This enigmatic feature, defined by a row of low orthostats arranged in a semi-circular shape, forms part of a larger clustered settlement that once thrived in this remote valley. The immediate vicinity contains four hut sites, with another three located about 100 metres to the west, suggesting this was once home to a small but established community.

The structure itself presents something of a puzzle to archaeologists and visitors alike. Covered in heather and weathered by centuries of Atlantic storms, its exact purpose remains unclear. The semi-circular arrangement of standing stones might have served as a well, providing essential water for the settlement’s inhabitants, or perhaps functioned as a kiln for drying grain or processing other materials. Its central position within the cluster of dwellings suggests it played an important communal role in daily life.

This settlement at Málainn Bhig represents just one piece of a much larger archaeological landscape, with the area containing a dense concentration of up to 21 identified hut sites. These remnants paint a picture of mountain communities who made their homes in these challenging upland environments, likely during the Bronze Age or Iron Age. Despite the poor drainage and rough terrain, these early inhabitants found ways to survive and even thrive, leaving behind these tantalising stone footprints that continue to intrigue those who venture into these remote corners of Donegal.