The site, extensively damaged by quarrying activities, revealed fascinating glimpses into prehistoric life when it was excavated. What remained of the mound suggested it had been a substantial structure; flat topped, standing about a metre high, and spanning at least eight metres across.

The excavations uncovered a remarkable collection of artefacts that paint a picture of daily life in ancient Ireland. Amongst the charcoal and burnt stones, archaeologists found evidence of both domestic and personal items including iron knives, intricately carved bone combs, and what appeared to be fragments of pottery. The presence of animal bones and teeth suggests the mound may have served as a midden, essentially a refuse heap where the community disposed of their food waste and broken household items.

This archaeological site at Magheracar provides valuable insights into how our ancestors lived, worked, and disposed of their everyday materials. The mixture of organic remains and crafted objects found within the mound’s layers tells us these were people who worked with both metal and bone, kept livestock, and maintained personal grooming habits not unlike our own. Though the physical mound has vanished, its contents have helped archaeologists piece together another small fragment of Ireland’s rich prehistoric past.