Report on the results of archaeological monitoring and excavation at Dunmore Cave which resulted ... more Report on the results of archaeological monitoring and excavation at Dunmore Cave which resulted in the recovery of human remains, animal bones, Viking glass beads and ringed pins. The first radiocarbon dates on human bone from the site were obtained, indicating Early Medieval / Viking activities.
Dowd, M, Lynch, L G, Cassidy, L, Bonsall, J, Kahlert, T, Reimer, P, Svyatko, S, OCarroll, E, Reil... more Dowd, M, Lynch, L G, Cassidy, L, Bonsall, J, Kahlert, T, Reimer, P, Svyatko, S, OCarroll, E, Reilly, E, Noonan, A & Beglane, F 2020, 'Neolithic engagements with the dead: mortuary processing on Bengorm Mountain in the north-west of Ireland', Oxford Journal of Archaeology 39: 4, 368-394. https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12206.
The winter storms of early 2015 toppled a beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate outside Collo... more The winter storms of early 2015 toppled a beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate outside Collooney, Co. Sligo, exposing a badly disturbed human skeleton. Osteoarchaeological analysis revealed that the remains were those of a young adult male aged 17-20 years at the time of death. He had been stabbed repeatedly to the chest, and a cut to the left hand probably represents a defensive wound. Radiocarbon dating indicates he was killed during the early medieval period, specifically between 1028 and 1206 AD. This paper is to present the details of the excavation. Introduction When a large beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate in Cloonmacduff townland outside Collooney, Co. Sligo, was blown over by winter storms in early 2015, the upper portion of a human skeleton was exposed tangled up in the tree root system (Figs. 1-3). The site is just over 1km northeast of the village of Collooney and 9km south of Sligo town (ITM 568857/826725). It was several more months before the discovery was brought to the attention of the archaeological authorities, by which time trampling by cattle had led to a degree of damage and destruction to the remains, particularly the cranium. In May 2015 the National Monuments Service commissioned a rescue excavation of the skeleton which took place over three days, directed by M. Dowd under licence 15E0242. This was an unusual excavation situation in that the tree roots had grown down through and enveloped the skeleton and, when the tree fell, caused the femora to break thereby raising the upper part of the skeleton (from skull to mid-section of upper thighs) into the air at a 90 degree angle. The skeleton was effectively snapped in two at the femora (thigh bones) leaving the lower thigh and leg bones in situ in the ground. The unusual way in which the human remains became exposed meant that the upper part of the skeleton was excavated in elevation-as if dealing with a vertical section face (Fig. 4). Several bones were completely encased by roots and could not be retrieved, particularly those from the right side of the body. The hollow created by the skull was still clearly visible within the root and soil matrix, but the skull itself was missing. Other bones, such as clavicles and scapulae (collar bones and shoulder blades), appear to have been removed or destroyed in the months between the tree fall and the archaeological excavation-probably largely as a consequence of cattle using the tree hole for shelter. Osteoarchaeological analysis established the skeleton as that of a young man aged 17-20 years old at the time of death. The burial was radiocarbon dated to the early medieval period, between 1028 and 1206 AD. The body had originally been placed in an extended supine position, orientated west/east, with the head to the west. Hand bones were recovered from amongst the tree roots in association with bones from the pelvic region, indicating that originally the forearms may have been slightly flexed with the hands clasped or lying over the lower abdomen. The body had been placed lying somewhat on the right side: on excavation the left leg was clearly above the right, with the left knee resting on the side of the right knee (Fig. 5). This position can be accounted for by the presence of a naturally occurring large stone which would have prevented the corpse from being laid out perfectly level, but rather forced the body into a slightly tilted position. No trace of a grave cut was apparent though one must have existed, and no artefacts or ecofacts were retrieved (despite 100% dry sieving of excavated deposits).
In the nineteenth century Ireland, Poor Law Union Workhouses provided indoor relief for destitute... more In the nineteenth century Ireland, Poor Law Union Workhouses provided indoor relief for destitute paupers, but ultimately became synonymous with the Great Famine of 1845-52. Human skeletal remains have recently been excavated from a number of these sites and osteoarchaeological analysis confirms the poor health status of those who died within the institutions. This paper examines in particular the demographic profile of the dead, which reveals a number of biases in terms of ages-at-death. Overall, there were high proportions of individuals aged less than 18 years at the time of death. Within that group there was a noticeable lack of infants, and the proportions of older juveniles and young adults were also low. Equal numbers of female and male adults were present in the cemeteries. The possible explanations behind these various biases will be explored. The context of the burials is also examined in detail. The non-status of the pauper in nineteenth century society is succinctly preserved in both the manner, and particularly the location, of the burials. The invisibility of the pauper in life, and subsequently in death, has ironically resulted in their skeletal remains now being more visible than those who survived the workhouses. The examination of the mortuary context of the burials adds considerably to the scientific analysis and the interpretation of that evidence.
