Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

Discovered through archaeological test excavation in association with the ‘N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge Road Project’ (Ministerial Direction No. A077; Registration No. E5131).

Three inhumation burials were discovered associated with a ringfort (RO022-173----) and were excavated and designated SK1, SK2 and SK3 by the excavators:

SK1
Located to SE of the ringfort entrance. A shallow (D 0.3m) circular (diam. 0.65m) grave cut in the fill of a linear ditch contained the skeletal remains of a young child, c. six years of age, interred with both legs hyper-flexed on the chest. The upper left arm was laid parallel with the spine, the right arm was flexed on the chest at a 45 degree angle and the chest was slumped down and the spine was partially dislocated. (The skull position was unknown due to historical damage). An irregular-shaped flat marker stone (L 0.35m N-S; Wth 0.25m; T 0.1m) had been placed over the backfilled grave.

SK2
A second inhumation was located directly opposite, and c. 5m to E of, the ringfort entrance within a very shallow (D0.1m) oval grave cut (diams. 1.04m E-W; 0.44m N-S) in the upper fill of a linear drainage ditch. The skeletal remains of an infant or very young child were laid with the skull to the W and feet to the E.

SK3
A third inhumation burial was located c. 62m to the SW of the ringfort where it appeared to possibly be cutting into and partially disturbing a kiln (RO022-173003-). The grave was circular in plan (diam. 0.98m; D 0.65m) and contained a crouched burial. A detailed osteological analysis and report is to be carried out in post-excavation and included in a final report.

While the three burials are associated with the ringfort (RO022-173----) each differs fundamentally in funerary rite, position and form. This notwithstanding, the symbolic function of all three was interpreted as being similar, with each placed within a small grave cut into the final activity of a specific feature. This suggests that the interments may have formed part of a closing ritual activity marking the end of life/use of the ringfort and its environs. However, radiocarbon dating results for all three burials is awaited to inform this proposition.

Reference: Joe Nunan, Saoirse Bailey and Dr Paul Stevens, ‘Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Stage (iii) Post-Excavation Assessment Report: Lurgan 3’ (Unpublished, 2022)

See attached image: RO022-173002-_01 Snip of Plate 22 in Post-Excavation Assessment Report: looking N over excavated burial SK1.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy based on information provided by Deirdre McCarthy.

Date of upload: 11 August 2023