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Shrawee

Site/Artefact Shrawee Type Megalithic Wedge Tomb Site Number Mayo 096 02201 National Grid Reference 079540 East 274470 North Map ( 1:50000) Ordnance Survey Ireland, Discovery Series, 37 List of Sites and Artefacts Click Here Interactive Map Click Here

Shrawee Megalithic Wedge Tomb (Photo: Christiaan Corlett)

Description
Wedge tombs are the most widespread of the megalithic tomb types found in Ireland. The one here at Srahwee is one of the best preserved examples in the country. Wedge tombs are so called because of their wedge shaped plan, wider at the entrance and gradually tapering towards the rear (Corlett, 2000). Despite representing around a third of the total of megalithic tombs, the number of sites excavated is relatively small and only a few of these have produced finds (O'Kelly, 1995). Thus, knowledge of burial practice is scant but cremation seems to predominate. Unburnt bone has been found in the same chamber as cremated bone (Waddell, 1998). The flat roof of the Srahwee tomb was used as an altar during penal times and indeed has a primitive incised cross on the upper surface at the south-eastern end (Corlett, 2000). The tomb is therefore referred to locally as altóir (Morahan, 2001)

Excavation Details
Not Available

Access/Ownership
Clew Bay Heritage Trail

References

• Corlett, C. 2001 Antiquities of West Mayo, Wordwell, Wicklow, pp 18, 107
• Morahan, L. 2001 Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo archaeology, landscape and people, Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Mayo, p. 31
• O'Kelly, M.J. 1995 Early Ireland, An Introduction to Irish Prehistory, Cambridge University Press, pp 115-117
• Waddell, J. 1998, The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Galway, pp. 92, 95 

Check out the following sections of the website for related information:

• Norwegian Stone Age

Mayo Sites and Artefacts

1. Mayo Abbey 2. Balla 3. Ballintubber Abbey 4. Tóchar Phadraig 5. Aghagower 6. Lankhill 7. Boheh 8. Croagh Patrick Summit 9. Carrownalurgan 10. Ardoley 11. Kiladangan 12. Glaspatrick 13. Shrawee 14. Clare Island - Strake 15. Clare Island - Lecarrow 16. Caher Island 17. Durless

18. Carrowmore 19. Knappaghmanagh 20. Cushalogurt 21. Carrowkeel Ecclesiastical Remains 22. Thornhill 23. Carrowkeel Murrisk 24. Carrowkeel Cahernaran 25. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-1 26. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-2 27. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-3 28. Carrowmacloughlin/ Glencally/ Teevenacroaghy 29. Carrowmacloughlin Sweathouses 30. Glaspatrick Holy Well

31. Glaspatrick Rath-1 32. Glaspatrick Early Ecclesiastical Remains 33. Glaspatrick Ringfort 34. Glaspatrick Rath-2 35. Glaspatrick Ecclesiatical Remains 36. Glaspatrick Altar 38. Glaspatrick Graveyard 39. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-1 40. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-2 41. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-3 42. Teevenacroaghy

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