Cist in Foulksrath (fassadinin By.)

A mid-19th-century report (Anon. 1850-1, 382-4) relates the discovery of a cist near Foulksrath Castle (KK010-056001-) by a ploughman who, 'came in contact with a large stone, within about six inches [0.15m] of the surface'. When the upper stone was removed the cist became apparent. It is described as being, 'about four feet [1.21m] from the general surface of the ground. It was formed of two parallel walls, of rough stones, without any cement. It was terminated at the north end by another wall; at the south no wall could be discovered, though, perhaps, our researches were not carried far enough; but the parallel walls appeared to come to an end. These walls were about three feet [0.91m] in height; their length seven feet and a-half [2.28m]; the interval between them two and a-half feet [0.76m]. The covering-stone which was placed across the cist, and not lengthwise, was four and a-half feet [1.36m] in length, and one and a-half feet [0.45m] in breadth. All the stones were limestone, except the two supporters of the long covering-stone; these were greenstone....The direction of the cist was from north by west, to south by east, and it was situate about one hundred and twenty yards [c. 110m] from the castle. The contents of the cist were - 1st. A layer of ashes, about two inches 0.05m] deep, all over the bottom, mixed with pieces of charcoal. 2nd. Several considerable masses of limestone, which appear to have undergone, in some degree, the action of fire, for they are quite soft, and in many parts easily broken and crumbled by the fingers, yet the crystallization has not been obliterated. 3rd. A quantity of bones, which all appear to have belonged to the fore-quarters of two sheep. 4th. A great number of snail-shells. And, 5th. Three small pieces of stick'. Though within the vicinity of Foulksrath Castle, the precise location of the cist is unknown. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 14 January 2019