Burial chamber

Tinkinswood Burial Chamber, is a megalithic burial chamber, built around 6,000 years ago during the Neolithic period. The structure is called a dolmen, which was the most common megalithic structure in Europe. The dolmen consists of a large capstone on top, with smaller upright stones supporting it. The limestone capstone at Tinkinswood weighs approximately 40 tons and measures 24 ft x14 ft it is thought to be the largest in Britain, and also in Europe. It would have taken some 200 people to lift the stone into the correct position. It was originally all covered by a mound of soil, which has been removed over time.