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Excavation Report of archaeological site at Mackney, Co. Galway. Bronze Age hearth, pits & post-medieval ditches.
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Archaeological Excavation ReportE2443 - Mackney, Co. Galway
Bronze Age hearth, pits & post-medieval ditches
Issue 2 [ISSN 2009-2237]
Eachtra Journal
Contact details:The Forge,Innishannon, Co. Cork.Tel.: 021 470 16 16Fax: 021 470 16 28E-mail: [email protected] Site: www.eachtra.ie
June 2009
Written by:
Client:
Archaeological Excavation Report,Mackney,Co. Galway
Bronze Age hearth, pits & post-medieval ditches
National Roads Design Office,Galway County Council
John Tierney
David FallonJohn Tierney
Licensee:
A024Ministerial Order No.:
E2443E No.:
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................1
2 Site Location, Topography and Soils ....................................................................1
3 Background to the Development .........................................................................1
4 Archaeological and Historical Background .........................................................2
4.1 Prehistoric period ...............................................................................................2
5 Results of Excavation ...........................................................................................4
5.1 Artefacts .............................................................................................................6
5.2 Charred plant remains .......................................................................................6
5.3 Charcoal ...........................................................................................................6
5.4 Industrial residues ..............................................................................................6
5.5 Radiocarbon dates ..............................................................................................6
6 Discussion ...........................................................................................................7
7 Bibliography ........................................................................................................8
8 Figures ................................................................................................................10
9 Plates ..................................................................................................................14
10 Appendices .........................................................................................................17
10.1 Appendix 1: Stratigraphic Register ....................................................................18
10.2 Appendix 2: Stratigraphic Matrix ......................................................................23
10.3 Appendix 3: Groups and sub-groups text ..........................................................24
10.4 Plant remains analysis ......................................................................................27
10.5 Charcoal analysis .............................................................................................29
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List of FiguresFigure 1: Discovery series OS map showing the route of the new N6 Galway to Ballinasloe road (Contract 4) and the location of all excavation sites .............................................................. 10
Figure 2: The route of the new N6 Galway to Ballinasloe road (Contract 4) overlaid on the 1st edition OS map..................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 3: The route of the new N6 Galway to Ballinasloe road (Contract 4) overlaid on the RMP map ............................................................................................................................. 12
Figure 4: Post-excavation plan of the site at Mackney E2443 ............................................... 13
List of PlatesPlate 1: Working shot of site with curving field drains clearly visible, from west .................. 14
Plate 2: Pre-Ex of isolated hearth C.119, from east ............................................................... 14
Plate 3: Mid-excavation of large pit C.115, north ................................................................. 15
Plate 4: Mid-Ex of C.104 showing stone lining, from west ................................................... 15
Plate 5: Mid-ex of modern field drain C.154 cutting earlier drains C.104, from north ........ 16
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i Summary
The site excavated at Mackney E2443 represented the remains of Middle to late Bronze Age occupation. The prehistoric features included pits and a hearth while later features included a gully, a field boundary and drains. There were no artefacts from the site to complement the interpretation of the archaeological features. This site is one of five sites with material dating to the Bronze Age that were found during these works. Their existence indicates the popular-ity of this area for settlement during the Bronze Age.
Townland MackneyCivil Parish ClontuskertBarony ClonmacnowenCounty GalwayMinisterial Order no. A024E no. E2443OS Map Sheet GA087National Grid Reference 183703 229503Elevation 50 m ODSite type Bronze Age hearth and post-medieval drains and
ditches
ii Acknowledgements
The excavation director was John Tierney and the senior supervisor was David Fallon. Field crew included Lesley Davidson, Joanna Pilszyk and Rafal Wolanski. Illustrations are by Ben Blakeman, Lesley Davidson, Enda O’Mahony and Robin Turk. Report compilation was by Anluan Dunne. Specialist analysis was carried out by Mary Dillon and the 14 Chrono Cen-tre at Queen’s University Belfast. The project was commissioned by Galway County Council and was funded the National Roads Authority under the National Development Plan (2000-2006). The project archaeologist was Jerry O’Sullivan and the assistant project archaeologist was Martin Jones.
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1 Introduction
This report comprises the final excavation report for a site found at Mackney, Co. Galway, during archaeological testing within the lands acquired for the new N6 Galway to Ballinasloe dual carriageway road scheme (O’Donoghue et al. 2006, Figure 1). The site comprised both prehistoric and post-medieval features, including a small isolated hearth, pits and a post-hole and a series of linear features. Charcoal from the site yielded two Middle to Late Bronze Age radiocarbon dates.
2 Site Location, Topography and Soils
The site was located in the townland of Mackney at NGR 183703 229503, c. 1km west of Ballinasloe. The site was situated in a natural hollow within a landscape of gently undulating hills. It was low-lying and the area of excavation was prone to flooding apart from the higher, stonier ground found to the south-east of the site. The local soils are classified as grey brown podzolics, with associated brown earths, gleys and basin peat. They have a moderately wide use range and are good for cereal, fruit and vegetable cultivation (Gardiner & Radford 1980). The solid bedrock is Middle to Upper Carboniferous Limestones, with Calp Limestones predominating in the area of this site. The Quaternary deposits in the region are undulating glacial drift with some post-glacial peat and alluvial deposits. Trial pitting for the Environ-mental Impact Assessment report indicated that the subsoil in the area this site at Mackney was sandy till.
3 Background to the Development
The excavation was undertaken by Eachtra Archaeological Projects for Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority and forms part of wider archaeological excavation programme undertaken by Eachtra within approximately 15 km of the proposed N6 Galway to Ballinasloe dual carriageway scheme (Contract 4, Figures 1-3).
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4 Archaeological and Historical Background
4.1 Prehistoric period
Mesolithic material has now been identified from a small number of sites in western Con-nacht and in particular material has been identified on the major river and lake systems. Lough Corrib stands out as a centre of outstanding importance for looking at both Mesolith-ic settlement and the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition (Gibbons et al. 2004). The artefactual location bias suggests that the Lough Corrib catchment area was a population centre in the later Mesolithic period. The finding of a Bann flake at Oranmore confirms that there was a human presence to the east of the Corrib in the late Mesolithic. No definite Mesolithc site has as yet been identified in east Galway but there are flint artefacts that probably date to the Mesolithic from burnt mound sites excavated by Eachtra Archaeological Projects at Barnac-ragh (E2446) and Urraghry (E2449).
The Neolithic or new stone age began around 4000 BC when the first farmers came in search of pasture for their livestock and arable land in which to grow their grain. Ireland was then heavily forested so it was necessary for these farmers to engage in forest clearance. This they did with polished stone axeheads hafted in wooden handles. A number of stone axes have been recovered from along the valley of the river Suck and around the Ballinasloe area in general (Henry 1992, 37-38), indicating activity in the area during the Neolithic.
