The discovery prompted immediate archaeological attention, with O Riordáin from the National Museum of Ireland arriving later that same month to conduct a proper investigation of what lay beneath.

The capstone itself was substantial, measuring 1.85 metres by 1.25 metres with a thickness of 7 centimetres. When carefully lifted, it revealed a concave pit below, roughly 0.9 metres by 0.6 metres at its widest points and half a metre deep. This wasn’t just any hole in the ground; it was a carefully constructed burial chamber containing the cremated remains of at least one adult. The bones, burnt and fragmented according to ancient funeral customs, spoke to burial practices that stretch back thousands of years in Ireland.

What makes this particular find intriguing from an archaeological perspective is its simplicity. Unlike many prehistoric burials that yield pottery, jewellery, or weapons meant to accompany the deceased, this pit contained only the cremated remains; no grave goods or artifacts were recovered. Whether this reflects the social status of the individual, local burial customs, or simply the passage of time having claimed any organic materials, we can’t say. The investigation, documented by Cahill and Sikora in 2011, adds another piece to our understanding of how prehistoric communities in Donegal treated their dead, even if it raises as many questions as it answers.