Knockmaree Dolmen facts for kids
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Phoenix Park, near Dublin |
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| Coordinates | 53°21′3″N 6°20′26″W / 53.35083°N 6.34056°W |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
Knockmaree Dolmen, or Knockmaree Cist, is a prehistoric site of the Neolithic period, in Phoenix Park just north of Chapelizod, near Dublin, Ireland. Other forms of the name are Knockmary or Knockmaroon Dolmen, or Cnoc-Maraidhe.
Description
The tomb, situated on a small ridge, is a cist, a type of burial chamber found in Ireland on the south and east coast. It dates from about 3000 B.C. to 2500 B.C. A capstone, measuring 1.96 metres (6 ft 5 in) by 1.05 metres (3 ft 5 in), is supported by smaller stones. The capstone is water-worn, and is thought to have come from the River Liffey nearby.
It was discovered in 1838, when workmen were employed to remove a tumulus of height 15 feet (4.6 m) and circumference 120 feet (37 m). In the centre of the mound were found the stones now visible; four other cists were found in the outer area.
The remains were examined by the Royal Irish Academy, the Academy's report later being delivered by George Petrie.
In the central burial chamber, measuring 1.20 metres (3 ft 11 in) by 0.60 metres (2 ft 0 in), two male skeletons were found in a crouched position. They were almost complete and aged about 40 and 50 years. Grave goods were found including many small perforated sea-shells (of species known then as Nerita litoralis), which presumably formed a necklace, and a flint knife. In the outer cists, an urn and food vessels were found, with fragments of burnt bone and ashes.
The tomb is known as a "Linkardstown burial", after a megalithic grave found in the townland of Linkardstown, south-east of Carlow. There is a group of such burials, having mounds of similar size and situated on a hilltop or similar location.
