Cremated remains in Cush

In rough pasture, in centre of an archaeological complex (LI048-034006/042-) located on the 'Supposed Site of Temaír Erann', which was the ancient cemetery of the Ernai tribe on Slievereagh (Sliabh Riabhach) (Westropp 1919, 9; Westropp 1917-19, 179; Westropp 1918, 111). One of three bowl-barrows (LI048-034010/012-), within a large field system (LI048-034001-), ringfort (LI048-034008-) lies 30m to NE and a cist (LI048-034015-) lies 38m to SW. Bowl-barrow listed as Tumulus II (LI048-034012-) with cremated burial , excavated by Ó Ríordáin (1940, 137-8) between 1934-5. Cremated remains described by Ó Ríordáin as follows; 'on the old ground surface an area irregularly circular in outline and about 12 feet [4m] in diameter was found to be covered with a light charcoal deposit in which were scattered fragments of cremated bone. It was evident that this area was the site of a fire, on which, no doubt, the cremation had been carried out and over which the tumulus [LI048-034012-] had been built. Near the centre of the fire-blackened area was a hole somewhat elliptical in outline (diameters 11 inches [0.28m] and 9½ inches [0.24]) and 4 inches [0.1m] deep’. The hole contained cremated bones mixed with charcoal while near the top of the deposit, covered by a thin layer of charcoal, was a small ornamented bone plaque. This plaque had evidently been in the fire and its surface was cracked by the heat' (ibid. 137). See attached plan from Ó Ríordáin. Compiled by: Fiona Rooney Date of upload: 30 August 2021