BRONZE AGE CHIEF

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 8, 22 October 1935, Page 7

BRONZE AGE CHIEF

INQUEST ON REMAINS. Although roughly-cremated human remains found at Mullaghneish Mountain, near Londonderry, were estimated to be over 3000 years old, an inquest was held on them at Feeny. It was disclosed that this step was taken after the remains had. been in Belfast Municipal Museum, the coroner (Dr. A. G. Martin) having served a warrant an the curator for their return. The remains; which are believed to be those of an Irish chieftain of the Bronze Age, were contained in a small bowl-shaped urn. This was displayed on the coroner’s table. The urn had been buried in a stone vault-like structure in a bog. Three brothers, named Mullan, made the discovery while quarrying on the mountain. After clearing away a cairn they found they had uncovered a small vault. The coroner explained that the urn and remains had been taken to the museum, but ho deoided, in view -of the difficulty of establishing ownership, which might arise later, to hold an inquest. A clay-like substance in the vessel, he added, was probably remains of food intended to sustain the departed spirit on its journey. The cremation was crude, and accounted for fragments of bones instead of dust. Dr. Martin wondered whether it was sacrilege to interfere with Jhe remains, or if these should be replaced in the vault. The verdict of the jury was: “Unknown cremated human remains placed in a food vessel dating back to the •latter part of the early half of the Bronze Age, probably 3500 to 3700 years ago.” The remains were taken to the police barracks to- await a decision as to ownership. Mrs Mary Brolly, the owner of the land on which the discovery was made, declared afterwards that her father’s people, who had lived there for generations, were called Okane, the present form of the name of the ancient Ocahan Clan. She believed that there were other such graves on her land. A similar discovery was made many years ago. She did not like the idea of ancient graves being disturbed.