Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 4, 373-4), the human remains of four individuals were found in an esker called Gallow's Glen at Naas East (NMI 1972: 85-8). A programme of Archaeological Testing undertaken by Byrne Mullins & Associates at ‘Dalemount’, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare on 27th May 2020 resulted in the discovery of human remains. The archaeological investigations were undertaken under licence from the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht (No. 20E221) and in response to the requirements of Kildare County Council with respect to the development of the site.
The results of the excavations by Byrne Mullins & Associates was summarised as following; 'The files of the National Museum of Ireland (Reg. Refs: 1972: 85-8) record that human remains were uncovered in May 1972 during site preparation/ground reduction works associated with the construction of a house at Naas East. This site is that to the neighbouring property to the north of the subject proposed development landholding. The discovery, initially considered to be of an animal, was uncovered at a depth of 1m below ground level. The discovery was reported to the National Museum of Ireland and was investigated by Joseph Raftery on 21st May 1972 and was found to be a burial pit containing four inhumations. The burials were recently re-examined and reassessed as part of an NMI Project which determined that Skeleton 1 was a 35-44 year old male; Skeleton 2 was a juvenile of 8-14 years of age; Skeleton 3 was an adolescent male of 14-17 years of age and Skeleton 4 was a young adult male. It was noted that the burial deposition in a head-to-toe fashion (i.e. the upper burials placed on top of the lower burials but in opposite directions) is highly indicative that the individuals were all buried at the same time, presumably as a the results of one episode. The programme of archaeological testing uncovered number clusters of human bone in the eastern area of the overall site, as well as some randomly dispersed individual bone material. Initial investigations indicated that the remains were disarticulated and this was subsequently confirmed by Dr. Clare Mullins, Forensic Archaeologist. All were discovered in a layer of soil fill spread across the eastern surface of the site. While it is presently unclear as to where the remains were originally interred, it is possible that they may be related to the remains uncovered to the north of the site in 1972. No artefactual material was recovered in association with the remains, and it is considered that such are of historical/archaeological origin.'

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 3 June 2020

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.

Byrne, M. E. 2020 Notification of Discovery of Human Remains at 'Dalemount' Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare. Licence No. 20E221. Unpublished report, Byrne Mullins & Associates: Archaeological & Historical Heritage Consultants. Report submitted 28th May 2020 to National Monuments Service, Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht.