Midden

The National Monuments Service's description

In sand dunes along the shoreline of a small bay at the SW end of Omey Island. Initially visited by the Galway Survey in October 1983; revisited in May 2014. This extensive midden (L c. 88m), composed mainly of limpet shells, is more or less as described in 1983: various banded layers are clearly visible. It is evident to the SW of rock armour (L c. 56m) that has been placed on the beach as a measure to combat coastal erosion. Here the dunes vary in height from 1m to 3.8m. To the NE of the rock armour another section of the midden (L c. 23m) is now exposed in the dune face, which is 1.5m high. It is possible that the rock armour is on the line of the midden and that the two sections are part of the same midden, giving it an overall length of c. 167m. The burnt stone, hearths and charcoal noted in the 1983 report were not observed. Samples taken in 1988 have produced a calibrated 14C determination of AD 1000-1150 (info. M. Gibbons). (Brunicardi 1914, 198)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 21 July 2014