The Chambered Tombs of the Isle of Man: A study by Audrey Henshall 1971-1978

This is the first book ever devoted to the chambered tombs of the Isle of Man and, though there are no more than nine surviving monuments, they are of considerable interest and importance because of the central location of the island in the north Irish Sea where cultural influences and traditions of tomb building are mixed – and no doubt populations too. These monuments, still impressive reminders of the past in our contemporary landscape, belong to the early 4th millennium BC when farming, one of the most significant movers of change in society, first came to the Isle of Man. These vast stone chambers speak of the power of ancestors, the continuity of family groups and the importance of the land and territory which sustained them. Work on this book was begun in the 1960s by Audrey Henshall, the foremost authority on these monuments in Britain. It has been edited and brought up to date for publication by Frances Lynch and Peter Davey and contains a comprehensive study of previous work on the tombs, new plans and commentary on each site, and also a review of the associated finds from excavation. Appendices provide the final reports on previously unpublished excavations at King Orry’s Grave and Ballaharra.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Introduction: Introduction to Chambered Tombs; Previous work on Manx chambered tombs; Note on the preparation of this volume and acknowledgements; The Natural Setting; The geographical and geological background A. M. Cubbon; Recent work on the changing natural environment Philippa Tomlinson; 1. Catalogue and Commentary: Introduction to catalogue; Cashtal yn Ard; King Orry’s Grave; Ballafayle; Meayll Hill; The Cloven Stones; Llaght ny Foawr (Giant’s Grave), Kew; Croit-ny-Howe, Clay Head; Ballakelly; Ballaharra; Port St Mary; 2. The Artefacts from the Tombs: The Pottery; The Flints; Bone; Miscellaneous Later Material; 3. General summary: Mesolithic Prelude; Early Neolithic Period; Distribution of Earlier Neolithic Settlement; Significance of the Tombs; Material Culture of the Tomb Builders; Burial Rituals; Grave Offerings; Forecourt Use; The Late Neolithic Period in the Isle of Man; The Early Bronze Age; Bibliography; Appendix 1. The Excavation of King Orry’s Grave (North East) 1953 B. R. S. Megaw; Appendix 2. Excavations by Sheila Cregeen at Ballaharra, German 1969-1983; Appendix 3. The 1971 Excavation at Meayll Hill

About the Author :
Peter Davey is an archaeologist with a special interest in the medieval and early modern periods in north-western Europe and a 40-year involvement with the Isle of Man. As Director of the multi-disciplinary Centre for Manx Studies between 1992 and 2007 he led the excavation team at Rushen Abbey from 1998 to his retirement. He obtained his PhD from the University of Liverpool in 1990.