277 



about three feet above the surface, and, upon being withdrawn and ex- 

 amined, were found to have been carefully pointed. The stakes in the 

 inner row were not so numerous, nor were they altogether composed of 

 oak, some of them being of sallow or other soft wood. 



^' Within the stockades were observed two small mounds (upon which 

 the grass was much more verdant than upon any other part of the island), 

 one at the north, the other at the south. Corresponding with the de- 

 pression between these, and three feet under the soil, we found, during 

 the excavation, a flat stone, about four feet square, and three inches 

 thick, resting on a number of upright blocks of decayed oak. This, no 

 doubt, was a hearthstone. 



*'The most elevated point of the mound, towards the south of the 

 island, had a depressed or crater-like appearance. Besides the wooden 

 stakes entering into the formation of the circles, others appear to have 

 been laid horizontally, their beam -like ends showing at that part of the 

 enclosure which was disturbed by the passage of the railway. 



" On exploring the crannoge, which was done by removing the soil 

 from the circumference of the lesser circle towards the centre, a few ob- 

 jects of antiquity were discovered. The soil, which was carefully ex- 

 amined, was carried a short distance, and spread over the adjoining 

 marsh. It was composed of black and grey ashes ; small flat stones, 

 which had evidently been exposed to the action of fire ; fragments of 

 charcoal ; blue and yellow clay, charred bones, and the teeth and tusks 

 of animals, &c. 



When the- excavation had been carried to the centre, the cut surface 

 presented, from above downwards, the appearance shown in the fore- 

 going illustration, viz. : 1st, clay; 2nd, black and grey ashes, with small 

 stones and sand ; 3rd, bones and ashes, with lumps of blue and yellow 

 clay ; 4th, a quantity of grey ashes ; and, 5th, the horizontal sleepers 

 or stretchers, and hazel branches, resting on the peat bottom. 



On the same marsh, and about one hundred yards' distance from 

 the island, but nearer to Tonymore Castle, are two other stockaded forts, 

 on a raised plateau. They do not appear to have been islands, as an 

 elevated causeway leads from them to the mainland ; but otherwise they 

 resemble the crannoge in their stockaded and mound- like appearance. 

 They are marked No. 2 on the plan of the lake, forts, and railway given 

 on page 274. 



The further examination of this crannoge (which was deferred in 

 consequence of the inclemency of the weather, and the quantity of rain 

 which had fallen on the surrounding marsh), was resumed on the 2nd 

 of January, and continued for three days. The soil, which still lay su- 

 perficial to the horizontal stretchers, was gradually removed, in order to 

 fully expose the original flooring, and examine its peculiar arrangement. 

 During the removal of this stratum (which was composed of dark ashes, 

 half-burnt bones, pieces of charcoal, and occasional lumps of blue and 

 yellow clay), a few antique specimens, similar to those already found, 

 were turned up by the workmen, and have been forwarded by Lord 

 Farnham to the Eoyal Irish Academy. Amongst them may be men- 



K. I. A. PROG. VOL. VIII. 2 P 



