We were but some months into the research, collecting and collating all things historical connected with the parish of Manister. When on a Tuesday night we met as a group at the community centre as was our custom at the time to discuss the programme to be pursued for the week ahead.
We had just about commenced the meeting when one of the members asked those present to close their eyes, as he was about to unveil a surprise out of a little leather satchel that he had by his side. On such occasions previously there had been odd photographs, bits of writings, old maps etc. This is `primary` material, folks, he said, as we were instructed to open the eyelids once more.
There on the tabletop before us was the most magnificent `stone axe` that anyone present had ever seen. To be truthful, we all stared in awe and wonderment for some minutes before one of the group got back enough breath to ask – where in the name of God did you get it? While another asked – what is it? What is it! - said the holder of our treasure, what is it, but quite possibly the most significant find since the discovery of the `Tory Hill gold collar` and that’s a world-class artifact.
After everyone had handled and thoroughly scrutinized the object all were in agreement that this was a real work of art. One thing was for certain, - there was no one present whose father had one from the old days, or whose grandfather had a couple up the chimneybreast. There was one further observation by one of the group however, and it was, - ` whoever owned it didn’t do much with it? ` No sign of bloodstains, pieces of scalp or anything of that nature adhering, is how we understood his comment.
Come on, don’t keep us in suspense – where did you get it, was the general cry after the preliminaries were over. Was it found in the parish?
To keep the anonymity of the owner intact the object came by circuitous route to the member of our group and it was essential that it would return to the safe keeping of its owner in the same manner it had arrived; - it had after all been under cover for a very long time.
The stone axe didn’t just come in a little leather bag, no, accompanying it came the following story. It appears that some time in or around the mid nineteen twenties an ancestor of the present owner was ploughing a field with a pair of horses, this being close by to an ancient site in the parish of Manister, when up turned (unearth) the beautiful stone axe now before us. So mesmerized and dumfounded was the discoverer and owner of the field by the significance of the object he had uncovered, that he ceased ploughing and from that day right up to the present, the field has not been ploughed.
After further discussion we were unanimous, that if nothing else were to come of our history exploits in the parish, this find alone was a major discovery for the group. But how now were we to get over `tricky` hurdles on our way to glory. None among us was acquainted with the present law of the `State` in respect of the discovery of stone axes, not withstanding the fact that it had been found more than 70 years previously, and no matter how `civic minded;` our obligation had to be its safe return to its owner; our reputation as unhindered traversers of the local countryside depended on it. How then were we to get our information without producing the goods?
It was decided that your scribe could be trusted to take the object home with him where photographs could be taken and perhaps some discrete inquiries made before it (the axe) beat a hasty retreat by the circuitous route back from whence it came.
Although late into the night when I returned home, temptation got the better of me when I phoned a fellow Manister man and asked him if he could call round as I had something important to show him. It must be important at this hour of the night came back the terse reply. I had our stone axe resting on a white tablecloth (for better impact) when he arrived. Having been ushered in to the special space where he immediately observed our piece-de-resistance, there followed a long silence.
Where did it come from, was the first remark, having rolled the object round in his hands for quite some time, and obviously impressed by what he has seen and felt. To take the incredulous look off his face, I blurted out; `I made it. ` Ah, feck off, was the reply. This helped to remove the tension and thereafter went on to discuss all possibilities. Do you realize I said that the man who carried this object in his belt might be strutting around Manister as far back as 7,000 years ago when it is said that man first set foot on this little island of ours." I wouldn’t care to have it fall on my toe," was the follow up remark from my visitor.
No time was lost in photographing, measuring, and weighing the object and having discussed with likeminded enthusiasts of matters historical it was decided to make contact with Mr. Denis Power, of the `National Monuments Depot` Mallow Co Cork, who although limited to photographic, and written description of the object, agreed to make inquiries on our behalf.
Hereunder are the questions posed by our group?
“As can be seen from the photographs the object is without blemish, it is 5 inches in length, it is 2 inches in width and is 2 lb in weight.
For obvious reasons it is most important that as full and comprehensive description as possible on this object be conveyed to us.
(1) Can you for example give us an exact description of what this object is and for what purpose it might be used?
(2) What type of stone was it made from, is it local, or was it perhaps imported into the locality from some other part of Ireland.
(3) How was the handle attached?
(4) From its description can a period in time for its use be given and can this be reasonably accurate.
(5) Have there been many of the type found in Ireland previously, are there others in County Limerick.
(6) In your opinion, - is this a significant find in archaeological terms and if so perhaps you can state why this is so.
Any additional information on this subject that you consider relevant will of course be received with much gratitude and with your approval have it included in our parish history.
Thanking you for your help in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
While awaiting a reply to the above I took the opportunity of visiting `The National Museum` Dublin, where there is on display a range of `Stone Age` implements. And although many and varied, there was nothing like our Manister axe. The nearest in mineral composition, viewed through a glass case, and more of a hatchet than an axe, came from the north of Ireland. Yes! We really had something important on our hands no doubt.
At about two weeks on from the inquiry above I took the opportunity of phoning Mr. Power at his Mallow office in the hope of some progress being made and to be honest, there was a restless and eager anticipation of an announcement of monumental proportions on my part. What will be revealed?
Mr. Power stressed the point that `stone axes` was not his field of expertise but that he had been looking up some reference material from his base at Mallow and furth
er to that he had looked at some catalogues at U.C.C. - to date, nothing like our stone axe has turned up. I will be meeting with Professor Gabriel Cooney, Department of Archaeology, U.C.D. next week. Professor Cooney is the foremost authority on stone axes in IrelandIt was with pounding heart and a lump in my throat that I heard the phone ring out in Mr. Power’s office on the appointed day for contact regarding his Dublin excursion. On finding my man on the other end of the line; well, `what did Mr. Stoneaxe have to say for himself? ` I asked. “Having looked at the photographs he is in little doubt but the axe is not Irish and in fact he is pretty certain that it is AMERICAN!!”
There is no doubting the sincerity and absolute good faith of the person(s) who gave this artifact for consideration by our historical group and no doubt were even more taken aback by the outcome than we were.
Could Professor Cooney be mistaken, after all he didn’t see the axe? Hardly; we were to learn subsequently, that not only was our `ploughman` in America as a young man, but he was also a member of the U.S. Cavalry.
And so ended a short period of glorious expectation for our historical team; but sure, it’s still our history isn’t it?
This is Danny’s Quaint Ireland, it is Cóipcheart © Cois Má 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment