In 1941, Evans documented a substantial mound of iron slag that contained far more than just metallic waste; embedded within were animal bones, shells, stone tools and pottery fragments. This rich assemblage of materials suggests the site served as more than just a metalworking location, likely functioning as a settlement where daily life unfolded alongside industrial processes.

The presence of shells amongst the finds points to the exploitation of coastal resources, whilst the animal bones indicate dietary practices and possibly livestock management. The stone implements and pottery sherds help archaeologists piece together a picture of technological capabilities and domestic life at the site. Iron slag, the waste product from smelting iron ore, reveals that metalworking was taking place here, marking this as an important industrial site in the region’s ancient landscape.

Just to the south at Ardnagappary (Ard Na Gceapairí), investigators have noted a dark layer visible in a sand face that may represent an extension of the Magheragallan deposits. This potential connection suggests the archaeological remains could extend across a broader area than initially thought, hinting at a more extensive settlement or industrial complex. These middens, essentially ancient rubbish heaps, serve as invaluable time capsules, preserving organic materials and artefacts that might otherwise have decomposed, providing researchers with crucial insights into how our ancestors lived, worked and sustained themselves in medieval and earlier periods.