What is recorded here

Stone row in Derrymihin West stands on a rocky crest above Bear Haven, where four stones once marked a line toward Minane island. Somerville measured the remaining stumps and broken lengths in 1910, catching the row after human hands had already taken one stone for a fence. The sea keeps the lost part, returning only the shape of what was taken.

On crest of rocky eminence 200m from N shoreline of Bear Haven close to Minane island. When surveyed by Somerville in 1910, row consisted of four stones, aligned ENE-WSW, and 19ft in overall length. The "remains" of a fifth stone which had been removed from the row were visible in a fence otN. Stones averaged 11/2ft T; only stump of NE stone remained. Next stone, 4ft to SW, was c. 31/2ft L and stood 3ft 4ins H. Third stone, 1ft further to SW,was c. 61/2ft long and stood 3ft 6ins H. Stump of fourth stone, 1ft to the SW, was c. 41/2ft L. No visible surface trace. (UCC) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

Probably dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, the stone row may have had ceremonial or ritual significance, possibly aligning with solar or lunar events. Such arrangements are often associated with funerary practices or territorial markers in prehistoric landscapes.

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