ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND NEAR NAAS

LEINSTER  LEADER 1 FEBRUARY 1930

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIND NEAR NAAS

PREHISTORIC INTERMENT

To Naas, which is one of the most interesting and important archaeological centres in Ireland, has been added yet another link in the chain of discovery.

Acting on a report furnished by Sergeant Redmond, Civic Guard, Naas, Mr. L. S. Gogan, of the Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum, carried out the investigation of a prehistoric interment recently discovered in a sandpit (section of Kildare Esker), the property of Mr. Thos. Jones.

On arriving there he found that the burial chamber had fallen over into the pit, carrying with it the contents of the grave. The chamber consisted of a large slab, buried in the sand about 18 inches or more below the original surface of the Esker on the N.E. slope.

According to information supplied by Mr. Jones, the urn was in what would be the N.E. corner of the chamber, and beside it was a heap of bones. However, judging by the interior of the vessel, the remains had been cremated and placed in the urn, which, it is presumed, was standing on its base.  Breakage doubtless occurred when the heavy cover slab was precipitated into the pit, carrying with it much of the urn, most of which, it is hoped, has been discovered.  Until a restoration has been effected it will be impracticable to say anything about the typology and chronology of the urn, though Mr. Gogan is of the opinion that it adds a new type to the sepulchral Keramic of Ireland.

Another interment was discovered here several years ago, but not reported upon. In the immediate vicinity was found one of the most magnificent gold torques in existence.  It was acquired by the late Lord Walter FitzGerald, and is now preserved, with other items, at Kilkea Castle.

Mr. Gogan wishes to acknowledge the friendly help of Mr. Jones, and also of Sergeant Redmond, Naas, whose efforts led to the discovery of some essential sections of the era.

Retyped by Jennifer O’Connor