Recent Archceological Explorations in Co. Sligo. 45 



guson and Mr. Hardman described it as having a likeness to a 

 cathedral, with its nave, aisles, etc. — but he formed a different 

 opinion, and proceeded to show its likeness to the rude outline 

 of a giant figure cut in the ground, and the figure outlined with 

 huge standing stones from three to six feet in height. Mr. 

 Hardman in his paper says : — " I will not venture on any 

 theory as to the use of this structure, except so far as to suggest 

 that it was the place of a ceremonial observance of some kind. 

 It is clearly not a sepulchral structure, seeing that the solid rock 

 occurs within a foot or so of its surface." He then proceeds to 

 show, borrowing the idea from James Ferguson, that it resembled 

 in its plan a cathedral. What Mr. Hardman supposed to be the 

 natural rock is an artificial flagging which covers the entire 

 of the structure — of which more hereafter. 



Mr. James Ferguson refers to this structure as follows : — 

 " What, then, is this curious edifice ? It can hardly be a tomb, 

 it is so unlike any other tomb which we know of. In plan it 

 looks more like a temple — indeed it is not unlike the arrange- 

 ment of some Christian churches ; but a church or a temple 

 with walls pervious as these are, and so low that the congrega- 

 tion outside can see all that passes inside, is so anomalous an 

 arrangement that it does not seem admissable. At present it 

 is unique, if some similar example could be discovered, perhaps 

 we might guess its riddle." 



Mr. Ferguson made no attempt to solve the riddle, neither 

 did Mr. Hardman. The only mode of discovering the secret 

 was by the spade and pick. Having secured the services of two 

 men, we removed the surface soil, and everywhere we examined 

 underneath it was found covered with flat flagstones, below 

 which were loose stones to a depth of another foot. We there 

 found little cists, at a depth of about two feet or better from the 

 surface, containing bones. These cists we found in various 

 places inside the structure, and in every instance contained bones. 

 These bones were forwarded to Dr. Redfern, who kindly ex- 

 amined them, and reported that the human bones had come from 

 bodies, at least three adults and one young person. The animal 

 bones were split to expose the marrow cavities, and were probably 



