The rediscovery of a prehistoric tomb in Maree, Co Galway, has led to the unexpected discovery of a second tomb nearby, offering new insights into the complexity of Ireland’s earliest farming communities.
Archaeologists from the University of Galway believe this is the only known site in Ireland where two different types of megalithic tombs exist side by side - one likely used for rituals and the other for burials. Dating back nearly 6,000 years to the early Neolithic period, the site sheds light on the transition to farming and settled life in Ireland.
The site includes a large court tomb, approximately 30 metres long, featuring an open area where ceremonial activities likely took place. Alongside it, researchers uncovered a previously unrecorded portal tomb, a stone-built burial chamber distinguished by a massive capstone measuring nearly four metres in length and weighing around 14 tonnes.
Among the most notable finds is a small amethyst pendant discovered within the portal tomb. While quartz beads have been found at other megalithic sites, archaeologists say nothing comparable to this pendant has previously been recorded in Ireland.
Excavations also revealed stone tools, prehistoric pottery, and cremated human remains, suggesting the tombs were used for communal gatherings, burial practices, and rituals connected to ancestors.
Researchers believe the scale and effort required to construct the monuments indicate the presence of a sizeable, organised community. The close proximity of the two tomb types suggests an interaction of different traditions, raising new questions about social and cultural practices during the Stone Age.
Dr Michelle Comber, co-lead of the project, described the discovery as a rare opportunity to better understand Ireland’s first farmers and their beliefs. Dr Noel McCarthy added that finding both monuments together provides a deeper understanding of Neolithic society and its expressions of identity and religion.
The discoveries form part of the University of Galway’s “Maree – Land Use Through Time” project, which explores how people have lived in and shaped the landscape over thousands of years. The excavation involves researchers, students, and local volunteers, supported by national heritage organisations and the landowners hosting the work.