HUMAN remains dating back 4,500 years have been discovered in Blacklion, County Cavan.
The bones were unearthed near one of the many ancient burial sites located at The Cavan Burren Park by a badger and found by local historian Séamus Ó hUltacháin and a team of archaeologists.
“This is a significant development because it proves without doubt that humans were living, loving and dying here back four and a half thousand years ago. I feel flippin’ wonderful, I feel like hugging the badger,” Mr. Ó hUltacháin told The Impartial Reporter. 
While Mr. Ó hUltacháin was conducting a tour of the prehistoric park with archaeologists; Sam Moore from IT Sligo, Vicki Cummings of University of Central Lancaster and Colin Richards, University of Manchester, a fresh dig by a badger was spotted in the vicinity of a collapsed tomb along with 14 small pieces of cremated human bone and charcoal flecks in the soil.
“Our badger just threw out the bones, they were no bigger than my nail, just scraps of bone. It is the oldest discovery in this region, a wonderful discovery,” said Mr. Ó hUltacháin.

Impartial Reporter:

Human bones discovered at The Cavan Burren Park in Blacklion, County Cavan.

The Cavan Burren Park is regarded as one of the finest integrated prehistoric landscapes in Ireland and is home to a number of ancient tombs and dwelling sites such as ‘The Calf House’, ‘The Giant’s Grave’ and ‘The Druids’ Altar’.
The bones were located outside a collapsed ancient tomb in the Park, which is now covered in vegetation and moss, and had been buried about a foot deep from the level of the soil. 
Removing archaeological material is prohibited by law, but as it was under threat of disappearing the bones were rescued and the National Museum were immediately informed. Following analysis one of the larger bones, part of a femur, was then sent to Queen’s University in Belfast for carbon dating, and has now been discovered to date to circa 2438 to 2200 BC.
And as the Pyramids in Egypt are widely believed to date from between 2589 and 2504 BC, the badger’s burrowing has unearthed a valuable piece of prehistory.
“This is just the beginning, there are more discoveries to be made here,” continued Mr. Ó hUltacháin. “In years to come this area will become a magnet for research by academics and students. You have the complete picture: an integrated landscape, a completely preserved world from back then. The history is written on the landscape, a preserved historic landscape. I think the badger has probably sent out a message that there is more to learn, ” he laughed. 
The Cavan Burren Park offers stunning views of Cuilcagh Mountain, West Cavan and the greater Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark which straddles the Fermanagh/Cavan Border. 
Gráinne O’Connor of Cavan County Council, who have the responsibility of managing the site, described the discovery as “hugely exciting.”
“This has proven what we’ve always known; that people have lived and buried their dead at Cavan Burren Park for a very long time,” said Ms. O’Connor.