Citation: Hinch, J. de W. 1911 A high level deposit of marine shells in Curraun Achill, County Mayo. Irish Naturalist 20: 189-193
Number of Pages: 5
Keywords: Fauna, Geology, History, Mayo, Mollusca, Sediment
Abstract: This is a description of what is named by the author as a rock shelter of prehistoric times. Large quantities of shell material, found above sea level on the west coast of Ireland, were assumed to be raised beaches or the result of glacial drift. The author of this paper suggests that as the shell accumulations can be found about 100 feet above sea level, as occurs at Curraun Achill, they are too high to be raised beaches. Furthermore, the deposits contain no sand or gravel which is characteristic of raised beaches. The deposits at Curraun Achill consist of molluscan species which are edible by humans. The shells are in good condition and not sea worn, and they occur near blackened deposits characteristic of fire places in kitchen middens. For these reasons the author suggests that the high level marine shells found in Co. Mayo represent rock shelters from prehistoric times.