Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

We believe it is possible that some form of sky burial was practised in pre christian Ireland, similar to that practised by the Parsee religion and Tibetan Bhuddists. We speculate that bodies were left in the dished interiors of the cairns, which in every instance are in remote locations far from the general population. After carrion had dealt with the flesh, the bones were then retrieved, and subsequently cremated in the stone bowls which can be found throughout these mountains. This would explain the burnt stone, and the size of some of the bowls which are far too small to accomodate entire bodies.
We then think the ashes were interred in the re-arranged rockfields, of which over 5 square kilometres have now been documented, and marked by distinctive stone piles.