2,000-year-old remains found in Clare

Six human skeletons that possibly date back to pre-Christian times have been discovered by archaeologists in Co Clare.

The 2,000-year-old remains were found during works to a local water network at Barnhill, near Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Clare County Council has suspended work on the affected part of the site subject to the issuing of an excavation licence by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This is expected to be issued this week.

Archaeologist Eoghan Kieran of the Moore Group said a brief assessment of the area has been undertaken by osteologist Camilla Lofqvist to determine the nature and extent of the discoveries.

"Results of this osteoarchaeological analysis concluded that the remains appeared to represent at least six articulated skeletons with another four possible burials," he said. "Animal bone was also detected in connection to the burials but no datable finds were recovered.

"Some of the burials were laying in an East-West direction, which may indicate Christian burial. However, burials in all different directions were represented on the site, possibly indicating a pre-Christian date", Mr Kieran added.

The skeletal discovery will be used to provide evidence of the working life, living conditions, diet, traumas and diseases of past generations.