The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West , 2007
Cremation was the predominant rite in the treatment of human remains during the Bronze Age in Ire... more Cremation was the predominant rite in the treatment of human remains during the Bronze Age in Ireland. It is evident that this process formed a very significant and highly symbolic aspect of the funerary ritual. This chapter integrates osteological and environmental (charcoal and plant macro-fossil) information from archaeological sites along the Gas Pipeline to the West in Ireland. This analysis highlights the incredibly intricate and variable physical treatment of the dead and discusses the use and manipulation of human bone during the funerary process.
Recent archaeological monitoring in Dunmore Cave resulted in the recovery of a quantity of human
... more Recent archaeological monitoring in Dunmore Cave resulted in the recovery of a quantity of human bones, animal bones and artefacts. The first radiocarbon dates for human remains from the site were obtained and, overall, the evidence is consistent with earlier discoveries that link the cave to Viking activity of circa 10th century date.
Page 1. 493 Prehistoric burial and ritual, in southwest Ireland TRACY COLLINS 81 LINDA LYNCH* FIG... more Page 1. 493 Prehistoric burial and ritual, in southwest Ireland TRACY COLLINS 81 LINDA LYNCH* FIGURE 1. Excavation of features at Rockfield in progress (0 Aegis Archaeology Limited). FIGURE 2. View of crematorium, from north (0 Aegis Archaeology Limited). ...
... Titre du document / Document title. The human remains from irish caves project Auteur(s) / Au... more ... Titre du document / Document title. The human remains from irish caves project Auteur(s) / Author(s). DOWD Marion ; FIBIGER Linda ; LYNCH Linda G. ; Revue / Journal Title. Archaeology Ireland ISSN 0790-892X Source / Source. 2006, vol. 20, n o 3, pp. 16-19 [4 page(s) (article ...
Report on the results of archaeological monitoring and excavation at Dunmore Cave which resulted ... more Report on the results of archaeological monitoring and excavation at Dunmore Cave which resulted in the recovery of human remains, animal bones, Viking glass beads and ringed pins. The first radiocarbon dates on human bone from the site were obtained, indicating Early Medieval / Viking activities.
Dowd, M, Lynch, L G, Cassidy, L, Bonsall, J, Kahlert, T, Reimer, P, Svyatko, S, OCarroll, E, Reil... more Dowd, M, Lynch, L G, Cassidy, L, Bonsall, J, Kahlert, T, Reimer, P, Svyatko, S, OCarroll, E, Reilly, E, Noonan, A & Beglane, F 2020, 'Neolithic engagements with the dead: mortuary processing on Bengorm Mountain in the north-west of Ireland', Oxford Journal of Archaeology 39: 4, 368-394. https://doi.org/10.1111/ojoa.12206.
The winter storms of early 2015 toppled a beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate outside Collo... more The winter storms of early 2015 toppled a beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate outside Collooney, Co. Sligo, exposing a badly disturbed human skeleton. Osteoarchaeological analysis revealed that the remains were those of a young adult male aged 17-20 years at the time of death. He had been stabbed repeatedly to the chest, and a cut to the left hand probably represents a defensive wound. Radiocarbon dating indicates he was killed during the early medieval period, specifically between 1028 and 1206 AD. This paper is to present the details of the excavation. Introduction When a large beech tree on the Cooper (Markree) estate in Cloonmacduff townland outside Collooney, Co. Sligo, was blown over by winter storms in early 2015, the upper portion of a human skeleton was exposed tangled up in the tree root system (Figs. 1-3). The site is just over 1km northeast of the village of Collooney and 9km south of Sligo town (ITM 568857/826725). It was several more months before the discovery was brought to the attention of the archaeological authorities, by which time trampling by cattle had led to a degree of damage and destruction to the remains, particularly the cranium. In May 2015 the National Monuments Service commissioned a rescue excavation of the skeleton which took place over three days, directed by M. Dowd under licence 15E0242. This was an unusual excavation situation in that the tree roots had grown down through and enveloped the skeleton and, when the tree fell, caused the femora to break thereby raising the upper part of the skeleton (from skull to mid-section of upper thighs) into the air at a 90 degree angle. The skeleton was effectively snapped in two at the femora (thigh bones) leaving the lower thigh and leg bones in situ in the ground. The unusual way in which the human remains became exposed meant that the upper part of the skeleton was excavated in elevation-as if dealing with a vertical section face (Fig. 4). Several bones were completely encased by roots and could not be retrieved, particularly those from the right side of the body. The hollow created by the skull was still clearly visible within the root and soil matrix, but the skull itself was missing. Other bones, such as clavicles and scapulae (collar bones and shoulder blades), appear to have been removed or destroyed in the months between the tree fall and the archaeological excavation-probably largely as a consequence of cattle using the tree hole for shelter. Osteoarchaeological analysis established the skeleton as that of a young man aged 17-20 years old at the time of death. The burial was radiocarbon dated to the early medieval period, between 1028 and 1206 AD. The body had originally been placed in an extended supine position, orientated west/east, with the head to the west. Hand bones were recovered from amongst the tree roots in association with bones from the pelvic region, indicating that originally the forearms may have been slightly flexed with the hands clasped or lying over the lower abdomen. The body had been placed lying somewhat on the right side: on excavation the left leg was clearly above the right, with the left knee resting on the side of the right knee (Fig. 5). This position can be accounted for by the presence of a naturally occurring large stone which would have prevented the corpse from being laid out perfectly level, but rather forced the body into a slightly tilted position. No trace of a grave cut was apparent though one must have existed, and no artefacts or ecofacts were retrieved (despite 100% dry sieving of excavated deposits).