The Neolithic period also saw new developments in ritual activity, in particular the build-ing of megalithic tombs. Only seven Neolithic tombs are recorded for the whole of north Galway (as defined by Vol 2 of the Archaeological inventory of Co. Galway), which includes the barony of Clonmacowen, and these are limited to court tombs and wedge tombs (Alcock et al. 1999, 1). There is no published inventory for south Galway. No megalithic tombs are recorded from the area around Balinasloe and Aughrim; the closest concentration is a group of four tombs identified around the limestone plains of Monivea.
The erection of large more or less unhewn stones, often in prominent locations, was a wide-spread custom in prehistoric Ireland and elsewhere in western Europe. These take the form of stone circles, stone rows, stone pairs and single or isolated standing stones. Single standing stones may have had a wide variety of uses ranging from route or boundary markers to burial memorials. Two standing stones (RMP GA098:031 and GA087:023) are located around Aughrim, one of which is reputed to be associated with a stone axehead (Alcock et al. 1999,
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17).
During the Bronze Age metal was extracted and worked for the first time. Bronze Age axes and a dagger have been found in the area round Ballinasloe and a bronze spear head (NMI 1986:19) and dirk (NMI 1986:16) were recovered from the river Suck during drainage opera-tions in the 1880s (information from the National Museum of Ireland Topographical files). Underwater investigation of the site of Correen Ford, on the river Suck, identified a Late Bronze Age sword which was found close to a portion of a pottery vessel, perhaps of the same age (Kelly 1989). Coreen Ford was probably one of the main crossing points on the Suck in prehistory and early history.
A variety of burial monuments date to the Bronze Age period, including cairns, tumuli and barrows. A cairn is a mound of stone often used to cover burials, and a tumulus is a mound of earth used for the same purpose. Barrows are burial monuments which usually consist of a circular central area, which may be flat or slightly dished (a ring ditch), or domed (a ring barrow), and which is enclosed by a ditch and occasionally by an external bank. Excavated Bronze Age burials include interments in cists, in pits lined with stone flags, and in simple pits, some of which were accompanied by pottery or other grave goods. These can be placed in tumuli, cairns or barrows, but can also be set within ‘natural’ monuments, such as sand ridges, or can appear in flat cemeteries, with no above ground marker at all (Waddell 1990, 1).
A total of 22 cairns and tumuli, 10 isolated cist and pit graves and 31 barrows are known from north Galway (Alcock et al. 1999, 4 & 12). A significant concentration of Early Bronze Age features can be recognised in the area between Athenry, Tuam and Headford; however, very few burials or cairns have been identified in the areas around Ballinasloe and Aughrim.
The most common Bronze Age monuments are burnt mounds. They are represented by small mounds of burnt stone, which were fired in order to heat water in a pit dug into a marshy area, the stones being discarded once they had cooled. The function of these monuments has been the source of much debate with various theories being expounded including cooking, washing and relaxation. Three burnt mounds have been excavated by Eachtra Archaeologi-cal Projects during the course of the present excavation programme: at Barnacragh (E2446), Cooltymurraghy (E2448) and Urraghry (E2449). A Bronze Age settlement site (E2445) was excavated in Mackney townland as well as the Bronze Age dates retrieved from this site in
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Mackney (E2443). These are important additions to the recorded prehistoric landscape in east Galway.
We know almost nothing of Irish Iron Age settlement and burial outside the major complexes of royal ritual sites and a small number of burial sites that may be Iron Age in date. Deficien-cies in our knowledge of the settlements and habitations of ordinary people are so marked that Raftery referred to the majority of the population as the ‘invisible people’ (1994, 112). The majority of the evidence for the Iron Age period consists of finds of La Tène decorated metalwork and some pieces of stone sculpture. Examples of La Tène artefacts/monuments from east Galway include the Turoe Stone located close to Loughrea and a Late La Tène metal artefact found at. Rahally hillfort. This hillfort was excavated along the route of the new N6 Galway to Ballinalsoe road (Contract 3) and the evidence indicates settlement in prehistoric and medieval times (Mullins in progress). Iron Age radiocarbon dates were ob-tained from excavations at an enclosure site at Loughbown 2, also excavated along the route of the new N6 Galway to Ballinasloe road (Contract 4). However, medieval dates were also obtained from Loughbown 2 and the exact nature of occupation at the site during the Iron Age is uncertain.
5 Results of Excavation
This site comprised a small isolated hearth, three pits, an isolated post-hole, a shallow linear gully, a field/property boundary ditch, an 18th century curvilinear stone field drain and a modern field drain (Figure 4, Plate 1). These features were found within an area of excavation that measured 484 sq m. The detailed results from this site are presented in the stratigraphic index (Appendix 1), the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2) and the groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3). The following is an interpretative summary.
Hearth
A small circular hearth pit (C.119) was situated on a well-drained area at the south-east of the site, on higher, stonier ground (Plate 2). It measured 0.6 m in length, 0.52 m wide and 0.2 m in depth. There was no evidence for habitation associated with this feature but hazel charcoal from the hearth fill (C.120) yielded a Middle Bronze Age radiocarbon date of cal BC 1433-1270 (UB-7354).
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Pits
A total of three pits (C.111, C.113 and C.115/161) were excavated at the site. All three were truncated by the gully (C.108). On average these measured 0.8 m in length, 0.49 m in width and 0.17 m in depth. Hazel charcoal, from the fill of one pit (C.115, fill C.116, see Plate 3) produced a Middle to Late Bronze Age radiocarbon date of cal BC 1047-848 (UB-7353).
Post-hole
A post-hole (C.139) was an isolated find. It contained a post-pipe (C.150) and seven fills, mostly grey silts and some fine gravels. It was U-shaped in profile and measured 0.44 m in length, 0.42 m in width and 0.23 m in depth. A pad-stone (C.170) provided support for the post that originally stood in this place.
Gully
The gully (C.108) was aligned north-west to south-east and it was 13.7 m in length, between 0.6 and 0.9 m wide and 0.12 to 0.3 m deep. It was filled by three silt deposits C.109/C.133/C.134/C.158/C.168, C.159 and C.167, all. It drained the higher, drier ground to the south-east of the excavation site and terminated at the lowest point in the immediate area. It trun-cated at this point by the modern field drains. The gully truncated three pits (C.111, C.113 and C.115/161) and it was therefore later than these Middle to Late Bronze Age features. At the south of the site this gully joined the larger ditch (C.102), interpreted as a boundary.
Property boundary
The large ditch (C.102) may have acted as a field or property boundary, possibly even associ-ated with Mackney ringfort (A024/10 E2444), located c. 150 m to the south. It measured 21.5 m in length, 0.8–1.1 m wide and 0.43 m in maximum depth and was aligned east/west across the southern part of the area of excavation.
Field drains
Two field drains were recognised at the site (C.104 and C.154). The earliest of these (C.104) was an 18th century masonry field drain, aligned north/south, with a return to the west (see Plate 4). The base was flat and contained stone sockets. In total this feature measured 25 m in length within the area of excavation (it continued outside the road take at both the north and the west) and was 0.63 m wide and 0.4 m deep. The second drain (C.154) was modern and it cut the earlier drain C.104 (Plate 5). It was U-shaped in profile with a concave base and its
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length within the area of excavation totaled 21 m.
