Megalithic Tombs: Forecourts and Ceremonies of the Dead

Megalithic tomb is a term applied to tombs in which blocks of stone (known as megaliths) were used in the construction of the walls and passages and are associated with the Neolithic period. Chambered tombs have been described as tombs in which one or more cells or chambers were used to receive successive burials over a period of time. The tombs were built in different parts of the world in a range of contexts, at different periods, and have survived through a changing landscape for more than six thousand years. Most research regarding megalithic tombs have focused on the few that contain rock art (Barclodiad y Gawres, Newgrange) along with the tombs architecture, the artifacts and skeletal remains within the tomb, location of the tomb, and the tomb as a place of worship and / or trance. Evidence of activity in the forecourts of megalithic tombs has been discovered across Britain and Ireland such as post holes, remains of fires, and animal bone. Megalithic tombs may have represented a particular way of responding to changing social and symbolic needs and to new ritual practices for Neolithic communities, for example the ways of processing the dead and ceremonial gatherings. It is the purpose of this publication to focus on the forecourt activity of megalithic tombs and to discuss what activities can be interpreted from the evidence and to answer questions such as; was the forecourt just as important as the tomb itself? Were similar practices being carried out across tombs in Britain and Ireland or were certain activities isolated to a particular area? Why were Neolithic communities placing objects in deposits in the forecourt and what is the significance of these objects? These are questions that remain unanswered about Megalithic tombs and the ceremonies associated with them. It is now important to research this area as without this we do not have a complete story of the ceremonies at each site and there could be vital information regarding burial rites in the Neolithic that has not yet been identified. The tombs selected for analysis in this publication are Bryn Celli Ddu and Trefignath of Anglesey, Monamore and Cairnholy I of south-west Scotland and Newgrange of Ireland. These tombs have been identified as good examples of forecourt activity due to the volume of artifacts and structures discovered on the forecourts and also due to their location. They are all located in the Irish Sea province and as it is known that goods were exchanged throughout the province, it is possible that idea’s and burial practices were also shared between communities. The tombs will be researched to compare and discuss any similarities.