Cist in Courtlough

A cist (Grave 1) was discovered in 1939 on a broad hilltop at Courtlough. It contained a simple bowl Food vessel. The capstone of the cist (dims. 1m E-W; 0.7m N-S; H 1.1m) was of megalithic proportions and lay only a few centimetres below ground level. The hill is known locally as the 'Moat hill' but there was no earthwork present at the time of discovery (Morris 1939, 117). The cist was rectangular in plan, with its long axis aligned NNE-SSW (Int dims L 0.89m. Wth 0.55m). It was formed of four main slabs set on edge. The N end slab bore decoration in the form of 'a picked -out basin' on its upright end and incised parallel lines on its side. Further stones were laid on top of the main slabs in the SW corner so the capstone would rest level on them. The floor of the cist was formed of clay . A simple bowl had been placed in the NE corner. Follow-up excavations by Mr Kilbride Jones revealed a pit-burial (Grave 2) just E of the cist(Du005-079---). Further deposits of cremated bone were found to the E and W of the cist. The site is located on a high ridge with extensive views north. In the southern field boundary is what appears as a standing stone c.1.5m h and 1m at base. It is an upended cist stone. According to notes dated 06/05/1939 the capstone was removed by Mr Monk 'The side stones of the cist now rest on a top pf the hill at the trees' NMI Topographical Files). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 08 February 2015

A megalithic cist dating to the Neolithic or early Bronze Age; its significance lies in the unusual size of its capstone, indicating possible ceremonial or elite burial practices.