Cist

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low elevation. This monument was uncovered during ploughing and investigated in 1984 by Cahill on behalf of the National Museum of Ireland. Small rectangular short cist (dims. 1.27 E-W; 0.8m N-S; H 0.51) whose N, E and S sides were defined principally by four slabs set on edge. The W side was composed of four flat slabs placed on on top of the other. The floor was composed of a single large paving stone. It was roofed with a single capstone which protruded above ground level. The cist contained a ribbed bowl and (1984:129) and a constricted bowl (1984:130), both of which were a good state of preservation. It appears that a vessel had been placed at either end of the cist. A cremated burial had been placed on the floor slab but was also very disturbed. Upon analysis it was shown to mark the remains of a an adult of unknown sex and a juvenile. A radiocarbon date of 2210 to 1920 BC was producted from the carbonate (Cahill and Sikora 2011, Vol 1, 116-120).

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.