Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex
Chalcolithic (2500-2000 BCE)·Irish Chalcolithic·🇮🇪 The Burren, County Clare, Ireland
About
About Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex
Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex in The Burren, County Clare, Ireland is a Chalcolithic (2500-2000 BCE) megalithic attributed to Irish Chalcolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal necropolis 9 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 53.0284N -9.0976E controls access to The Burren, County Clare resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey megalithic for The Burren, County Clare, illustrating Irish Chalcolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2400 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (2500-2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Irish Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2400 BCE
Initial construction of Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex main structure
c. 1103 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
53.0284° N · 9.0976° W · 103 m · 3 mapped features
Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex — Main Megalithic Feature
dromosPrimary dromos at Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
53.0286° N · 9.0969° WPoulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex — Secondary Enclosure
structureAncillary structure at Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
53.0267° N · 9.0973° WPoulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex — Outlier Rock Art Panel
enclosureOutlier enclosure panel linked to Poulnabrone Exclave Wedge Terrace — Northern Annex ceremonial landscape
53.0264° N · 9.0973° W