Carreg Samson

Carreg Samson (also known as Carreg Sampson, Samson's Stone, or the Longhouse) is a 5000-year-old Neolithic dolmen located half a mile west of Abercastle near the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in Wales.

Carreg Samson
Carreg Samson is located in Pembrokeshire
Carreg Samson
Shown within Pembrokeshire
LocationPembrokeshire
grid reference SM84853351
Coordinates51.958386°N 5.132704°W / 51.958386; -5.132704
TypeDolmen
History
PeriodsNeolithic
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Name

It is called "Samson" because of a local legend that Saint Samson of Dol placed the capstone in position with his little finger.[1]

Description

Carreg Samson has a capstone, 4.7 metres by 2.7 metres and 1.0 metre thick.[2] The capstone rests on three of six stones 1.1 to 2.2 metres high.[2]

The whole burial chamber was once covered by a mound of earth or stones and once these were removed stones were used to block the holes in the sides of the tomb so that it could be used as a shelter for sheep.[3]

The site was excavated in 1968 which revealed four additional stone-holes, one having supported a further chamber stone, the others indicating a possible passage leading off to the northwest.[2] Slight traces of a covering cairn were found to the south and it was shown that the monument had been raised over a pit 0.8 metres deep, filled with clay and stones. Finds included a small quantity of burnt bone, pottery, and flints.[2]

  • View from the north-west
    View from the north-west
  • Close up
    Close up

References
  1. Chris Barber, John Godfrey Williams (1989), The ancient stones of Wales, page 122. Blorenge
  2. "Carreg Sampson Burial Chamber (94129)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  3. "Carreg Samson". www.megalithic.co.uk. Retrieved 10 November 2009.

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