2016:490 - Gooreen, Omey Island, Galway

In 2016 there was further exposure of human remains on the northern coastline of Omey Island at the same location as reported in 2015 (2015:273).The same methods of rescue excavation that were followed in 2015 were repeated in 2016. The remains of an additional in situ burial were identified during this phase of works bringing the total identified to four adult burials and at least two other adults in the associated disarticulated material. Only skeletal remains that were exposed and were at immediate risk were removed. All skeletal remains were analysed by the writer.

As noted previously, two of the individuals had been buried together, and both individuals had suffered extensive peri-mortem sharp-force trauma injuries. A large boulder, overlying the double burial, may have been part of the burial rite. Following the excavation, the resulting hollows were reinstated using sand that had eroded off the sand-cliff. Samples from two of the burials, including one individual from the double burial, were radiocarbon dated and returned dates spanning from the early 10th through to the mid-12th century. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes results also provided data about dietary intake.

Disarticulated human skeletal remains were also recovered from a rabbit burrow in the immediate vicinity of church GA021-017----, representing at least one juvenile and three adults. A significant pathological process was present in the neck vertebrae of one of the adults.

This project was funded in full by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

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