Barrow - ring-barrow

The National Monuments Service's description

This barrow was excavated in 1973 and the following is a summary of results as published in the excavations bulletin (McCabe 1974): 'Six burial mounds have been located at Rathnarrow. Barrow III is a low circular mound with a slight central depression surrounded by a round-bottomed ditch of varying width with a low broad earthen bank at its outer edge. The mound is 15m in diameter and 1 .20m higher than the bottom of the ditch. The ditch is 7 — 8 broad, the bank 6m broad and about 20 cm high. The 1973 excavation was limited to a preliminary cutting in the N.E. quadrant. This revealed a portion of a pit under the centre of the mound which rises to a maximum height of 40 cm above the old ground surface. Limited excavation of the upper pit-fill produced many fragments of cremated human bone. The cutting exposed two parallel arcs of irregularly weathered grey-white limestones resting on the old ground surface underneath the mound. The arcs, possibly parts of two concentric rings, are 1 .20m and 3.80m from the centre. The stones which have small spaces between them average 30cm long x 25cm broad x 25cm high. Between the two arcs in a concentration of smaller stones. All save four were resting on the old ground surface. Between these stones and on the ancient soil were many fragments of charcoal. Where excavated the ditch was found to have been c. 2.60m deep originally. Traces of broad cultivation ridges were found crossing the bank. One of these yielded a 19th century clay pipe bowl. A thick layer of ancient soil with a clearly defined limit 3m outside the outer lip of the ditch was found beneath the bank The ancient soil and ditch fill promise to yield considerable ecological data. Some waste flint flakes were found but no artifacts.'

See attached OS 25-inch map showing location of barrow.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 19 March 2015

References

McCabe, J. 1974 Rathnarrow. Barrow (No. 3 of group). Excavations 1973. Summary accounts of archaeological work in Ireland, 27, no. 37.