Midden

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the edge of a headland projecting from the NE end of Coney Island, in Sligo Bay. The midden is visible in section in a vertical scarp or low cliff which defines the E side of the headland, bordering a stone-strewn shoreline. The location provides access at low tide to a broad expanse of sand flats. Much of the cliff face is obscured by overgrowth, and only a small portion (L 1m N−S; D 0.1-0.2m) of the midden layer is exposed to view at a height of c. 1m above the shoreline. It consists of a concentration of cockle and limpet shell. In 2009 the midden was sampled (09E0174) for radiocarbon analysis and produced a date in the Early Medieval period (Sherlock et al. 2009, 2-6; Kytmanov et al. 2010, 23). There is a bastioned fort (SL014-002----) on the headland, above the midden.

Compiled by: Jane O’ Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 29 September 2016

References

Synge, F.M 1985 Coastal Evolution. In The Quaternary History of Ireland, 115-31. London.

Sherlock, R., Kytmannow, T., Hunt, C. 2009 Sligo Islands Research Project: Archaeological Survey and Sampling Programme Excavation Licence No.: 09E0174. Unpublished Interim Report submitted to NMS on October 2009.

Kytmannow, T., Hunt, C. and Kahlert, T. 2010 Living on the Edge: Archaeological Survey of shell middens on five islands in Sligo Bay, second season. Unpublished Final Report to the Heritage Council of Ireland, 12th of Dec 2010. Heritage Research Grants Scheme, 2010: Reference R00533.