What is recorded here

Midden in Doonloughan, keerhaun South, truska is a two-kilometre ribbon of shell and bone stretching from Doonloughan Bay to Knock headland, where huts, walls and burials still mark repeated human presence. Dating near AD 700-900, it records kitchens, feasts and deaths rather than a single dramatic event. The coast kept returning people because it gave food, visibility and room to live.

To SW of a similar, if not associated, midden complex (GA035-024----). An extensive series of middens and habitation sites which extend for c.2km along the coast between Doonloughan Bay, to S, and Knock headland to N. Composed mainly of shells, including periwinkle, whelk, limpet and cockle, but quantities of animal bones are also in evidence (pers. comm. F. Mc Cormick). A number of huts (GA048-008002-), stone walls, enclosures and burials (GA048-008009-) are associated with the middens. A number of stray finds have been recovered over the years. A sample taken in 1988 has produced a calibrated 14C determination of between AD 700-900 (pers. comm. M. Gibbons). (Gibbons et al. 1988, 65-8; Waddell 1977, 63) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). Date of upload: 05 August 2010

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