5.1 Artefacts
No artefacts were retrieved during excavation of this site.
5.2 Charred plant remains
A total of 12 samples from this site were examined by Mary Dillon (Appendix 4). No charred seeds were found.
5.3 Charcoal
A total of 12 charcoal samples were examined from this site (Appendix 5). The identification was carried out by Mary Dillon and hazel was the most common type found. Apple type, sloe/cherry, hazel/alder, oak, ash, willow/aspen, holly, birch and alder were also found in the samples.
5.4 Industrial residues
A single piece of iron slag was recovered from the eastern end of the east/west ditch. This was retained but not subjected to further analysis.
5.5 Radiocarbon dates
Radiocarbon analysis was carried out by the 14 Chrono Centre in Queen’s University Belfast. Dates were calibrated using Calib Rev5.0.2 (©1986-2005 M.Stuiver & P.J. Reimer) and in conjunction with Stuiver & Reimer 1993 and Reimer et al. 2004.
Lab. code
Con-text
Sample Material (charcoal)
Years BP
δ 13 C 1 sigma calibrated date
2 sigma calibrated date
Period
UB-7353
Fill of pitC.116
113 Hazel, 39 frags, 3.99g
2804+/-33
-25.0cal BC998-918
cal BC 1047-893876-848
Middle to Late Bronze Age
UB-7354
Fill of hearthC.120
104 Hazel,4 frags, 0.4g
3093+/-34 BP
-26.0cal BC1416-13701349-1316
cal BC 1433-12901281-1270
Middle Bronze Age
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6 Discussion
Deposits from the hearth and pits were the earliest features excavated at the site; the radiocar-bon dates from these features indicated Middle to Late Bronze Age occupation. Although a hearth was excavated at the south of the site, there was no structure associated with this and it may be the product of a temporary camp. This may be contemporary with the settlement, possibly domestic, at the site excavated at Mackney E2445. Bronze Age settlement sites have not been widely excavated in County Galway. A search of the online excavations database for 1970-2003 (www.excavations.ie) revealed a few potentially comparable sites such as Late Bronze Age hut sites excavated at Dún Aonghasa, Inishmór and stone remains of structures possibly dating to the Early Bronze Age at Lettershea. Three midden sites with Bronze Age dates were excavated at Omey Island, False Bay, Truska and Doonloughan. There are few comparative pits and hearth sites that date to Bronze Age occupation in the county.
This site is one of five Bronze Age sites excavated within 8 km along the route of the new road. These included burnt mound sites at Urraghry, Cooltymurraghy and Barnacragh and another site traces of Bronze Age occupation at Mackney E2445. Many of the sites are within the catchment zone of the River Suck or just to the west; they indicate widespread use of this part of the landscape during the Bronze Age.
The Bronze Age features at the site were truncated by a later gully (C.108). The gully appears to lead into the field boundary (C.102) and these features are probably contemporary. While it is possible that these are the result of early land management associated with the ringfort at Mackney, they may also be features of post-medieval enclosure. They probably acted as sub-divisions of the land but were no dount also useful in attempts to drain the land, which was relatively low-lying and marshy. Poor drainage continued at the site and drains were sub-sequently dug. A masonry drain (C.104) was probably 18th century, based on typology, and it was cut by a later drain (C.105) that was probably put in the modern period.
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7 Bibliography
Alcock, O., de hOra, K. and Gosling, P. 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway, Vol. 2 North Galway. Dublin, The Stationery Office.
Gardiner, M.J. and Radford, T. 1980 Soil Associations of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. Dublin, An Foras Talúntais.
Gibbons, M., Gibbons, M. and Higgins, J. 2004 Mapping the Mesolithic in Western Connacht, IQUA Newsletter 32, 4-7.
Henry, M. 1992 Prehistoric Life in Co. Galway: A Distributional Analysis, Journal of the Galway Hist and Archaeol Society, Vol. 44 (1992), 29-46.
Kelly, E.P. 1989 Ford, in Bennett, I. (ed.) Excavations 1989. Bray, Wordwell.
Mullins, G. In progress Rahally, in Bennett, I. (ed.) Excavations 2006.
O’Donoghue, J., Tierney, J. and Doolan, A. 2006 N6 Galway to Ballinasloe test excavations report, Centreline testing 4.0, Contract 4 Cloghagalla Eighter Co. Galway to Beagh, Co. Roscommon. Unpublished report for Eachtra Archaeological Projects submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Raftery, B. 1994 Pagan Celtic Ireland: the enigma of the Irish Iron Age. London, Thames and Hudson.
Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E. 2004 IntCal04 Terrestrial Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 0–26 Cal Kyr BP, Radiocarbon 46, 1029-1058.
Stuiver, M., and Reimer, P.J. 1993 Extended (super 14) C data base and revised CALIB 3.0 (super 14) C age calibration program, Radiocarbon 35, 215-230.
Wadddell, J. 2000 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Bray, Wordwell.
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Websites
Database of Irish excavation reports www.excavations.ie
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ontr
act 4
) ove
rlai
d on
the
RM
P m
ap
05
m1
m
N
C11
9 H
earth
C10
4Fi
eld
Dra
in
C13
9P
ost H
ole
C15
4M
oder
n Fi
eld
Dra
in
C11
5/16
1P
it
C10
2P
rope
rty B
ound
ary
C10
8G
ully
C11
1P
it
C11
3P
it
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
13
Figu
re 4
: Pos
t-ex
cava
tion
pla
n of
the
site
at M
ackn
ey E
2443
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
14
9 Plates
Plate 1: Working shot of site with curving field drains clearly visible, from west
Plate 2: Pre-Ex of isolated hearth C.119, from east
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
15
Plate 3: Mid-excavation of large pit C.115, north
Plate 4: Mid-Ex of C.104 showing stone lining, from west
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
16
Plate 5: Mid-ex of modern field drain C.154 cutting earlier drains C.104, from north
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
17
10 Appendices
Appendix 1 Context Register
Appendix 2 Stratigraphic matrix
Appendix 3 Groups and sub-groups text
Appendix 4 Plant remains report
Appendix 5 Charcoal report
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
18
Con
text
No.
Grid
Fill
ofFi
lled
with
Basic
Des
crip
tion
Sam
ple
No.
100
All
--
Top-
soil,
soft
mid
bro
wn
clay
silt
30 7
0-
101
All
-Su
b-so
il, W
hitis
h ye
llow
sand
y cl
ay 4
0 60
-10
205
/00
-10
3, 1
10, 1
21, 1
22, 1
23,
124,
125
, 126
, 127
, 128
, 12
9, 1
30, 1
31
E/W
alig
ned
linea
r Fie
ld p
rope
rty
boun
dary
pos
sibly
con
tem
pora
ry w
ith a
djac
ent r
ing
fort
, 21.
