Midden in Inishcottle Island

Located on the N shoreline of Inishcottle Island, a drumlin island, which lies close to the mainland in the inner NE reaches of Clew Bay. This midden is exposed in section at the interface of the land-edge and the shoreline. The land-edge takes the form of a vertical earthen scarp (H 0.8-1m), topped with a post and wire fence, which defines the N end of a pasture field. It drops directly to the boulder-strewn, gravelly shoreline. The midden is visible at the base of the scarp. It consists of a dense concentration (D 0.3m) of oyster shells, which can be traced for c. 12m E-W. The upper levels of the shell layer are mixed with lenses of black, charcoal-rich soil. The midden is obscured, in parts, by over-hanging vegetation, collapsed sections of the scarp, and by shoreline boulders. The E end of the layer is poorly preserved, with short sections (L c. 2m) eroded out by tidal action. Attachments: MA076-046----_01.JPG Midden viewed from N MA076-046----_02.JPG Charcoal-rich soil in the upper levels of midden MA076-046----_03.JPG Location viewed from NW Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 12 February 2018