Read more: 4,000-year-old necklace found in dumpster
An Irishman from Co. Westmeath got more than he bargained for when preparing his backyard for building a shed – he discovered human remains that are more than 4,000 years old.
Pat Tiernan was excavating soil in his backyard in Collinstown, Co. Westmeath when bad weather led to a minor landslide, according to a report in “The Irish Times.”
“I looked out the window and saw bones protruding out the back and I saw the pot, and then I kind of knew what I was looking at,” Tiernan told the “Times.”
“They looked too big for ordinary animal bones and too small for large animal bones.”
The National Museum of Ireland says that Tiernan’s surprise find is “significant.” Museum workers came to Tiernan’s home and removed the bones, and told him that the discovery is somewhere in the region of 4,000-4,500 years old.
Padraig Clancy, who works at the museum, says that the gender of the remains is still unknown. He also maintains that the remains were likely buried as part of a Bronze Age tradition of isolated burials.
He also thanked Tiernan for his attentiveness to the remains, which will now be analyzed further and eventually preserved at the museum.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.RobbCobb | Feb 27, 2011, 01:40 AM EST
On another note, maybe he was the owner of the 4,000 year old torque that was found, stolen and thrown in a dumpster, then recovered again.
RobbCobb | Feb 27, 2011, 01:38 AM EST
I love stories like this. I hope they were able to excavate the site a bit more and get some great clues as to this persons story. I look forward to hearing more on this.
Sweeneyastray | Feb 26, 2011, 03:46 PM EST
A Fir Bolg???
srdools | Feb 26, 2011, 10:13 AM EST
He looks like he's still eligible to vote in Chicago so when O'bama gets to Ireland he (obama) may or may not reserect him.
bootsjoyce4 | Feb 25, 2011, 04:30 PM EST
Irish hide n' seek champion!
ronnie4u2o | Feb 25, 2011, 04:19 PM EST
Was he a Catholic ?? if so have a mass said and Rebury it better to leave sleeping corps be. it might have died from a plague ? who knows ? have an OLD Irish wake pay the prist he 25 dollars for the Mass .go to Murphy's pub. have a few pints after and pray his soul will be saved . its the least we can do for an Irshman. God Bless Him.
Searlit | Feb 25, 2011, 03:40 PM EST
Looking forward to hearing more about this.
bootsjoyce4 | Feb 25, 2011, 03:34 PM EST
In my churches cemetery, my Dad told me they buried drunks, heathens, illegitimate children, etc in an isolated part of the graveyard at our Irish Catholic parish in Pa.'s anthracite coal region. Insanity!
RobinOCork | Feb 25, 2011, 12:08 PM EST
To Stumptown: You're right! That's a lot of souls to be rattlin around somewhere, isn't it? I think the only logical answer must be in recycling the pesky critters.
Murph46 | Feb 25, 2011, 11:35 AM EST
Can't believe they finally found me brother Liam!
STUMPTOWN | Feb 25, 2011, 11:24 AM EST
Humans go back almost seven million years ago.I get a kick of the pictures of the young couple, Adam & Eve. What happen to all the souls from theirs to 2000 B.C.? In LIMBO? Another man made crock. I just do not buy that story. Remember in holy Ireland that a little dead baby not baptized could not have a grave in RC church grounds with it's family just a few years back. Thoes were the good old days of real control of the RCC administration. And they thought that moveable type was dangerous.
cillowen | Feb 25, 2011, 10:32 AM EST
nice find - another source for tourists to visit.
cillowen | Feb 25, 2011, 10:25 AM EST
What and amazing find!