5m
E/W
by
1.10
m a
t its
wid
est,
0.80
m a
t its
nar
row
est b
y 0.
43 a
t its
dee
pest
-
103
05/0
010
2, sl
ot I
-Fi
ll of
[102
],sof
t mid
whi
te g
rey
clay
silt
30 7
0, v
ery
occa
siona
l med
ium
sub-
angu
lar s
tone
--ox
i-di
zed
to a
mid
red
brow
n, 1
.20m
E/W
by
0.86
m b
y 0.
32m
, 156
= 1
03
101
104
00/0
5, 0
5/05
, 10/
05,
10/1
0, 1
0/15
-10
5=14
1, 1
17=1
42=1
69,
118=
143=
164,
132
=144
=165
, 13
5=16
6
18th
C c
urvi
linea
r dra
in m
ason
ry fi
eld
drai
n al
igne
d N
/S w
ith a
retu
rn to
the
W, f
lat b
ase
with
st
one
sock
ets-
-squ
are
with
roun
ded
corn
ers i
n pr
ofile
, 21.
00m
with
in li
mit
of e
xcav
atio
n. b
y 0.
63m
by
0.40
m10
4, sl
ot I
05/0
5-
105,
117,1
18,1
32,1
351s
t of 3
slot
s acr
oss a
n 18
th C
cur
vilin
ear d
rain
, fla
t bas
e w
ith st
one
sock
ets-
-squ
are
with
roun
ded
corn
ers i
n pr
ofile
,1.0
0m N
E/SW
by
0.60
m b
y 0.
42m
-
104,
slot
II10
/05
-14
1,14
2,14
3,14
42n
d of
3 sl
ots a
cros
s an
18th
C c
urvi
linea
r dra
in, f
lat b
ase
with
ston
e so
cket
s--s
quar
e w
ith ro
unde
d co
rner
s in
prof
ile, 1
.00m
N/S
by
0.66
m b
y 0.
42m
104,
slot
III
10/1
010
5,16
4,16
5,16
6,16
9Fi
nal o
f 3 sl
ots a
cros
s an
18th
C c
urvi
linea
r dra
in, f
lat b
ase
with
ston
e so
cket
s--s
quar
e w
ith
roun
ded
corn
ers i
n pr
ofile
, 1.3
0m N
/S b
y 0.
62 b
y 0.
3210
505
/05
104,
slot
I-
Poss
ible
tert
iary
fill
of a
n 18
th C
ston
e dr
ain
[104
], slo
t I, l
ight
gre
y br
own
sand
y cl
ayey
silt
20 3
0 50
with
mal
l rou
nded
ston
e pa
ckin
g, 0
.90m
E/W
by
0.60
m b
y 0
.06m
, 105
=141
106
VO
ID-
--
-10
7V
OID
--
--
108
10/1
0,10
/15,
15/
05,
15/0
0-
NW
-SE
alig
ned
linea
r slo
ping
gul
ly, U
-sha
ped
base
, con
cave
in p
rofil
e, 1
3.70
m N
W/S
E by
0.9
0m
at w
ides
t, 0.
60m
at n
arro
wes
t by
0.30
m a
t dee
pest
, 0.1
2m a
t sha
llow
est
108,
slot
I15
/5-
109
1st o
f 5 sl
ots a
cros
s a N
W/S
E al
igne
d lin
ear s
lopi
ng g
ulle
y, sh
allo
w U
-sha
ped
base
--co
ncav
e pr
o-fil
e, 1
.00m
N/S
by
0.55
m b
y 0.
10m
108,
slot
II15
/0,1
5/5
-13
32n
d of
5 sl
ots a
cros
s a N
W/S
E al
igne
d lin
ear s
lopi
ng g
ulle
y, sh
allo
w U
-sha
ped
base
--co
ncav
e in
pr
ofile
, 1.0
0m N
/S b
y 0.
84m
by
0.10
m10
8, sl
ot II
I15
/5, 1
0/5,
15/
10,
10/1
0-
134
3rd
of 5
slot
s acr
oss a
NW
/SE
alig
ned
linea
r slo
ping
gul
ley,
mor
e pr
onou
nced
bas
e--c
onca
ve in
pr
ofile
, 1.0
0m N
/S b
y 0.
60m
by
0.12
m a
t SE
and
0.23
m a
t NW
108,
slot
IV5/
0-
168
4th
of 5
slot
s acr
oss a
NW
/SE
alig
ned
linea
r slo
ping
gul
ley,
mor
e pr
onou
nced
bas
e--c
onca
ve in
pr
ofile
, 1.2
0m N
W/S
E by
0.6
0m b
y 0.
16m
108,
slot
V10
/10
-15
8,15
9,16
7Fi
nal o
f 5 sl
ots a
cros
s a N
W/S
E al
igne
d lin
ear s
lopi
ng g
ulle
y, m
ore
pron
ounc
ed b
ase-
-con
cave
in
prof
ile, 1
.50m
NW
/SE
by 0
.70m
by
0.30
m10
2
109
15/5
108
-Fr
iabl
e m
id g
rey
whi
te sa
nd si
lt 30
70,
with
occ
asio
nal i
nclu
sions
of m
ediu
m su
b-an
gula
r sto
nes,
0.1.
00m
N/S
by
0.84
m b
y 0.
10m
(in
slot I
)
10.1
Ap
pend
ix 1:
Stra
tigra
phic
Reg
ister
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
19
Con
text
No.
Grid
Fill
ofFi
lled
with
Basic
Des
crip
tion
Sam
ple
No.
110
05/0
010
2, sl
ot I
-Po
ssib
le p
rimar
y fil
l mid
gre
y sa
nd si
lt 40
60-
-oxi
dise
s to
a m
id w
hitis
h gr
ey, 1
.20m
E/W
by
0.86
m b
y 0.
06m
111
-11
2Sh
allo
w re
mai
ns o
f a su
b-ci
rcul
ar sh
aped
rubb
ish p
it (o
r pos
sibly
the
rem
ains
of a
‘bru
sh h
ole’
), tr
unca
ted
by [1
08],
flat b
ase
in p
rofil
e, 1
.52m
N/S
by
1.05
m b
y 0.
10m
112
111
-Fi
ll of
pos
sible
rubb
ish p
it [1
11],
soft
bla
ck c
lay
silt 3
0 70
--ch
arco
al ri
ch d
epos
it, 1
.52
m N
/S b
y 1.
05m
by
0.10
m11
3-
114
Shal
low
rem
ains
of a
rubb
ish p
it, c
onca
ve, h
eavi
ly tr
unca
ted
by [1
08],
0.62
m N
W/S
E by
0.4
0m b
y 0.
14m
114
10/1
011
3-
Fill
of ru
bbish
pit,
dar
k gr
eyish
bla
ck c
lay
silt 3
0 70
--ch
arco
al ri
ch d
epos
it, ).
