A newly excavated portal tomb

The Tirnony Dolmen is located about 1 mile north of Maghera. Recently its capstone collapsed and archeologists were given the chance to dig a portal tomb for the first time in 50 years. It dates to 3500 BC and was used for interring cremated bones of selected members of the community. Grave goods such as pottery and flint tools were often left possibly for the afterlife. This type of portal tomb is only found in Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall, so there has long been a debate over where they originated and which portal tombs are the oldest. Archaeologists are hoping to carbon date items found at this site so they can provide an accurate date when it was used. There is also a free-standing orthostat near the tomb which may suggest this tomb was used 1000 years later.