Cist in Altaghaderry

This cist was uncovered during ploughing in 2000 or 2001 and investigated by Halpin and Roche on behalf of the NMI, in 2003. Rectangular short cist (int. dims. 0.85m N-S; 0.625m E-W; D 0.51m) whose sides were defined princiaplly by four main slabs set on edge A number of small slabs were also laid horizontally over the N and S ends to raise the height to that of the long sides. There were three possible shallow cup-marks on the S end stone. The floor of the cist was paved with a number of small slate slabs and sloped from south to north. The cist had originally been sealed by a single subrectangular capstone (dims. 1.11m x 86m; T 0.1m). The contents of the cist had been seriously disturbed upon discovery and much of the fill of the cist proved, on excavation, to have been redeposited. Sherds of four bipartite vessels was uncovered. A substantial part of cremations deposits survived, scattered over most of the floor of the cist, apart from the N end and SW and SE corners. Analysis of the cremated bones reveal the presence of 11 individuals: at least five adults, including two males and one female; at least two juveniles under 7 years old; an infant aged 7-11 months; a neotate and two foetuses, probably under 5 months 'in utero'. The cremated bone yielded a date of c. 2195 to 1768 BC. (Cahill and Sikora 2011, Vol. 1, 98-111). Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 12 February 2013