Flint tools from the dawn of time and an ancient blue glass bead have been uncovered by archaeologists excavating a portal tomb in Northern Ireland for the first time in 50 years.
The team are thrilled with the discoveries yielded by Tirnony dolmen near Maghera.
Portal tombs, which are among the oldest built structures still surviving in the province, are usually off limits to archaeologists as preservation orders protect them from intrusive processes such as excavations.
However the dolmen collapsed earlier this year due to weathering and the affects of tree roots. Before repairs are carried out, the archaeologists have the chance to unearth the secrets held in the tomb for 5,500 years. Cormac McSparron, who is from the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen's University Belfast, which is working with DoE archaeologists, said: “We expected to find evidence of human burial, but the nature of the soil has caused any bones to decay completely. But what we have found is grave goods placed in the tomb with the bodies.
“We have found several different types of flint tools — a couple of really fine flint knives and flint scrapers placed into the tomb with the personal possessions of the deceased, presumably for them to take with them into the afterlife.”
Pottery bowls dating from around 3,500 or 3,600BC were also found. Mr McSparron said there was also evidence for later use of the tomb.
“It became a centre of local interest and a ritual centre coming into almost the Christian era, and we have found a really beautiful blue glass bead dating to 200-300AD which would have been placed into the tomb, probably as a pendant rather than a necklace,” he said.
Author: Linda Stewart | Source: Belfast Telegraph [November 04, 2010]