Urn burial

The National Monuments Service's description

The location of two burials discovered in the townland of Labbamolaga East has been recently identified by local historian, Nioclàs Ó Duinnín. Discovered in 1948 during quarrying in a sand pit. Investigated by O'Kelly (1950, 15-20) who found pit cut into top W side of polygonal cist (CO010-00401-). Quarrying prior to investigation damaged simple bowl-shaped pit (diam. 2ft 6in; D 1ft 6in); this contained inverted Encrusted Urn (reconstructed H c. 16in) which originally covered cremated bones; these had been scattered and lost. Rim of urn rounded; internal bevel carries rows of short oblique incisions on narrow raised bands; externally ornamented with row of oblique strokes; remainder of external surface applied with lenticular bosses in staggered horizontal rows; a coarse ware, buff to red in colour (Kavanagh 1973, 537); Doody 1986, Cork No. 38; Waddell 1990, 61-2).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by James O'Brien and Nioclàs Ó Duinnín

Date of revised upload: 22 February 2022

References

Waddell, J. 1990 The Bronze Age burials of Ireland. Galway University Press.

O'Kelly, M.J. 1950 Two burials at Labbamolaga, Co. Cork. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 60, 15-20.

Kavanagh, R.M. 1973 The Encrusted Urn in Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 73C, 507-617.

Doody, M.G. 1986 Bronze Age burial in Munster. Unpublished MA thesis, University College, Cork.