Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

Adjacent to ‘Souterrain A’ (CL010-064077-) in the N portion of Caharcommaun (CL010-064003-). A souterrain (L 6m; Wth 0.8-0.95m; H at S1.3m) roofed with limestone slabs and entered by a narrow flight of steps (Wth c. 0.5m). Excavation (Hencken 1938) revealed a layer of ash and animal bone as well as a human skull ‘surrounded by flat stones carefully laid’. This was interpreted by Hencken as a foundation deposit. According to Cotter (1999, 69) there are no known parallels for this theory, interment being more likely after the souterrains had gone out of use. A silver annular brooch was found in the roofed S end of the souterrain passage. Ó Floinn (1999, 78) suggests that the deposition of the brooch is likely to have taken place in the 9th century. Cahercommaun is a national monument in State care. (Hencken 1938, 1-81; Cotter 1999, 41-95)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 4 October 2016

References

Cotter, C. 1999 Cahercommaun Fort, Co. Clare: a reassessment of its cultural context. Discovery Programme Reports 5, 41-95. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy.

Hencken, H. O'Neill 1938 Cahercommaun: a stone fort in County Clare. Dublin. Royal Society of Antiquaries (extra volume).

Ó Floinn, R. 1999 The date of some metalwork from Cahercommaun reassessed. In Cotter, C. Cahercommaun Fort, Co. Clare: a reassessment of its cultural context. Discovery Programme Reports 5, 73-9. Dublin. Royal Irish Academy.