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Cairn is a prehistoric funerary or ceremonial monument forming part of a complex of four cairns in a single field near Derry, Northern Ireland. The site sits on bedrock of the Argyll Group, a Neoproterozoic sequence of psammite, semipelite and pelite that produces the rolling topography characteristic of this region. Built from stone gathered from the surrounding landscape, the cairn exemplifies the monumental burial practices of prehistoric communities in Ulster, likely dating to the Bronze Age or earlier periods when such stone-built mounds served as enduring markers of the dead and focal points for communal gatherings.
The presence of four cairns within one field suggests sustained use of this location over generations, indicating its particular significance to local populations. The monument is protected under the Historic Environment Division's statutory list (reference 12523), recognising its archaeological and cultural importance as evidence of prehistoric settlement patterns and burial customs in the region.
Cairn (1 of 4 in same field) is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12523. View the official record →
Cairn is a prehistoric funerary or ceremonial monument forming part of a complex of four cairns in a single field near Derry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12523.
Cairn (1 of 4 in same field) dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a cairn complex. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Cairn (1 of 4 in same field) is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 12523.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Giant's grave. wedge tomb (5.2 km), Rath (5.8 km), Silver brook house. c17th house (6.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Cairn (1 of 4 in same field)'s history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Cairn (1 of 4 in same field) stands on Argyll Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite, semipelite and pelite.