Unearthed secrets lie beneath our feet. Welcome to The Cronk in Upper Lherghydhoo. This unassuming field holds a remarkable past. It wasn’t always pasture. The Cronk was once a significant burial mound. Archaeologists Sheila Cregeen and Etienne Rynne uncovered its mysteries. Their excavations between 1980 and 1981 revealed a fascinating story.
The story began innocently enough. Farmer Ian Parker was ploughing his field. He noticed unusual sandstone fragments. These weren’t local. They originated from Peel. This led to the discovery of a cist. This red sandstone cist contained a Food Vessel Urn. It held cremated remains. Alongside were bone bodkins a bone pin and bone beads. Radiocarbon dating placed these remains between 1882 and 1641 BC. The Cronk was clearly an important place.
But the cist wasn’t the only burial. Further investigation revealed a secondary burial. This contained an undecorated urn more cremated remains clay beads and flint. A later excavation by Professor Rynne unearthed two more burials. One contained a Cordoned Urn. It rested on a cup-marked slate slab. Cup-marked stones are a type of rock art. They are often found with Early Bronze Age burials. The fourth burial held bronze fragments. Ploughing had disturbed this one.
The finds from The Cronk were extraordinary. The bone objects were particularly significant. They offered rare insights into Early Bronze Age life on the Isle of Man. The Cronk’s story is a testament to the island’s rich history. It is a reminder of lives lived and rituals performed centuries ago. This quiet field holds a vibrant legacy. It reminds us that history lies hidden beneath the surface. The Cronk whispers secrets of the past. It invites us to explore the layers of time.