Can anyone tell me what these are?

mallards

They are on top of a small mountain quite near a described stone circle and a burial mound. There are three of them in a sort of North west, South east line. The stone circle, these things and the burial mound are all on a East/West alinement about equal distance apart. The sit in a hollow on top of the mountain and are square shaped. I think only myself knows of them as the farmer doesn't and there family have been there a long long time.













Mallards

Cailleachdubh

They look like small megalithic structures and are possibly small passage tombs, such as the ones seen at the megalithic cemetry at Sliabh na Caillí, Loughcrew, Co. Meath (see attached). Did you notice any internal pattern of upright stones resembling a passage? You should check the stones for megalithic art if you get a chance. They might be part of a larger prehistoric cemetery complex related to the nearby burial mound.

mallards

The first and last one have a square shaped hole or pit in the middle. Which made me think they were fulachta fiadh. But when we were clearing whin bushes from the land we came across lots of heaps of stones near these features.



There are four or five stone circles nearby also.



Thanks for the info, I will check at the weekend for any artwork on them.

Mallards

DeepSleeper

Tell us the townland and we might be able to find some information - might find more than can be determined from the photos. Send it by PM if you don't want to post it for all to see...

mallards

PM sent.

Thanks,

Mallards

boneless

Something about them is reminding me of Booley huts/houses, but I could be way off the mark. These are the remains of structures used by herdsmen while putting cattle on summer pasture in the hills. They are mainly medieval.

There was an article in Archaeology Ireland a few years back, but I am unable to locate it.

Maybe somebody here has access to it?

mallards

Thanks Boneless, they could very well be that. I always though the space inside was too small for someone to live in them but the walls could have collapsed in making them look like that. There is also a very large earth ráth quite near, so they might all be linked.
Thanks again.

mallards

Riamfada

mallards wrote: »

Thanks Boneless, they could very well be that. I always though the space inside was too small for someone to live in them but the walls could have collapsed in making them look like that. There is also a very large earth ráth quite near, so they might all be linked.
Thanks again.

mallards

any chance of a townland name or a google map location? They all seem located on local high points and exposed.

Rodin

Looks like South Armagh

Riamfada

Rodin wrote: »

Looks like South Armagh

My guess is Tyrone.

mallards

Yip, East Tyrone at the foothills to the Sperrins.

Mallards

enfield

Is there a 'bo' in the townland name?

mallards

No, It's a few miles south of the beaghmore stone circles.

Thanks Mallards.

sensibleken

In the second picture they look like a court tomb. The fact they are in tyrone would suggest this rather than passage tombs although i wouldnt dismiss that

mallards

Could be, Creggandevesky is very near it.

Mallards

moreandmoran

mallards wrote: »

Thanks Boneless, they could very well be that. I always though the space inside was too small for someone to live in them but the walls could have collapsed in making them look like that. There is also a very large earth ráth quite near, so they might all be linked.
Thanks again.

mallards

there defintly noy booley huts..some form o robbed passage tomb or court cairn???