Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross-slab is one of two cross-slabs associated with a large circular platform (MA023-014033-). It originally stood at roughly this location towards the S edge of a large circular platform (MA023-014033-) on the SE side of Inishkea North. It is now in the National Museum of Ireland. The other cross-slab (MA023-014034-) remains in situ on the E perimeter of the platform.
This cross slab was excavated by Henry (1945, 141-143; Slab 4) who found it roughly in the centre of the S half of the platform, ‘three quarters buried in the sand’, with only part of the decorated W face visible. Excavation revealed that the cross-slab was enclosed on its E side by a semi-circular wall/bank of loose stones and black earth, and a layer of burnt clay, ashes and shells lay at the base of the cross, within the arc of the wall.
The slab is subrectangular in shape with a gently rounded top. The incised design fills almost the full available space on one broad face (originally W-facing) of the stone. It consists of a cross of arcs in a double circle. The circle rests on a symmetrical back-to-back arrangement of paired spirals flanked by two small Maltese crosses each in a circle. Traces of a plait-like motif fill the narrow space intervening between the upper arc of the circle and the top edge of the stone. The cross-slab is a National Monument in state ownership (no. 379).

Attached image:
MA023-014035-_01.JPG Cross-slab in the National Museum

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 28 July 2023