BRONZE AGE BONANZA
April 10 1996
Site near town centre dates back 4,000 years
ARCHAEOLOGISTS from the Office of Public Works are surveying a location near Castlebar where evidence of human habitation dating back more than 4,000 years have been discovered. The site, just three-quarters of a mile from the centre of Castlebar have been described by local archaeologist, Mr. Christy Lawless as " very exciting and very important".
The area was pinpointed by Ernie Sweeney who contacted the landowner who instantly acknowledged the importance of the find. Mr. Lawless visited the site with Mr. Sweeney. He said there were a whole suite of sites and monuments in a small valley area illustrating different periods in the last four thousand years.
Mr. Lawless said: "A very important feature is that this area had its ancient roadway which gave easy access to the area in ancient times."
The sites include, the ancient roadway, a heavy concentration of fragments of pottery confined to a small hillock which would suggest a pottery making industry.
There were also traces of fossilised shellfish and coral on the recently unearthed sheets of limestone rock as well as ancient stonewall fences, rectangular and circular house foundations which can date from Neolithic times 5,000 years ago down to a few hundred years ago.
Mr. Lawless also located lime kilns, a bullaun stone which are associated with early church sites, a church site and a group of five Bronze Age fulachta fiadh (cooking places) which can date to between 2,500 and 4,000 years ago.
Mr. Lawless said: "This is a beautiful natural boulder landscape approximately two acres in area under a canopy of natural woodland."
"This area is surrounded by a circular ancient fence and the ancient roadway passes through it. Inside this boulder landscape there is the rectangular and circular house foundations., a bullaun stone and a lime kiln."
It is to the credit of Mr. Sweeney and the good will and interest of the landowner that this very important piece of our heritage is saved from destruction."
The OPW is at present carrying out a survey of the area and is recording the sites in the Sites and Monuments Record of Ireland for preservation. Mr. Johnny Mee, a member of Mayo County Council who visited the site said: "
This is a very significant find. Being so close to the town centre of Castlebar it is amazing that it was not uncovered sooner."
He paid tribute to those associated with the find and the landowner for his co-operation in preserving the ancient site.
Connaught Telegraph - News - April 1996