In the nineteenth century Ireland, Poor Law Union Workhouses provided indoor relief for destitute... more In the nineteenth century Ireland, Poor Law Union Workhouses provided indoor relief for destitute paupers, but ultimately became synonymous with the Great Famine of 1845-52. Human skeletal remains have recently been excavated from a number of these sites and osteoarchaeological analysis confirms the poor health status of those who died within the institutions. This paper examines in particular the demographic profile of the dead, which reveals a number of biases in terms of ages-at-death. Overall, there were high proportions of individuals aged less than 18 years at the time of death. Within that group there was a noticeable lack of infants, and the proportions of older juveniles and young adults were also low. Equal numbers of female and male adults were present in the cemeteries. The possible explanations behind these various biases will be explored. The context of the burials is also examined in detail. The non-status of the pauper in nineteenth century society is succinctly preserved in both the manner, and particularly the location, of the burials. The invisibility of the pauper in life, and subsequently in death, has ironically resulted in their skeletal remains now being more visible than those who survived the workhouses. The examination of the mortuary context of the burials adds considerably to the scientific analysis and the interpretation of that evidence.
The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West , 2007
Cremation was the predominant rite in the treatment of human remains during the Bronze Age in Ire... more Cremation was the predominant rite in the treatment of human remains during the Bronze Age in Ireland. It is evident that this process formed a very significant and highly symbolic aspect of the funerary ritual. This chapter integrates osteological and environmental (charcoal and plant macro-fossil) information from archaeological sites along the Gas Pipeline to the West in Ireland. This analysis highlights the incredibly intricate and variable physical treatment of the dead and discusses the use and manipulation of human bone during the funerary process.
Recent archaeological monitoring in Dunmore Cave resulted in the recovery of a quantity of human
... more Recent archaeological monitoring in Dunmore Cave resulted in the recovery of a quantity of human bones, animal bones and artefacts. The first radiocarbon dates for human remains from the site were obtained and, overall, the evidence is consistent with earlier discoveries that link the cave to Viking activity of circa 10th century date.
Page 1. 493 Prehistoric burial and ritual, in southwest Ireland TRACY COLLINS 81 LINDA LYNCH* FIG... more Page 1. 493 Prehistoric burial and ritual, in southwest Ireland TRACY COLLINS 81 LINDA LYNCH* FIGURE 1. Excavation of features at Rockfield in progress (0 Aegis Archaeology Limited). FIGURE 2. View of crematorium, from north (0 Aegis Archaeology Limited). ...
... Titre du document / Document title. The human remains from irish caves project Auteur(s) / Au... more ... Titre du document / Document title. The human remains from irish caves project Auteur(s) / Author(s). DOWD Marion ; FIBIGER Linda ; LYNCH Linda G. ; Revue / Journal Title. Archaeology Ireland ISSN 0790-892X Source / Source. 2006, vol. 20, n o 3, pp. 16-19 [4 page(s) (article ...
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bones, animal bones and artefacts. The first radiocarbon dates for human remains from the site were
obtained and, overall, the evidence is consistent with earlier discoveries that link the cave to Viking
activity of circa 10th century date.
Other
bones, animal bones and artefacts. The first radiocarbon dates for human remains from the site were
obtained and, overall, the evidence is consistent with earlier discoveries that link the cave to Viking
activity of circa 10th century date.