This article is from page 10 of the 2012-05-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
EVIDENCE of an ancient tsunami that may have hit the north Clare coast some 6,000 years ago could explain what became of the first people ever to live in Clare.
Archeologists working on an ancient shellfish midden on Fanore beach have discovered a mysterious black substances, which they believe could have been left behind by an ancient tsunami.
The substance, which is two or three inches deep, disintegrates when it comes in contact with air. The fact that a large slab of this material has remained intact on an ancient settlement site on Fanore beach, indicates that a large amount of it was laid down at once, possibly as the result of a tsunami.
“We have found a mysterious layer of black organic material on the site and it is under that level that we have fond all the oldest archeology. We have not been able to identify exactly what this black layer is yet but, as it happens, it is that layer which helped to protect the ancient settlement that we are currently excavating,” said Michael Lynch, the Field Monument Advisor for County Clare.
“If we can establish a date for this black material it will help us to peace together more of the mystery of this site and it could tell us a bit about what happen here that brought the use of the midden to an end.
“It is possible that this is the result of a major climatic event, a massive storm or possibly a tsunami, or some other major event of that sort which would have thrown up a large amount of debris all at the one time.”
Another mystery of the Fanore site is a series of upright, placed stones which appear to be the foundations of an ancient dwelling.
“The upright stones are from the period after the midden but they could be very early all the same. They are certainly earlier than the majority of major climatic events which have thrown up stones around the beach,” said Michael.
Excavation work will continue on Fanore beach for four weeks. The work is part funded by the Royal Irish Academy and made possible with the help of volunteers, including volunteers from the BurrenBeo Trust.