ArMstRoNG—On Ancient Graves. 59 
XII1.—Some ParricuLarRs RELATIVE TO THE Finpine or Human 
REMAINS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD oF DUNDALK. By Grorcr ALLMAN 
Armstrone, C.E. 
[Read, June 28, 1880. ] 
Tue locality of the discovery is a field close to the Dundalk station of 
the Great Northern Railway, in the townland of Cambrickville, for- 
merly belonging to Lord Roden, now purchased by the Company for 
railway purposes. ‘he field is situated in an angle dividing the 
townlands of Mounthamilton and Fairhili. It is in shape a tumulus. 
of a gravelly nature, and the graves are situated at an average depth 
of two feet from surface. 
= sandy 
EOI EIEN ISIE OITA 
ETL NBEO OF SHARP LIMESTONE 
MMM CLIPPINGS 
Whilst excavating, the hill showed unquestionable signs of having 
been artificially constructed in many places. 
The graves le at an average depth of two feet below the surface ; 
they are curiously constructed, the sides being, generally, formed of 
round stones placed in the shape of a coffin, about 18 inches high, and 
covered over with large flat stones, one of the latter being placed at 
the head and foot in each case, in order to separate each from the one 
adjacent. For four or five inches over these flat slabs is spread a 
layer of fine shaly chippings, the same being carefully wedged and 
packed round each coffin, if it may so be called. On removing the 
slabs with care, the skeleton may be seen (always heading in the 
same direction east and west), lying upon a three or four inch layer 
of fine, sharp sand, and in very few instances has the supervening 
earth made its way in. 
From several measurements made on the ground, the average 
length of the skeletons (before being disturbed) was four feet nine 
inches, and the coftin or grave five feet three inches. The two latest 
opened graves were much larger, and of the following dimensions :— 
seven feet long, two feet broad (at largest), and the skeleton six feet 
