clognagalla chambered grave
In the townland of Boviel, there are a circle of oval stones, known locally as "The White Lady's Grave." The grave is situated about three miles from Dungiven, in the direction of Maghera, about a quarter of a mile to the north of the Glenshane Pass.
Stone Age Tombs or Megalithic Tombs are divided into four classes, passage tombs, court tombs, portal tombs and wedge tombs. The tomb in Boviel is an excellent example of a wedge tomb. There are four hundred and sixty five known wedge tombs in Ireland, which makes them the largest single class of Megalithic tomb in Ireland. The origins of the Wedge tomb can be traced to Brittany in North West France. Tombs of similar design are to be found in abundance here. This has prompted the argument that these tombs were built by the first Celtic speaking people coming from France towards the end of the Neolithic Period (c 2,500BC)
Wedge Tombs have relatively narrow burial chambers, broad and high at the entrance, becoming narrower towards the rear. There is a central gallery for the burials, the entrance being through a short anti-chamber which may be blocked by a stone slab. The burial place is usually roofed over the flat stone slabs. Around the gallery is placed another wall of stones that retain the cairn. The entrance of wedge tombs face in a south westerly direction towards the winter setting sun.
The Clognagalla Wedge Tomb, at Boviel, is an excellent example of an Ulster Wedge Tomb. Clognagalla translates as "The Stone of the Hag." The gallery is divided in the front by several stones that form the ante-chamber. There are also kerb stones defining the outer boundary of the tomb. The site was excavated in 1938 and the grave was found to contain the cremated remains of an adult female, probably a chieftainess. Items also found in the tomb included arrowheads, tools, parts of pottery vessels and a polished axehead.
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