Urn burial, Magheracar, Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal |

Burial Sites

Urn burial, Magheracar, Co. Donegal

In 2001, archaeologists working ahead of a housing development at Magheracar, near the Leitrim/Donegal border, uncovered evidence of ancient agricultural practices and a remarkable Bronze Age burial.

The site sits within a rich archaeological landscape that includes a passage tomb, a wedge tomb and two standing stones; all of which were carefully preserved with protective buffer zones during the development works. Initial geophysical surveys had detected several underground anomalies, prompting Christopher Read and his team from North West Archaeological Services to investigate further through targeted excavations.

The archaeological team opened four test areas, each measuring 20 metres square, whilst simultaneously monitoring the mechanical removal of topsoil across the remainder of the site. Their careful approach paid off when they discovered a large corn-drying kiln complete with two flues in one of the excavation areas, providing evidence of past agricultural processing at the site. The kiln would have been used to dry grain before storage or grinding, a crucial part of farming life in ancient Ireland. In another cutting, they found what appeared to be old field furrows, though these couldn't be dated due to the absence of any associated artefacts.

The most extraordinary discovery came when the digger bucket narrowly missed a completely intact collared urn, sitting upright in the ground and filled with cremated human remains. These distinctive Bronze Age vessels, dating from around 2000 to 1500 BCE, were typically used to hold the cremated bones of the deceased and represent an important burial tradition of prehistoric Ireland. The urn was so well preserved that archaeologists were able to remove it in a block of soil for careful excavation in laboratory conditions, where conservators could properly document and analyse both the vessel and its contents. This chance discovery, combined with the corn-drying kiln, offers a glimpse into both the ritual and everyday lives of the people who once inhabited this corner of Donegal thousands of years ago.

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