| Summary: | This thesis sets out to present a critical synthesis of the previous work on portal tombs and to investigate many aspects of this enigmatic tomb class. 98% of portal tombs in Ireland, Wales and Cornwall have been surveyed in their landscape setting and the finds of 42 sites re-assessed. Furthermore, bone from seven portal tombs has been radiocarbon dated for this project. The results have been analysed to suggest a relative and absolute chronology for portal tombs. Morphological subtypes have been identified and the classification ofportal tombs more clearly defined. The chronological and morphological similarities and differences between portal and court tombs have been investigated. Clusters ofportal tombs have been especially scrutinised to show the possible interrelationships of p0l1al tombs with other tombs of the same class, but also with monuments of other tomb classes, and with t~e surrounding landscape. The landscape in the micro-region has been carefully assessed and analysed to investigate if the landscape setting could be part of the underlying belief system. Finally, Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic settlement in the distribution area of portal tombs has been investigated to show any possible relationship to portal tombs.
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