Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

In lowlying grassland, on the floodplains of the River Shannon located 200m to the W. Not depicted on any OS map. In 2003 part of a human burial was discovered by local landowner while carrying out land works with a mechanical excavator. The discovery was reported to the Gardaí at Castleconnell who informed Sarah McCutcheon, Executive Archaeologist, Limerick County Council. An investigation of the site was undertaken by Sarah McCutcheon who submitted a report to the National Museum of Ireland. This report recorded that the discovery was made at a depth of c. 1.5m in peaty material adjacent to a natural linear feature running N-S. The excavated soil was originally excavated in 2001 and had been dumped into spoil heaps while other material was imported into the field and spread on the surface. The human remains were noted in 2003 when the landowner was spreading the soil from the spoil heap across the surface of the field. The bones from upper torso of a possible adult female were recorded from the site. Some of the skeletal material had been taken from the site to the Garda station which consisted of a skull, partial upper jaw with four teeth in place, complete lower jaw in two pieces each with three teeth, in addition there were three loose teeth; one clavicle, five arm bones, six digit bones, one rib fragment and one possible pelvic fragment. The bones were in good condition, the skull was fully fused and the the teeth were well worn. The skeleton therefore, was that of an adult, possibly a female as the skull and arm bones seemed small. The skeletal remains were sent to Mr. L. Walsh, Director, Limerick Museum, Castle Lane, Nicholas Street, Limerick.

Compiled by Martin Fitzpatrick

Date of upload: 15 June 2020