County: Galway Site name: Ardnasillagh, Co. Galway
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR GA055-073 Licence number: —
Author: —
Site type: GRAVES OF INDETERMINATE DATE
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 516676m, N 742179m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.423141, -9.253630
In February 1994 human remains were discovered at Ardnasillagh, near Oughterard, Co. Galway.97 The find was apparently reported to the Gardaí, who brought the remains to Professor Jean Folan-Curran of the Anatomy Department in University College, Galway. The find was not brought to the attention of the Museum while the remains were in situ, and there was therefore no opportunity to examine the site. No information is recorded as to the position of the skeleton when found.
Human remains
JEAN FOLAN-CURRAN
The bones were those of an incomplete human skeleton. Measurements of the sub-pubic angle and the greater sciatic notch indicate that the subject was female.
The age of the subject would appear to be between fifteen and seventeen years. The base of the coracoid process of the scapula was fused. This occurs early after puberty. In the femur no fusion of the head or of either trochanter has occurred, indicating that the subject had not reached seventeen years of age. The Y-shaped acetabular cartilage had not yet fused. This fusion occurs at about fifteen.
It is impossible anatomically to determine how long ago this person lived. The teeth show no evidence of caries or of dental fillings, which might indicate a diet low in sugar.
97. Parish of Kilcummin, barony of Moycullen. SMR GA055-073——. No associated sites are known from this townland.
