What is recorded here

Boulder-burial in Cooradarrigan stands on a broad pasture shelf near Mount Gabriel, where a large rounded stone rests above three supports and seven narrow stake-holes circle the pit. Charcoal from the central pit dates the place to roughly 3080 B.P., yet no human bone or artifact has been recovered. The absence does not diminish the shape; it suggests people marked the ground, performed something, then left the stones to hold the memory.

On broad shelf of pasture near foot of Mount Gabriel. Monuments excavated in 1988 by Dr. W.F. O'Brien. Large rounded boulder (1.8m x 1.6m; T 1.15m) to E, rests above three support stones. Excavation revealed central pit containing charcoal fragments which provided a C14 determination of 3080 ±35 B.P. (GrN-15716). Seven narrow stake-holes surround monument. No human bone or artefacts were recovered in primary association with monument. Second boulder burial (CO139-037002-) 3.8m to E; sub-rectangular cover stone (1.5m x 0.95m;T c. 0.75m) supported at N by three stones. Support stones placed on top of large backfilled pit. No burial evidence or artifacts recovered. (pers.comm. Dr. W.F. O'Brien) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Boulder-burial in Cooradarrigan is a Bronze Age funerary monument, dating to approximately 2000–800 BCE. Its significance lies in its association with early burial practices in the Mount Gabriel area, reflecting the ritual use of landscape and stone in prehistoric Ireland.

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