The Chambered Tombs of the Isle of Man: A study by Audrey Henshall 1971-1978

by Audrey Henshall, Peter Davey (Editor), Frances Lynch (Editor)

Overview

This is the first book ever devoted to the chambered tombs of the Isle of Man and, though there are no more than nine surviving monuments, they are of considerable interest and importance because of the central location of the island in the north Irish Sea where cultural influences and traditions of tomb building are mixed - and no doubt populations too. These monuments, still impressive reminders of the past in our contemporary landscape, belong to the early 4th millennium BC when farming, one of the most significant movers of change in society, first came to the Isle of Man. These vast stone chambers speak of the power of ancestors, the continuity of family groups and the importance of the land and territory which sustained them. Work on this book was begun in the 1960s by Audrey Henshall, the foremost authority on these monuments in Britain. It has been edited and brought up to date for publication by Frances Lynch and Peter Davey and contains a comprehensive study of previous work on the tombs, new plans and commentary on each site, and also a review of the associated finds from excavation. Appendices provide the final reports on previously unpublished excavations at King Orry's Grave and Ballaharra.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781784914684
Publisher:	Archaeopress Publishing
Publication date:	11/17/2017
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	8.03(w) x 11.42(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Davey is an archaeologist with a special interest in the medieval and early modern periods in north-western Europe and a 40-year involvement with the Isle of Man. As Director of the multi-disciplinary Centre for Manx Studies between 1992 and 2007 he led the excavation team at Rushen Abbey from 1998 to his retirement. He obtained his Ph D from the University of Liverpool in 1990.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction: Introduction to Chambered Tombs
Previous work on Manx chambered tombs
Note on the preparation of this volume and acknowledgements
The Natural Setting
The geographical and geological background A. M. Cubbon
Recent work on the changing natural environment Philippa Tomlinson
1. Catalogue and Commentary: Introduction to catalogue
Cashtal yn Ard
King Orry's Grave
Ballafayle
Meayll Hill
The Cloven Stones
Llaght ny Foawr (Giant's Grave), Kew
Croit-ny-Howe, Clay Head
Ballakelly
Ballaharra
Port St Mary
2. The Artefacts from the Tombs: The Pottery
The Flints
Bone
Miscellaneous Later Material
3. General summary: Mesolithic Prelude
Early Neolithic Period
Distribution of Earlier Neolithic Settlement
Significance of the Tombs
Material Culture of the Tomb Builders
Burial Rituals
Grave Offerings
Forecourt Use
The Late Neolithic Period in the Isle of Man
The Early Bronze Age
Bibliography
Appendix 1. The Excavation of King Orry's Grave (North East) 1953 B. R. S. Megaw
Appendix 2. Excavations by Sheila Cregeen at Ballaharra, German 1969-1983
Appendix 3. The 1971 Excavation at Meayll Hill