Ulster J Archaeol 3 ser 49

Although the possibility of a Late Upper Palaeolithic presence should not be ruled out, the earliest human evidence so far is at 9000 BP (Mount Sandel) with Lough Boora slightly later, both anomalous in the British context by reason of having microliths dominant. The route into Ireland is still unknown, and interior resources were poor. In Later Mesolithic (which appears after a seeming 500-1000 year gap) the assemblages are local and idiosyncratic, with presumably multi-function tools. Firm evidence for the spread of agriculture at about 5800 5300 BP is still missing.

Neolithic burials were found in pits and cists, and there were remains of a megalithic tomb. The site continued in use as a Bronze Age cemetery (Food Vessels, Cordoned Urns); later still it was modified (1st millennium AD) for a rath. Neolithic arrowheads, beads, perforated pieces, javelin head; Early Christian metalworking; skeletal analysis (13 individuals cremated); petrology and chemical analysis of pottery and of local clays; phosphate analyses. The mound has been reconstituted.

The crannog is more complex than Oliver Davies realised, and although its early phase is LBA/EIA, the main period is Early Christian, with dendrodates in early 7th century. The crannog was extended several times. (See also 88/454.)