Midden

The National Monuments Service's description

At the W end of Rosses Point peninsula, located on a W-facing rocky slope at the N end of the small/south beach at Rosses Upper. The ground rises quite steeply in a grassy slope above the midden and drops to a sloping rocky surface below the midden.
A thin layer of oyster shells (L c. 2m NE−SW; max. D 0.05m) is visible in section. It is overlain by a layer (D 0.4m) of sand topped with marram grass, and overlies a thin layer of orange-brown boulder clay, which overlies bedrock. The quantities of oyster shell exposed are meage, and the shells are in a fragmentary condition. The original extend of the midden is unclear; it seems likely that much of it has already been eroded away.
Two other middens (SL008-219----; SL008-203----) are located c. 9m to NW and 8m to SE, respectively. The three middens are in quite close proximity and all have a similar composition; it is possible that one or more of these middens are related.

Notified to NMS by Tamlyn McHugh

Attached images:
SL008-220----_01.JPG location of midden viewed from N
SL008-220----_02.JPG viewed from W
SL008-220----_03.JPG detail of shells

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 26 July 2021