A recent study using the ancient genomic data has uncovered dramatic cultural changes in early Ireland. Most famously this era saw the emergence of complex passage tombs following a millennia of simpler burial tradition. This pioneering research uncovers the complex social dynamics underlying Neolithic communities. It proposes that such monumental structures served a dual purpose, acting both as graves and places of community assembly.
Passage tombs, some of which date back farther than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, are a striking feature in Ireland’s coastal landscape. Of these, the Newgrange passage tomb has become the most famous and is now visited by thousands of people drawn to its ancient mystique. Through archaeological and historical analysis, the public learned how these tombs were constructed around 3300 B.C. This construction represents a major departure from burial practices after four centuries of more basic grave treatments.
Archaeologists argue that the development of passage tombs marks an important turning point in burial, moving away from neolithic burial customs. This change marks a larger social movement as diverse people started to come together for spiritual and ceremonial practices. Just recently, a thorough DNA analysis of 55 skeletons from these ancient graves returned some truly fascinating results. The people laid to rest there showed an astonishing variation and were more distantly related than one another. This finding suggests that the kin groups utilizing these tombs engaged in larger-scale interactions, potentially leading to increased mixing and collaboration.
Neil Carlin, one of the researchers who conducted the study, noted the significance of these findings.
“We cannot say that these tombs were the final resting places of a dynastic lineage who restricted access to ‘burial’ within these tombs to their relatives.” – Neil Carlin
The evidence indicates that this was a time of greater equity and inclusiveness in American society. Far from being the burial places of elite families, these passage tombs were probably shared community sites used for the elaborate rituals that came with death. This view runs opposite to previous ideas that Neolithic societies were ruled by hereditary dynasties.
These passage tombs exhibit spectacular architecture. They include massive circular mounds and amazing corbel stone passageways lined with burial chambers. Archaeologists have long recognized four specific types of ancient graves all across the country of Ireland. Three of these types are less complex forms that predated the passage tombs. The second variety is the more interesting, as it represents a major shift in funerary practice and community structure.
Their collaborative analysis shows that communities actually became less connected while these majestic bridges were being built. That intimate connection with the land was crucial to their development. It’s a provocative conclusion based on the idea that kinship groups who used these communal tombs had macroregional, multicontinental connectedness. They often decided to marry and have children with other members from expanded families.
“We argue that this reflects how the kin groups using these tombs were interacting on a larger scale and more frequently choosing to have children with others from within these extended communities.” – Neil Carlin
The passage tombs and other megalithic monuments acted as important nodes of social contact. They were places of assembly and production, of jubilation and death. Passage tombs functioned as more than burial sites. As such they became active participants in the oral, social and communal life of Neolithic Ireland.
The study suggests that to fully understand the social changes that occurred in Ireland after 3600 B.C., additional research is necessary. Investigations yet to come will surely be aimed at processing more ancient DNA, artifacts, and monumental architecture linked to these ancient communities.
