Burial in Ringabella

On cliff-edge over Ringabella strand. Human skull found by O Ríordáin (1934, 86-9). Remainder of body removed by erosion of cliff-face. Position of skull indicated probably crouched posture of body, lying E-W on itsside. No evidence of grave-construction found. Dog whelk shell broken in characteristic manner for extraction of dye, and 'some pieces of burnt clay' recovered from soil above skull. O Ríordáin concludes skull is of an 'early type' and may be burial-plate of kitchen-midden dweller. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

A Neolithic cist burial; significant as an early recorded example of human remains from a coastal context in the region.