62m
NW
/SE
by
0.40
m b
y 0.
14m
112
115
10/1
0-
116
Hea
vily
trun
cate
d re
mai
ns o
f a ru
bbish
pit
trun
cate
d by
[108
], [1
54],
and
[104
], c
ircul
ar b
ase
in
plan
, con
cave
in p
rofil
e, 1
.10m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
30m
by
0.32
m, 1
15 =
161
-
116
10/1
011
5-
Fill
of ru
bbish
pit,
soft
bla
ck c
lay
silt 4
0 60
, ver
y oc
casio
nal a
ngul
ar st
ones
-- c
harc
oal r
ich
depo
sit,
1.10
m N
E/SW
by
0.30
m b
y 0.
20m
, 116
= 1
6211
3
117
05/0
510
4 slo
t ISt
one
pack
ing,
fill
of 1
8th
C c
urvi
linea
r sto
ne d
rain
[104
], co
nsist
ed o
f sm
all r
ound
ed w
ell s
orte
d st
ones
, 0.9
0m E
/W b
y 0.
60m
by
0.06
m 1
17=1
42=1
69-
118
05/0
510
4 slo
t I-
Larg
e an
gula
r/sub
-ang
ular
ston
e ca
ppin
g of
18t
h C
cur
vilin
ear s
tone
dra
in [1
04],
slot I
, 0.9
0m
E/W
by
0.60
m b
y 0.
15m
118
=143
=164
-
119
20/0
0 20
/05
-12
0Fi
re/h
eart
h, U
-sha
ped
in p
rofil
e w
ith c
onca
ve b
ase,
0.6
0m E
/W b
y 0.
52m
by
0.20
m-
120
20/0
0 20
/05
119
-Fi
ll of
[119
], in
situ
bur
ning
, sof
t bla
ck c
lay
silt 4
0 60
freq
uent
hea
t affe
cted
ang
ular
sub-
angu
lar
ston
e --
a c
harc
oal r
ich
depo
sit, 0
.60m
E/W
by
0.52
m b
y 0.
20m
104
x 2
121
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
-U
pper
mos
t fill
of [
102]
, slo
t II,
soft
ligh
t yel
low
bro
wn
clay
silt
40 6
0 --
oxid
izes
to m
id w
hitis
h gr
ey I.
33m
N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
33m
121
=12
210
5
122
15/0
0 20
/00
102,
slot
III
-U
pper
mos
t fill
of [
102]
slot
III,
soft
ligh
t yel
low
bro
wn
clay
silt
40 6
0 --
oxid
izes
to m
id w
hitis
h gr
ey 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.10
m b
y 0.
11m
121
=12
210
6
123
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
-Po
ssib
le se
cond
ary
fill o
f [10
2],sl
ot II
, fria
ble
light
gre
y sa
nd si
lt 40
60
-- o
xidi
zes t
o m
id w
hitis
h gr
ey, 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
20m
123=
127
-
124
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
-Ba
sal f
ill o
f [10
2] sl
ot II
, fria
ble
light
gre
y sa
nd si
lt 40
60
-- w
ith fr
eque
nt c
oars
e gr
avel
, 1.3
3m N
/S
by 1
.00m
by
0.13
m, 1
23 =
128
-
125
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
-Se
cond
ary
fill o
f [10
2] sl
ot II
--slu
mp
of n
atur
al, f
riabl
e ba
nd o
f coa
rse
grav
el, 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.00
m
by 0
.02m
, 125
= 1
30-
126
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
-Se
cond
ary
fill o
f [10
2], s
lot I
I--s
lum
p of
nat
ural
, an
ephe
mer
al b
and
of c
oars
e gr
avel
, 1.3
3m N
/S
by 0
.43m
by
0.03
m, 1
26=1
29-
127
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
I-
Poss
ible
seco
ndar
y fil
l of [
102]
,slot
III,
fria
ble
light
gre
y sa
nd si
lt 40
60
-- o
xidi
zes t
o m
id w
hitis
h gr
ey, 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
10m
, 123
=127
-
128
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
I-
Basa
l fill
of [
102]
slot
III,
fria
ble
light
gre
y sa
nd si
lt 40
60
-- w
ith fr
eque
nt c
oars
e gr
avel
, 1.3
3m
N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
14m
, 124
=12
8-
129
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
I-
Seco
ndar
y fil
l of [
102]
, slo
t II-
-slu
mp
of n
atur
al, a
n ep
hem
eral
ban
d of
coa
rse
grav
el, 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.1
0m b
y 0.
03m
, 126
=129
-
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
20
Con
text
No.
Grid
Fill
ofFi
lled
with
Basic
Des
crip
tion
Sam
ple
No.
130
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
I-
Seco
ndar
y fil
l of [
102]
slot
III-
-slu
mp
of n
atur
al, f
riabl
e ba
nd o
f coa
rse
grav
el, 1
.33m
N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
02m
, 125
= 1
30-
131
15/0
010
2, sl
ot II
I-
Fill
of fi
eld
prop
erty
bou
ndar
y [1
02],
slot I
II, b
row
n cl
ay w
ith p
ebbl
es,1
.33m
.N/S
by
1.00
m b
y 0.
25m
-
132
05/0
510
4, sl
ot I
-M
ediu
m ro
unde
d an
d su
brou
nded
ston
es li
ning
the
basa
l edg
es o
f the
long
axi
s of 1
8th
C st
one
drai
n [1
04],
slot I
, 0.9
0m E
/W b
y 0.
60m
by
0.20
m, 1
32=1
44=1
65-
133
15/0
010
8, sl
ot II
-Fi
ll of
line
ar sl
opin
g gu
lley
[108
] slo
t II,
fria
ble
mid
gre
y w
hite
sand
silt
30 7
0, w
ith o
ccas
iona
l in
clus
ions
of m
ediu
m su
b-an
gula
r sto
nes,
1.00
m N
W/S
E by
0.7
3m b
y 0.
13m
, 133
= 1
34-
134
15/0
510
8, sl
ot II
I-
Fill
of li
near
slop
ing
gulle
y [1
08] s
lot I
II, f
riabl
e m
id g
rey
whi
te sa
nd si
lt 30
70,
with
occ
asio
nal
incl
usio
ns o
f med
ium
sub-
angu
lar s
tone
s, 1.
90m
NW
/SE
by 0
.70m
by
0.16
m, 1
33 =
134
108
135
05/0
510
4, sl
ot I
-Fi
ll/sil
ting
up o
f 18t
h C
ston
e dr
ain
[104
], slo
t I, s
oft m
id re
d br
own
clay
silt
40 6
0, 0
.90m
E/W
by
0.6
m b
y 0.
12m
, 135
=16
611
4
136
VO
ID-
--
-13
7V
OID
--
--
138
15/0
510
8-
Fill
of g
ulle
y [1
08],
(Fou
nd in
[102
]slo
t III
as [
108]
was
trun
cate
d by
[102
]), so
ft m
id re
d br
own
sand
y cl
ayey
silt,
0.6
9m N
W/S
E by
0.5
4m b
y 0.
