Carreg Samson
Neolithic dolmen in Wales From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neolithic dolmen in Wales From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carreg Samson (also known as Carreg Sampson, Samson's Stone, or the Longhouse) is a 5000-year-old Neolithic dolmen located half a mile west of Abercastle near the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales.
Location | Pembrokeshire grid reference SM84853351 |
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Coordinates | 51.958386°N 5.132704°W |
Type | Dolmen |
History | |
Periods | Neolithic |
It is called "Samson" because of a local legend that Saint Samson of Dol placed the capstone in position with his little finger.[1]
Carreg Samson has a capstone, 4.7 metres by 2.7 metres and 1.0 metre thick.[2] The capstone rests on three of six stones 1.1 to 2.2 metres high.[2]
The whole burial chamber was once covered by a mound of earth or stones and once these were removed stones were used to block the holes in the sides of the tomb so that it could be used as a shelter for sheep.[3]
The site was excavated in 1968 which revealed four additional stone-holes, one having supported a further chamber stone, the others indicating a possible passage leading off to the northwest.[2] Slight traces of a covering cairn were found to the south and it was shown that the monument had been raised over a pit 0.8 metres deep, filled with clay and stones. Finds included a small quantity of burnt bone, pottery, and flints.[2]
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