Farmer discovers ancient Bronze Age tomb on Irish peninsula

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An ancient tomb possibly dating back to the Bronze Age has been discovered on the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry.

The ancient structure was uncovered during land reclamation work this week. A farmer undertaking the work discovered a large semi-circular slab and he stopped the work when he saw a chamber underneath it. The farmer has contacted the National Monuments Service and the National Museum of Ireland about the find. They have decided not to disclose the location of the structure so as to allow it to remain undisturbed. 

Staff from the National Museum of Ireland joined archaeologists over the weekend to examine the tomb, whose exact location has not been revealed in order to prevent visitors from potentially damaging the land or the tomb.

Archaeologist Dr Breandán Ó Cíobháin  told RTÉ News that the tomb appears to be "completely untouched" which is "very rare". "It is an extremely significant find as the original structure has been preserved and not interfered with, as may have occurred in the case of other uncovered tomb," he said.

Archaeologist and place names expert Dr Breandán Ó Cíobháin said the find could be invaluable to our understanding of pre-historic burial rituals.

"This tomb appears to be completely untouched and in its original state and contains human remains." 

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It’s great the farmer had the frame of mind to leave it alone and contact archaeologists. Intact remains like this are extremely rare and so valuable to archaeology/anthropology/history