Midden in Horse Island

This is one of three middens (SL007-045----; SL007-046----; SL007-047----) exposed in section on the shoreline of Horse Island. A sampling strategy (09E0174) was undertaken in 2009 as part of a radio-carbon dating programme (Sherlock et al. 2009). This large midden which extends around the E tip of the island produced cattle, sheep and pig bones, as well as fish bone and evidence of cereals (Kytmannow et al. 2009, 16). Radiocarbon analysis of a charcoal sample returned an Early Christian date. Sampling at SL007-047---- also returned a date (from charcoal) in the Early Christian period. It is suggested that these middens may be part of a more extensive system along this stretch of the island shoreline (pers. comm. T. Kytmannow 2012). Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of revised upload: 6 June 2016