Cremated remains

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture 30m S of a stream. Enclosure (LI039-032----) lies 90m to W. Not depicted on OSi historic maps. One of 6 features (LI039-172/174/ 175001/175002/176----) identified as BGE 3/77/27-29 in 2002 by Ken Wiggins (Licence 02E0119) during topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West. Excavated in 2002 by Kate Taylor under licence No. 02E0470 the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘A single cremation burial was excavated to the north of the pits. The cut was an irregular oval shape with a concave profile. It measured 0.36m by 0.32m and was 0.12m deep. Two fills were discernible: the upper had a large charcoal component, including pieces of charred twigs; the lower was an ashy material with little charcoal but much cremated bone, including some large pieces. Initial comparison with other cremation burials excavated during the pipeline project suggests that the presence of recognisable anatomical remains is an unusual feature. It appears that in most the cremated bone was crushed before deposition (Taylor 2004, 297)’. An Early-Middle Bronze Age radiocarbon date was recorded for this feature (2030-1520 cal BC). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images.

Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick

Date of upload: 19 May 2021

References

Taylor, K. 2004 Ballincurra (BGE 3/77/27-29); Fulacht fiadh, pits, ring gullies, cremation. In I. Bennett (ed.) Excavations 2002: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland, 297, No. 1080. Wordwell, Bray.