Cist in Cush

One of 4 urn/cist burials (LI048-034017/020-) in W half of bivallate ringfort (LI048-034016-) excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 128-132) between 1934-5. Urn burial described by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 110-111) as; 'Burial No. III was also contained in a cist grave of excellent construction. It lay immediately north of the larger of the two stones inside, and to the left of, the entrance to the fort [LI048-034016-]. The internal measurements of the grave were 2 feet 2 inches [0.65m] by 15 inches [0.38m] and the height 14 inches [0.35m]. The base of the cist was formed by a slab, remarkably regular in shape and well fitted between the side slabs, being wedged in position with small pebbles. The cap-stone was a large and weighty slab, its dimensions being about 41 inches [1.04m] by 35 inches [0.88m] with a maximum thickness of about 14 inches [0.35m]. The cist contained a large quantity of cremated remains, the cremation having been very incompletely performed. There was no urn nor grave goods of any kind.’ See attached plans and photos from Ó Ríordáin. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 5 September 2021

Cist burial, likely Early Christian or Iron Age. Part of a small cluster of burials within a ringfort, indicating a possible domestic or ritual funerary context.