16m
-
139
--
140
Post
hol
e, U
-sha
ped
in p
rofil
e, 0
.44m
E/W
by
0.42
m b
y 0.
23m
-14
0-
139
-Fi
ll of
pos
t hol
e [1
39],
soft
dar
k gr
ey b
lack
cla
y sil
t 30
70, 0
.44m
E/W
by
0.42
m b
y 0.
23m
109
141
-10
4, sl
ot II
-Po
ssib
le te
rtia
ry fi
ll of
an
18th
C st
one
drai
n [1
04],
slot I
I, lig
ht g
rey
brow
n sa
ndy
clay
ey si
lt 20
30
50 w
ith m
all r
ound
ed st
one
pack
ing,
0.9
0m N
/S b
y 0.
60m
by
0.0
6m, 1
05=1
41-
142
-10
4, sl
ot II
-St
one
pack
ing,
fill
of 1
8th
C c
urvi
linea
r mas
onry
dra
in [1
04],
cons
isted
of s
mal
l rou
nded
wel
l so
rted
ston
es, 1
.20m
N/S
by
0.60
m b
y 0.
10m
117
=142
=169
110
143
-10
4, sl
ot II
-La
rge
angu
lar/s
ub-a
ngul
ar st
one
capp
ing
of 1
8th
C c
urvi
linea
r sto
ne d
rain
[104
], slo
t II,
1.20
m
N/S
by
0.60
m b
y 0.
15m
118
=143
=164
-
144
-10
4, sl
ot II
-M
ediu
m ro
unde
d an
d su
brou
nded
ston
es li
ning
the
basa
l edg
es o
f the
long
axi
s of 1
8th
C st
one
drai
n [1
04],
slot I
I, 1.
20m
N/S
by
0.60
m b
y 0.
20m
, 132
=144
=165
-
145
15/0
510
8, sl
ot II
I-
Upp
erm
ost f
ill o
f lin
ear s
lopi
ng g
ulle
y[10
8], s
lot I
II, l
ight
gre
y cl
ayey
silt,
few
smal
l to
med
ium
siz
ed ro
cks 1
.90m
NS/
SE b
y 0
.62m
by
0.11
m-
146
15/0
510
8, sl
ot II
I-
Low
est f
ill o
f [10
8], s
lot I
II, l
ight
gre
y w
ith y
ello
w/o
rang
e m
ottli
ng c
laye
y sa
ndy
silt,
pebb
les,1
.90m
NW
/SE
by 0
.70m
by
0.6m
by
-
147
05/0
013
9-
Mid
gre
yish
bla
ck fi
ne g
rave
l tip
line
of a
pos
sible
pos
t-hol
e/sm
all p
it 0.
44m
E/W
by
0.42
m b
y 0.
23, 1
47 =
148
-
148
05/0
013
9-
Mid
gre
yish
bla
ck fi
ne g
rave
l tip
line
of a
pos
sible
pos
t-hol
e/sm
all p
it 0.
44m
E/W
by
0.42
m b
y 0.
23m
, 147
= 1
48-
149
05/0
013
9-
Initi
al fi
ll of
a sm
all p
it/po
st-ho
le, s
oft m
id g
rey
blac
k cl
ay si
lt 40
60,
0.4
4m E
/W b
y 0.
42m
by
0.23
m-
150
05/0
0-
151,
152
, 153
, 140
, 171
, 147
, 14
8C
ut o
f pos
t pip
e w
ithin
[139
] or l
ater
feat
ure,
V-s
hape
d w
ith fl
at sq
uare
bas
e in
pro
file,
0.4
5m N
/S
0.21
m b
y 0.
18m
-
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
21
Con
text
No.
Grid
Fill
ofFi
lled
with
Basic
Des
crip
tion
Sam
ple
No.
151
05/0
015
0-
Mid
gre
yish
bla
ck fi
ne g
rave
l tip
line
of a
smal
l pos
t-pip
e [1
50],
0.45
m N
/S b
y 0.
20m
by
0.01
m-
152
05/0
015
0-
Back
fill o
f a p
ost-p
ipe
[150
], so
ft li
ght g
rey
blac
k cl
ay si
lt 40
60,
?m N
/S b
y 0.
15m
by
0.5m
-15
305
/00
150
-Po
ssib
le b
ack
fill o
f [15
0], s
oft l
ight
gre
y bl
ack
clay
silt
40 6
0,O
.45m
N/S
by
0.20
m b
y 0.
20m
-15
410
/10
10/0
5-
155
Mod
ern
field
dra
in, U
-Sha
ped
in p
rofil
e, c
onca
ve b
ase,
dim
ensio
ns o
f unc
over
ed a
rea
10m
E/W
(b
ends
to th
e N
E at
the
wes
tern
end
) and
c. 1
1 m
NE/
SW
-
155
10/1
0 10
/05
154
-Fi
ll of
mod
ern
field
dra
in [1
55],s
mal
l-med
ium
roun
ded/
sub-
roun
ded
ston
es, 1
.20m
NE/
SW b
y 60
m b
y?11
1
156
00/0
010
2 slo
t IV
Fill
of [1
02] s
lot I
V, so
ft m
id w
hite
gre
y cl
ay si
lt 30
70,
ver
y oc
casio
nal m
ediu
m su
b-an
gula
r sto
ne-
-oxi
dize
d to
a m
id re
d br
own,
2.1
0m N
/S b
y 1.
00m
by
0.60
m ,
156
=103
116
157
--
-La
yer s
ubso
il/ac
tivity
hor
izon
(Pre
-hist
oric
)?--s
oft d
ark
red
brow
n sa
nd si
lt 40
60
occa
siona
l fle
cks
of c
harc
oal o
ccas
iona
l med
sub-
angu
lar a
nd ro
unde
d st
ones
. Mac
hine
d aw
ay a
cros
s mos
t of s
ite
exce
pt in
the
sout
h w
este
rn c
orne
r whe
re it
was
cut
by
ditc
h [1
02]
115
158
-10
8-
Fria
ble
mid
gre
y w
hite
with
ferr
ous m
ottli
ng sa
nd si
lt 30
70-
-gre
y du
e to
leec
hing
of p
it [1
15],
with
oc
casio
nal i
nclu
sions
of m
ediu
m su
b-an
gula
r sto
nes
1.85
m N
E/SW
by
0.30
m b
y 0.
28m
-
159
10/1
010
8-
Prim
ary
fill o
f lin
ear g
ully
[108
],sof
t lig
ht g
rey
with
occ
asio
nal y
ello
w m
ottli
ng c
lay
silt 4
0 60
, 1.
20m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
45m
by
0.8m
-
160
10/1
016
1-
Seco
ndar
y fil
l of [
115]
, firm
ligh
t gre
y sa
nd si
lt 30
70,
0.3
m N
E/SW
by
0.34
m b
y 0.
