The recent discovery of human remains in Leitrim, dating back to around 5,300-5,600 years ago, has sparked a renewed interest in the area's rich history and folklore. Personally, I think this find is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our ancestors, and it raises a lot of questions about the people who once roamed these lands. What makes this discovery particularly intriguing is the fact that it predates some of Ireland's most famous prehistoric monuments, such as Newgrange and Stonehenge. This places the remains in a unique context, offering a rare opportunity to explore the early middle Neolithic period in Ireland. The story begins with a local schoolteacher, John O'Hara, and an amateur archaeologist, Peter O'Connell, who made a remarkable discovery in 1930. They unearthed the remains during an unlicensed excavation, and it was O'Hara who brought them to the National Museum of Ireland, where they lay forgotten for over 90 years. The bones, stored in the museum, were eventually brought to light again through the efforts of Professor Peter Halligan, a neuroscientist and grandson of O'Connell. He sought permission to have the remains formally assessed, and this led to a fascinating journey of discovery. Osteoarchaeologist Dr. Niamh Daly conducted a radiocarbon dating analysis, revealing that the remains belonged to an adult male and a probable adult female, dating back to the early middle Neolithic period. This places them in the same time frame as evidence from Carrowkeel and Carrowmore in Sligo, but significantly earlier than the Boyne passage tombs. The Sheebeg cairn, where the remains were found, is steeped in local folklore and associated with Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Turlough O'Carolan's composition, Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór. The discovery attracted global attention, with over 219 news reports appearing between January 1931 and January 1932. However, the story took an interesting turn when Professor Halligan delved deeper into the excavation. He discovered that the remains were human, and this sparked his curiosity about the people who lived in the area over 5,000 years ago. The professor's interest was also driven by the family connection and the unanswered questions surrounding the excavation. The Sheebeg bones, as they came to be known, were found in a megalithic tomb, and their discovery raises a deeper question about the people who lived in this area during the Neolithic period. The tomb is one of seven middle Neolithic passage tombs in the immediate vicinity, and its significance lies in providing an early radiocarbon date for a passage tomb in south Leitrim. This places it earlier than places like the Boyne Valley, Knockroe in Kilkenny, and the Mound of the Hostages in Tara. Archaeologist Sam Moore highlights the importance of this discovery, suggesting that it provides an early radiocarbon date for the Neolithic period in Ireland. The remains, he notes, are contemporary to the evidence from Carrowkeel and Carrowmore in Sligo, but significantly earlier than the Boyne passage tombs. This places the people who lived in this area in the context of the first farmers in Ireland, who imported domesticated plants and animals. The question of where these people came from remains unanswered, but genetics suggest they originated in Anatolia, modern-day Turkey. The discovery of the Sheebeg bones offers a unique opportunity to explore the lives and stories of our ancestors. It raises questions about the people who lived in this area over 5,000 years ago, and it invites us to consider the broader implications of this find. The bones, stored in the National Museum of Ireland, are a testament to the rich history of Leitrim and the importance of preserving and studying our past. In my opinion, this discovery is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our ancestors, and it invites us to explore the stories and questions that continue to surround the people who once roamed these lands. The Sheebeg bones are a reminder of the importance of preserving and studying our past, and they offer a unique opportunity to learn more about the early middle Neolithic period in Ireland.
