Burial in Kildangan

According to a local information several skeletons were discovered when digging around a destroyed enclosure (SMR OF016-010001-) (Davies 1942). Site levelled about ten years ago, consisted of a large circular shaped enclosure defined by an earthen bank and outer fosse. This enclosure actually formed a circular field boundary. Inside this enclosure there was another enclosure defined by an earthen bank and outer fosse. This latter enclosure was locally known as the fort and may have been a ringfort. Described in 1942 as 'On a slight rise on open plain near a river. Grave with good pasture. Fair view. There is no fosse or bank, but some stones around the edge thrown off the field. The place is very overgrown with thorns, which the owner is afraid to move. Appr. Circ. About 30 yds or more across. Human bones are said to have been found round (in?) the site. Close by is a thornbush which a man interfered with and was paralysed' (ITA Survey 1942). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

A Neolithic burial associated with a destroyed circular enclosure; significance lies in its potential connection to early agrarian settlement and funerary practices in the region.