06m
, 160
=
163
-
161
10/1
0-
162
Hea
vily
trun
cate
d re
mai
ns o
f a ru
bbish
pit
trun
cate
d by
[108
], [1
54],
and
[104
], c
ircul
ar b
ase
in
plan
, con
cave
in p
rofil
e, O
.3m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
34m
by
0.06
m, 1
15=1
61-
162
10/1
016
1-
Fill
of ru
bbish
pit,
soft
bla
ck c
lay
silt 4
0 60
, ver
y oc
casio
nal a
ngul
ar st
ones
-- c
harc
oal r
ich
depo
sit,
0.3m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
34m
by
0.06
m, 1
16 =
162
-
163
10/1
016
1-
Seco
ndar
y fil
l of [
115]
, firm
ligh
t gre
y sa
nd si
lt 30
70,
0.2
0m N
E/SW
by
0.32
m b
y 0.
04m
, 160
=
163
-
164
10/1
010
4, sl
ot II
I-
Larg
e an
gula
r/sub
-ang
ular
ston
e ca
ppin
g of
18t
h C
cur
vilin
ear s
tone
dra
in [1
04],
slot I
II, 1
.31m
N
/S b
y 0.
70m
by
0.15
m 1
18=1
43=1
64-
165
10/1
010
4, sl
ot II
I-
Med
ium
roun
ded
and
subr
ound
ed st
ones
lini
ng th
e ba
sal e
dges
of t
he lo
ng a
xis o
f 18t
h C
ston
e dr
ain
[104
], slo
t III
, 1.3
1m N
/S b
y 0.
70m
by
0.20
m, 1
32=1
44=1
65-
166
10/1
010
4, sl
ot II
-Fi
ll/sil
ting
up o
f 18t
h C
ston
e dr
ain
[104
], slo
t II,
soft
mid
red
brow
n cl
ay si
lt 40
60,
0.1
.20m
N/S
by
0.6
m b
y 0.
19m
, 135
=16
6-
167
10/1
010
8-
Dar
k bl
ack
brow
n cl
ay si
lt 40
60
seco
ndar
y fil
l--a
slum
p of
116
, , 0
.20m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
15m
by
0.04
m
-
168
10/1
010
8-
Fria
ble
mid
gre
y w
hite
sand
silt
30 7
0, w
ith o
ccas
iona
l inc
lusio
ns o
f med
ium
sub-
angu
lar
ston
es1.
05m
NE/
SW b
y 0.
40m
by
0.30
m-
169
-10
4, sl
ot II
I-
Ston
e pa
ckin
g, fi
ll of
18t
h C
cur
vilin
ear m
ason
ry d
rain
[104
], slo
t III
, con
siste
d of
smal
l rou
nded
w
ell s
orte
d st
ones
, 1.3
1m N
/S b
y 0.
70m
by
0.07
m 1
17=1
42=1
69-
170
05/0
015
0-
Poss
ible
pos
t-pad
, med
ium
ang
ular
ston
e at
bot
tom
of p
ossib
le p
ost-h
ole,
0.1
6m E
/W b
y ?m
, by
0.10
m-
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Mackney, Co. Galway ISSUE 2: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237E2443 | A024/31
22
Con
text
No.
Grid
Fill
ofFi
lled
with
Basic
Des
crip
tion
Sam
ple
No.
171
05/0
013
9-
Fill
of [0
39],
soft
dar
k gr
ey b
lack
cla
y sil
t 30
70, 0
.90m
N/S
by
0.20
m b
y 0.
10m
…po
ssib
ly th
e sa
me
as 1
40-
[…] =
Cut
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100
109/133/134/158/168 103/156 105/141 151
159 110 142/117/169 152
167 121/122 143/118/164 153
108 123/127/128/124 144/132/165 170
135/166
112 114 116/162 150104
111 113 115/161 140
147125/130
148126/129
149131 119 155
139102 120 154
101
cut
deposit
10.2 Appendix 2: Stratigraphic Matrix
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10.3 Appendix 3: Groups and sub-groups text
10.3.1 Group 1 Natural deposits
This group describes the natural subsoil identified across the excavated area.
10.3.1.1 Natural subsoil
Subsoil C.101
Description: This was a yellow sandy clay.
Interpretation: This is natural subsoil.
Group 1 Interpretation
These were all deposits that formed naturally.
10.3.2 Group 2 Circular Cut Features
This group describes circular cut features such as an isolated hearth, a series of pits and a post-hole.
10.3.2.1 Hearth
Cut C.119, Fill C.120
Description: The hearth pit measured 0.60 m in length, 0.52 m wide and 0.2 m in depth. It contained a single fill (C.120), a charcoal rich deposit with evidence for in situ burning and frequent heat affected angular sub-angular stone.
Interpretation: There was no evidence for habitation associated with this feature and this was interpreted as an isolated hearth.
10.3.2.2 Pits
Cuts C.111, C.113, C.115/161, C.139, Fills C.112, C.114, C.116/162, C.149, C.148, C.147, C.140 Description: A total of four pits (C.111, C.113, C.115/161 and C.139) were excavated at the site. On average these measured 1.08 m in length, 0.58 m in width and 0.19 m in depth. The
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fills of the pits were generally dark silts and many were charcoal rich. Three of the pits (C.111, C.113 and C.115/161) were truncated by the gully (C.108).
Interpretation: These features have been interpreted as waste disposal pits with the charcoal rich deposits suggesting that they were used for the disposal of hearth waste.
10.3.2.3 Post-hole
Cuts C.139 and C.150 (post-pipe), Fills C.140, C.147, C.148, C.149, C.151, C.152, C.153, C.170.Description: A U-shaped post-hole with a flat square base in profile, this measured 0.44 m in length, 0.42 m in width and 0.23 m in depth. It contained a post-pipe C.150 which meas-ured 0.45 m in length, 0.21 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. The fills were generally fine clay silts. In the post-pipe there was a post-pad stone (C.170) that originally provided support for a post.
Interpretation: This was an isolated post-hole. There were no archaeological remains that suggest that it was associated with any structure.
Group 2 Interpretation
This group describes an isolated hearth that was situated on the well drained ground to the south-east of the main activity at the site, four pits that were interpreted as waste disposal pits and an isolated post-hole.
10.3.3 Group 3 Linear Features
This group describes a series of linear features that traversed the site.
10.3.3.1 Gully
Cuts C.108, Fills C.109/C.133/C.134/C.158/C.168, C.159, C.167
Description: The gully (C.108) was aligned north-west to south-east and it was 13.70 m in length, between 0.6 and 0.9 m wide and 0.12 to 0.3 m deep. It was filled by three deposits C.109/C.133/C.134/C.158/C.168, C.159 and C.167. The gully truncated three pits (C.111, C.113 and C.115/161). At the south of the site this gully joined the larger ditch (C.102). It terminated at the lowest point in the landscape. It was truncated by modern field drains.
Interpretation: This gully was a drainage feature and it drained the higher, drier ground to the south-east of the area of excavation.
