Lankill Standing Stone

Lankill Standing Stone
Native name
Irish: Gallán Lainn Chille
Location of Lankill Standing Stone in Ireland
Type Standing stone
Location Lankill, Aughagower,
County Mayo, Ireland
Coordinates 53°45′12″N 9°30′06″W / 53.753238°N 9.501742°W / 53.753238; -9.501742Coordinates: 53°45′12″N 9°30′06″W / 53.753238°N 9.501742°W / 53.753238; -9.501742
Elevation 47 m (154 ft)
Height 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Built 2000 BC or later
Official name: Lankill Standing Stone
Reference no. 296

Lankill Standing Stone is a standing stone and National Monument located in County Mayo, Ireland.[1]

Location

Lankill Standing Stone stands in a field 2.7 km (1.7 mi) west-southwest of Aughagower, south of Knappaghbeg Lough. Toberbrendan, an early monastic site, is immediately to the southwest.[2]

History

The stone possibly dates to the Bronze Age period but was Christianised centuries later with a cross carved on it.[3]

The purpose of standing stones is unclear; they may have served as boundary markers, ritual or ceremonial sites, burial sites or astrological alignments.[4]

Description

The stone is a spike of shale 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) tall. On the west face is a cross with a V-shaped ornament beneath it, and on the east face is a Latin cross in a double circle and four concentric circles; this probably indicates a "pagan" monument that was later appropriated by Christians.[5][6]

References

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