Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren
Poll na mBrón · Poll na mBrón Dolmen
Neolithic (4200–2900 BCE)·Irish Neolithic·🇮🇪 County Clare, Burren, Ireland
About
About Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren
Burren's icon excavated by Lynch & Otway 1986–88, radiocarbon 3800–3200 BCE, with 33 individuals and grave goods. Recorded context — Period: Neolithic (4200–2900 BCE); Culture: Irish Neolithic; Field status: excavated; Materials: limestone; Condition: preserved — consolidated 1986.
Why it mattersKey Irish Neolithic megalithic with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Elite residence
- 02Territorial marker
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. 4200 BCE portal; burials c. 3800–3200 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic (4200–2900 BCE)
- Culture
- Irish Neolithic
- Purpose
- Portal dolmen — earliest Burren megalith, collective burial for 33 individuals
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1927
- Excavation
- Excavated
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren
c. 4200 BCE portal; burials c. 3800–3200 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren
On the ground
Structures & features
53.0480° N · 9.1390° W · 110 m · 3 mapped features
- Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — Principal Standing Stonestanding stonestanding stone at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — subsidiary complex53.0462° N · 9.1393° W
- Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — hydraulic feature53.0477° N · 9.1406° W
- Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — Southern Cairncairncairn at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Burren — subsidiary complex53.0477° N · 9.1387° W
Gallery