Cist

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated 50m from the NE end of the central spine of a NW-SE aligned glacial ridge. This severely damaged short cist was uncovered in 1978 during quarrying. It was investigated the same year by O'Kelly. It was positioned 1.07m beneath ground level. The capstone was the only structural stone that had not been removed. Kelly tentatively reconstructed the remainder of the monument but was unable to accurately determine its original dimensions. He believed that it was originally square in plan and composed of five slabs set on edge – two at one side and one each at the other three sides. The floor was paved with a single stone and the structure was roofed by a single capstone (sim. 1.2m x 0.6m). A deep pit had been dug to recieve the cist. The floor was paved with a single stone and the structure was roofed by a single capstone. The cremated remains of a single adult, 25 and 30 years of age, of indeterminate sex (NMI 128) were identified but the cist contained no artifacts. (Cahill and Sikora 2011, Vol 1, 111-113)

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan

Date of upload: 12 February 2013

References

Cahill, M. and Sikora, M. (eds) 2011 Breaking ground, finding graves - reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927-2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd. in association with the National Museum of Ireland.