Found a strange object with a “cheesy” smell ancient discoveryThe largest of its kind in Ireland.
Often, ancient discoveries emerge from archaeological sites, but sometimes, they can even be found in your own backyard.
This is how the story of Michael Boyle progressed.
Boyle was working on his farm in County Donegal when he discovered an ancient slab of bog butter.
In ancient times, dairy or animal fat was buried in mud for preservation or kept in wooden containers as an offering to gods or spirits, According to The Irish News,
There was a small piece of wood under a slab of bog butter on Boyle's farm, Boyle told the Irish Examiner,
This probably indicates that the bog butter once rested in a wooden container that has since disintegrated.
Finds of marsh butter are quite common in Ireland and Scotland, with about 500 finds recorded in Ireland.
According to archaeologist Paula Harvey, who visited the site, the discovery was particularly unique in its large size, and it may be “one of the largest pieces of bog butter found in Ireland to date”, according to The Irish News. Is.
Bog butter pieces are usually the size of a mixing bowl.
Harvey explained, but according to The Irish Examiner, it weighed between 22 kg and 25 kg (about 48 and 55 pounds).
According to the Irish Examiner, Boyle said, “It was only by pure luck that we got to this.”
Boyle told the outlet that he saw something about a foot into the ground, and was immediately struck by the “smell of cheese.”
Immediately, Boyle said he knew what he had discovered.
“It tastes like butter, unsalted butter. According to The Irish News, Harvey said of the discovery, “I had a piece, and I'm still here to tell the story of it.”
According to the Irish Examiner, historians say the ancient bog butter may date back to the Bronze Age, but more research is being done at the National Museum of Ireland.
It is hoped that once the analysis is complete, it will be displayed at the Kilclooney Dolmen Centre.
According to The Irish News, Harvey explained, “A piece of butter would mean nothing to anyone going to a national institution,” but it would certainly mean a very bad thing to the local community in south-west Donegal.