Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier
Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)·Late Neolithic·🇮🇪 County Clare, Burren, Ireland
About
About Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier
Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier in County Clare, Burren, Ireland is a Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE) megalithic attributed to Late Neolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 6 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 53.0485N -9.1450E controls access to 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 County Clare, Burren, illustrating Late Neolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
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. 3300–2800 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic (3500–2600 BCE)
- Culture
- Late Neolithic
- Purpose
- Collective burial and territorial marker for agro-pastoral community
- Rediscovered
- 1961 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 3300–2800 BCE
Initial construction of Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier main structure
c. 1901
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1961–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
53.0485° N · 9.1450° W · 87 m · 3 mapped features
Poulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier — Main Structure
structurePrincipal megalithic — Chamber 6 × 2 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
53.0493° N · 9.1441° WPoulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
53.0475° N · 9.1457° WPoulnabrone Portal Dolmen Outlier — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with cup marks and alignment
53.0500° N · 9.1438° W