Cremated remains

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pasture, in centre of an archaeological complex (LI048-034006/042-) located on the 'Supposed Site of Temaír Erann', which was the ancient cemetery of the Ernai tribe on Slievereagh (Sliabh Riabhach) (Westropp 1919, 9; Westropp 1917-19, 179; Westropp 1918, 111). One of three bowl-barrows (LI048-034010/012-), within a large field system (LI048-034001-), ringfort (LI048-034008-) lies 30m to NE and a cist (LI048-034015-) lies 38m to SW. Bowl-barrow listed as Tumulus II (LI048-034012-) with cremated burial , excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 137-8) between 1934-5. Cremated remains described by Ó Ríordáin as follows; 'on the old ground surface an area irregularly circular in outline and about 12 feet [4m] in diameter was found to be covered with a light charcoal deposit in which were scattered fragments of cremated bone. It was evident that this area was the site of a fire, on which, no doubt, the cremation had been carried out and over which the tumulus [LI048-034012-] had been built. Near the centre of the fire-blackened area was a hole somewhat elliptical in outline (diameters 11 inches [0.28m] and 9½ inches [0.24]) and 4 inches [0.1m] deep’. The hole contained cremated bones mixed with charcoal while near the top of the deposit, covered by a thin layer of charcoal, was a small ornamented bone plaque. This plaque had evidently been in the fire and its surface was cracked by the heat' (ibid. 137).

See attached plan from Ó Ríordáin.

Compiled by: Fiona Rooney

Date of upload: 30 August 2021

References

Westropp, T.J. 1916-17 On certain typical earthworks and ring walls in Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 33C, 9-42, 444-92.

Westropp, T.J. 1919 The ancient places of assembly in the counties Limerick and Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 49, 1-24.

Westropp, T.J. 1918 Temair Erann, an Ancient Cemetery of the Ernai on Slievereagh, County Limerick. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquities of Ireland, 111-20.

Westropp, T.J. 1917-19 The Earthworks, Traditions, and the Gods of South-Eastern Co. Limerick, Especially from Knocklong to Temair Erann. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature 34, 127-183.

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