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Donegal Archaeological Finds

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Tullydonnell Lower Hoard   

One of the most recent extraordinary archaeological finds in our county was the Tullydonnell Lower Hoard. This exceptional gold hoard, dating from the Late Bronze Age (1200 to 800BC) was discovered by chance in June 2018, when farmers took the opportunity of a dry summer to improve drainage at the base of a field at Tullydonnell Lower in East Donegal. They uncovered a small pit covered by a boulder which contained four solid gold overlapping rings. Weighing just over 4kg (8.8lbs), the Tullydonnell rings are among the heaviest intact gold hoard ever discovered in Ireland. The Tullydonnell Lower gold hoard was on display in Donegal County Museum in November 2019.  

Ballyhanna Man   

In 2003/2004, archaeological works connected with the construction of the new N15 Bundoran – Ballyshannon Bypass were carried out the entire length of the route to identify any other archaeological features and sites not visible above ground. Finds and sites ranging, from the earliest periods of human settlement in Ireland were uncovered such as wooden track ways south of Bundoran and the remains of a post-medieval house in Finner Townland.    

One of the most important and exciting discoveries was actually the rediscovery of a forgotten medieval church and graveyard on the banks of the Erne River at Ballyhanna in Ballyshannon. Almost 1,300 skeletons were excavated.  There was no written record or folk memory of the site, which was less than a mile south of Ballyshannon.  

One of those skeletons excavated became known as Ballyhanna Man - a male skeleton aged between 25-35 years. The skeleton is very rare and unusual as he suffered from a genetic condition known as multiple osteochondromas, which causes painful yet typically non-malignant tumors to grow on bone, leading to limb deformity, postural issues, or nerve damage. There are 6 archaeological examples from throughout the world. The Ballyhanna case was the first reported example from Ireland. He was on display in the museum in 2006 as part of the Lost and Found - Discovering the Past on the N15 Bundoran to Ballyshannon Bypass exhibition.   

 

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