Cist in Haywood Demesne

Cremated bones found within a short rectangular cist (L c. 0.9m, Wth c.0.6m, D c. 0.45m) (JRSAI 1970, 122). The National Museum of Ireland recorded that in ‘March 1956 a short cist containing a cremation was discovered during ploughing operations on a farm near Ballinakill, Co. Laois. The capstone of the cist, which was hit by the plough, lay at a depth of 0.45m. The bones found within the cist were removed and sent to the NMI by Mr Christy O'Shea of Ballinakill. The cist was filled in before it was possible for the Museum to visit the site. The only available report is that of Mr O'Shea, upon which this account is based. The site was in the townland of Haywood Demesne, south Co. Laois, close to the border with County Kilkenny. The site was not investigated and the exact location was not established. The grave consisted of a short cist measuring approximately 0.9m long by 0.6m wide by 0.45m deep. The sides and ends of the cist were lined with slabs, although the number is not clear. The cist was sealed by a single capstone measuring approximately 1.2m long by 0.9m wide. It is not known whether or not the cist was paved. The cist contained a cremation (1956:215) but no accompanying artefacts were found. The human remains from this site have not been dated. In the absence of any pottery or other grave-goods it is assumed that it is of early Bronze Age date, based on its form and dimensions. There was a substantial cremation deposit in the cist containing at least three individuals—two young persons and one adult. The cist contained a large sample of efficiently cremated bone weighing 1,485g. The bones consisted mainly of very large fragments and do not appear to have been highly crushed, either the time of deposition or at the time of discovery. The amount of skull recovered was more than twice what would have been expected but there was very little axial skeleton remaining. It has been found from other complete cremations that a disproportionately large runt of skull usually indicates that more than one individual is present. Indeed, there appeared to be three individuals present in this cremation; two were juveniles or adolescents one was an adult’ (Cahill & Sikora 2011, vol.1, 251-5). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 10 August 2012