Ashleypark Burial Mound

Ashleypark burial mound was accidentally discovered in 1977 and subsequently excavated in 1980. The burial chamber is within the round cairn, 20m in diameter due to unintentional damage; it was originally 33m. The rounded cairn is believed to have been surrounded by an outer earthen bank and ditch. The burial chamber is centrally within the mound and orientated north to south, measuring 1.75m in length. The chamber is made using slabs to form the sides, two upright stones form the ends, and a single large capstone was the roof of the chamber.

The largest stone used in the tomb is 2.8m in length and between 0.26m to 0.28m thick. Three burials were identified within the tomb. The skeletal remains of an adult male c. 1.8m tall and 60 years old. Radio carbon dating on the femur of the adult male dated to between 3350BC and 3650BC. The second burial was that of a child of four or five years, the death resulting from suspected septicaemia. The third burial was that of an infant c. eight months old.

Pottery found included one decorated pottery vessel and sherds of red burnished pottery. Approximately 300 cattle bones were found with cut marks, indicating a feast before the burials occurred and the sealing of the tomb.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014