Burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

During monitoring ahead of the construction of sixteen dwellings at Castlegrounds, Corrofin, Co. Galway, human remains, comprising at least eight skeletons, were recorded. As a result, it was decided that, due to the advanced stage of the development, the remains should be fully excavated. This was carried out in July and August 2004. Considerable amounts of human bone were recovered from the topsoil. Excavation revealed a minimum of 57 skeletons in varying states of preservation. Those near the surface had been truncated, probably by agricultural activity, and most survived only partially. They were laid supine, almost all orientated east-west, with no grave goods, shrouding or coffins. Grave-cuts, where discernible, were tight to the skeletons. Grave fills were for the most part similar to the topsoil, with patches of redeposited natural and some charcoal. A curving ditch defined the edge of the burials to the east. This was 2m wide at the surface and over 1m deep, containing two fills. It is thought that the association of the graveyard and a substantial enclosing feature is suggestive of an Early Christian burial ground. Osteological analysis of the skeletons is currently in progress and it is hoped that this and radiocarbon dating will shed further light on the date and origin of this graveyard (Rogers 2007, 164-5, no. 679).

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 2 September 2016

References

Rogers, T. 2007 Castlegrounds, Corofin. Enclosed burial ground. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2004: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 164-5, no. 679. Dublin. Wordwell