Cist

The National Monuments Service's description

One of 4 urn/cist burials (LI048-034017/020-) in W half of bivallate ringfort (LI048-034016-) excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 128-132) between 1934-5. Described by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 112) as; ‘Burial No. II This burial was found about 7 feet [2.13m] south-west of the first. It was contained in a well-built cist grave covered by a large cap-stone (greatest dimension 39 inches [0.99m], thickness of about 5 inches [0.12m]). The red sandstone had been cut away to contain the cist and in the bottom of the sandstone cutting a base, consisting of one slab (about 18 inches [0.45m] across) and five other stones, was laid down in order to secure a level foundation for the side-slabs. Three sides of the cist were composed of single slabs, the fourth was more irregularly built of one large stone and two smaller ones. The urn was found mouth downwards covering the burial and, since the cremated remains were all contained within the inverted urn, it was evident that the latter must, when placed in the grave, have had a cloth or other covering tied over its mouth since otherwise it would not have been possible to place it in position without losing its contents.’

See attached plans and photos from Ó Ríordáin.

Compiled by: Fiona Rooney

Date of upload: 5 September 2021

References

Ó Ríordáin, S.P. 1940 Excavations at Cush, Co. Limerick (1934 and 1935). Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 45, 83-181.