Burial Sites

Burial sites in West Penwith include burial mounds, or barrows; and 'quoits', which are massive stone-sided chambers, with capstones weighing up to 20 tonnes. The quoits were probably the burial places of tribal leaders, and were most likely used as the focal points of religious ceremonies. The quoits in Cornwall are estimated to be between 5,000 and 6,000 years old.

Chun Quoit

Chûn Quoit
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Chún is a hollow chambered quoit surrounded by the remains of a stone kerb. It stands just five minutes walk from the ruins of Chûn Castle; a fortified settlement dating from 300-200BC.

Lanyon Quoit
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This is one of two quoits at Lanyon, this more accessible one being maintained by the National Trust.

Although damaged by a storm in the early 19th C, it has an eerie, imposing atmosphere against the backdrop of the surrounding moor.

Lanyon Quoit

Zennor Quoit

Zennor Quoit
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Zennor is a 'portal' dolmen, having a small porch at its entrance, flanked by two upright slabs.

About a mile and a half to the South West of it is Mulfra Quoit and the Bronze Age village of Bodrifty. To the South is the Iron Age village of Chysauster.

Ballowal Barrow (Carn Gloose)
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Ballowal is an enormous entrance grave consisting of a stone framework with a system of internal corridors leading to small burial cists.

Built mainly in the Bronze Age it was once covered with earth and stone, forming an elliptical mound. It was believed to have started as a Stone Age burial site.

ballowal Barrow

Tregiffian chamber tomb

Tregiffian Chamber Tomb
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Tregiffian is a chamber tomb, easily overlooked, near the Merry Maidens, and partly in-filled by the road. It is now overseen by English Heritage.

Dating back to around 2,500BC, it is older than the circle, but has also been used for a later burial around 1,900BC. Note the 'cup' mark pattern in the nearby stone (which is a copy - the original being in a museum at Truro).

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