Contemplate a circle of stones. That’s Meayll Circle. Here, on Meayll Hill, we’re standing amidst a monument steeped in history. It offers a glimpse into the lives of those who lived here thousands of years ago.
Meayll Circle, also known as Mull Circle, sits near the summit of Meayll Hill. The hill overlooks the town of Port Erin. This location offers panoramic views of the southern end of the Isle of Man. The site shows evidence of occupation from Neolithic to Medieval times.
This unique archaeological monument consists of twelve burial chambers. They are placed in a ring. Six entrance passages lead into pairs of chambers. Imagine this circle, about 18 feet in diameter. It is a testament to the ingenuity and beliefs of its builders.
Meayll Circle was built around 3500 BC. The Manx name for this structure is Rhullick-y-lagg-shliggagh. This translates to “the graveyard of the valley of broken slates”. The term “Meayll” means “bald” in Manx Gaelic. The hill got its name because of its appearance.
Archaeological finds within the chambers include shards of ornate pottery. Also discovered were charred bones, flint tools, and white quartz pebbles. These artifacts offer clues about the rituals and people who used this site. You can view these items at the Manx Museum.
The structure is a series of chambered cairns. When it was complete, the circle contained twelve single kistvaens. These were arranged in pairs and approached each other longitudinally. Rows of stones separated each pair. These projected outward.
Cremation was a common practice here. After cremation, bones were placed in a rude urn. The urn was inserted into a kistvaen. Timber was scarce. Funeral piles were composed of peat, gorse, ling, and fern.
Manx tumuli are placed on elevated sites. The sea is always visible from these sites. Funerals were probably performed at night. A fire on an elevated site would be seen from a great distance.
Meayll Circle is not just an ancient site. It is a place of legends. Stories of hauntings and Viking burials surround it. Near the summit of the hill are the remains of a World War II Chain Home Low RDF station. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern history adds another layer to the site’s intrigue.
As you stand within Meayll Circle, consider the generations who have stood here before. They performed their rituals. They buried their dead. They looked out over this very landscape. The stones whisper stories of the past. They invite us to reflect on our connection to history.