Altar

Wedge Tomb at Altar

Wedge Tomb at Altar

I was surprised to find out that there is a Neolithic Site as I was exploring the Mizen Peninsula. It seems that these area of Cork is rich in Neolithic sites and a lot of them would take a bit of effort to find. Fortunately for me, there was a marker proclaiming that there is one here and that I should take a look. There is a small parking area near the marker and it is all on foot from here. The actual site isn’t that far and it can be seen from the car park. Naturally, I would want a closer look.

Altar Neolithic Tomb

Altar Neolithic Tomb

The site is described as a wedge tomb. A wedge tomb is one which is basically a stone box, what typifies a wedge from the other types is the sloping roof of the box. You would have at least three large flat stone slabs which hold up another large flat stone slab. I still find it amazing how these were built in the first place and how it remains standing over the millennia. There would be the odd visitor who would climb these monuments but for the most part people just keep a distance from it or just at least don’t climb them. Places like these add mystery to an already rich ancient Irish culture. It is just so fascinating to be able to see one of these places up close.

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