Mound of the Hostages

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· The Mound of the Hostages (Dumha na nGiall) is a late Megalithic, early Neolithic structure built between 2500bc to 3000bc. It is a circular passage tomb roughly 15 metres in diameter and 3 metres high. It is built in the same style as Newgrange although on a smaller and less awe-inspiring scale. The structure is dome shaped with an inset for the entrance. A small doorway is set almost 1 metre into the side of the monument. The doorway is framed with undecorated standing stones and faces directly east, probably with some astrological significance. Inside, the passage stretches for 4 metres in length, 1 metre in width and is 1.8metres high. It contains decorated sillstones with images of swirls, circles and x-patterns, associated with Mesolithic passage tomb art. 3 compartments housed burial remains.

The mound was used for burial practices from the early Neolithic up to 1600-1700bc. There are an estimated 250-500 bodies buried in the mound. These burials were organised into layers under the passage of the mound. The dead were most often cremated and their ashes and grave goods spread on the floor of the tomb. These grave goods include decorative pottery and urns, stone beads and bone pins. These remains were then covered with stone slabs. With this method layers of ashes and stone built up. In the Bronze Age more burials occurred on this site. As a result of previous burials there was no more room in the burial chamber so the bodies were placed in the mound itself. Over 40 remains have been removed from the mound. These were buried in the Bronze Age style with inverted cinerary urns placed over cremated ashes. The full body of a Bronze Age adolescent was discovered in the mound. The body was placed in a crouched position in a simple pit dug in the mound. Grave goods uncovered included a decorated bead necklace, a bronze knife and a bronze awl suggesting he was a person of importance.

The top of the mound is the highest point on the Hill, and offers unrivalled views of the surrounding countryside. There is no evident ditch dug around the Mound. The mound is situated north of the King’s seat and Cormac’s house (teach Cormaic) and slightly south of the Rath of the Synods.