shown above). Their subsistence economy was based on raising crops (wheat and barley) and raising domesticated animals, primarily cattle. Hunting, fishing, and bird hunting were also important subsistence activities.
Caherconnel Ringfort:
The Caherconnel Ring Fort is one of about 500 ringforts in The Burren. While ringforts are basically enclosed homesteads which are associated with farming during the Early Medieval Period (5th to 10th centuries CE), there are some which date earlier than this.
Shown above is an artist’s conception of what the site would have looked like.