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10.3.3.2 Property Boundary
Cuts C.102, Fills C.103, C.110, C.121, C.122, C.123, C.124, C.125, C.126, C.127, C.128, C.129, C.130, C.131Description: This linear feature measured 21.5 m in length, 0.8–1.1 m wide and 0.43 m maximum depth and it was aligned east to west across the southern part of the area of excavation.
Interpretation: The large ditch (C.102) may have acted as a field or property boundary, pos-sibly even associated with Mackney ringfort (A024/10 E2444).
10.3.3.3 Field drains
Cuts C.104, C.154, Fills C.105/141, C.117/142/169, C.118/143/164, C.132/144/165, C.135/166, C.155Description: A total of two field drains were recognized at the site (C.104 and C.154). The earliest of these (C.104) was aligned north to south, with a return to the west. The base was flat and contained stone sockets. In total this feature measured 25 m in length within the area of excavation (it continued outside the road take at both the north and the west) and it was 0.63 m wide and 0.40 m deep. It was filled by C.105/141, C.117/142/169, C.118/143/164, C.132/144/165 and C.135/166. The second drain (C.154) was U-Shaped in profile with a concave base and its length within the area of excavation totaled 21 m (c. 10 m running east to west and c. 11 m running north-east to south-west). It was filled by C.155.Interpretation: The earliest drain (C.104) was an eighteenth century masonry field drain. The second drain (C.154) was a modern agricultural feature.
Group 3 Interpretation
This group describes linear features that traversed the site. The area is quite low-lying and prone to water-logging. The linear features all probably fulfilled a drainage function.
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10.4 Plant remains analysis
By Mary Dillon
Introduction
The site excavated at Mackney E2443 featured the remains of Middle to Late Bronze Age oc-cupation. Twelve samples were submitted for plant remains analysis. The prehistoric features included pits and a hearth while later features included a gully, a field boundary and drains. There were no artefacts from the site to complement the interpretation of the archaeological features.
Methodology
Bulk soil samples were collected on site and were processed post-excavation using a simple flotation method. Each sample was saturated in water to allow the carbonised plant material to float. This was then poured off into a series of sieves (1 mm and 250 µm), trapping the ‘flot’ (floating material) which was air-dried and stored in air-tight plastic bags. The flots were sort-ed and scanned for plant material and charcoal using a low-powered binocular microscope (magnification x 10 to x 40). Nomenclature and taxonomic orders follows Stace (1997).
Results
None of the samples produced plant remains.
Discussion
It is interesting to compare this site to other Bronze Age sites. Haugheys Fort is a Late Bronze Age hillfort in Ulster. Here large amounts of uncontaminated charred barley was found in pits in the interior along with some hazel nut shells, and in the innermost ditch weed seeds and an intact apple were found (Mallory 1995, 29). At False Bay in Co. Galway a Bronze Age midden was excavated. Small amounts of charred barley grain were identified here (McCor-mick 1995, 13). At Ballynattin in Co. Wicklow Bronze Age structures and associated features produced emmer wheat grains, barley grains (probably naked barley), and indeterminate wheat grains, which were also probably emmer. Nine emmer wheat spikelets and knotgrass seeds were also identified (Dillon 2006a). Area 1 at Tawlaght in Co. Kerry dated to the Bronze Age. Plant remains came from a variety of features, including postholes, pits, a stakehole and
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a slot trench. They were dominated by barley grains, cereal grains that could not be identified to type and weed seeds including those from the knotgrass family (Dillon 2006b). A burnt mound site at Doughiska, Co. Galway produced one hazelnut shell fragment and one cereal grain cf. barley (Dillon 2007a). A nearby Bronze Age site, Mackney E2445, produced just one possible nut shell fragment (Dillon 2007b).
The lack of plant remains from this site may indicate a non-domestic use for the site. As il-lustrated above many Bronze Age settlement sites do produce plant remains, while at burnt mound sites plant remains are rare.
ReferencesDillon, M. 2006a. Analysis of plant remains from Ballynattin, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished
technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
Dillon, M. 2006b. Analysis of plant remains from Tawlaght, Co. Kerry. Unpublished technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
Dillon, M. 2007a. Analysis of plant remains from Doughiska, Co. Galway. Unpublished technical report produced for Valerie J. Keeley ltd.
Dillon, M. 2007b. Analysis of plant remains from Mackney E2445, Co. Galway. Unpublished technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
McCormick, F. 1995. False Bay, Co. Galway, in the Bronze Age, Archaeology Ireland, 9 (1), 12-13.
Mallory, J. 1995. Haugheys Fort – Macha’s other twin?, Archaeology Ireland, 9 (1), 28-30.
Stace, C.A. 1997 New Flora in the British Isles (2nd edition), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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10.5 Charcoal analysis
By Mary Dillon
Introduction
The site excavated at Mackney E2443 featured the remains of Middle to Late Bronze Age occupation. Twelve samples were submitted for charcoal analysis. The prehistoric features included pits and a hearth while later features included a gully, a field boundary and drains. Most of the charcoal analysed came from pits.
Methodology
Bulk soil samples were collected on site and were processed post-excavation using a simple flotation method. Each sample was saturated in water to allow the carbonised plant material to float, which was then poured off into a series of sieves (1 mm and 250 µm), trapping the ‘flot’ (floating material). This was air-dried and stored in air-tight plastic bags. The flots were sorted and scanned for plant material and charcoal using a low-powered binocular micro-scope (magnification x10 to x 40). All charcoal fragments of 2 mm or greater were identified. Each fragment was prepared for microscopic examination by fracturing it by hand and there-by exposing a clean surface along transverse, radial and tangential planes. All three planes were examined at a range of magnifications (x 5 to x 100) under a Nikon stereo microscope. For reference literature the website ‘wood anatomy’ was consulted. The number and weight of fragments were recorded for each charcoal type.
Results
In all, 163 charcoal fragments were identified from six samples (Table 1).
In Figs 1 and 2 percentage frequencies of the various charcoal types based on fragment count and dry weight, respectively, are shown. The most frequent charcoal type overall is hazel at 63% or 59% by weight. This is followed in descending frequency by pomoideae 17% / 16%, Prunus 7% / 14%, hazel/alder 3% / 4%, oak 3% / 3% ash 3%/ 1%, willow/aspen 3% / 1%, holly 1% / 1%, birch 1% / 1% and alder 1% / 0.5%.
Discussion
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Hazel was the most common wood type in the Mackney E2443 assemblage. It was widely exploited in both prehistory and historical times for its nutritious nuts and supple rods which were widely used for building. Its coppice-like growth form makes it relatively easy to cut and there are normally substantial quantities of dead wood available near ground level for fuel wood. A pollen diagram from Mongon Bog, near Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly (Parkes & Mitchell 2000) indicates that during the Bronze Age hazel was one of the most prominent trees.
Pomoideae type charcoal - Sorbus (rowan/whitebeam), Crataegus (hawthorn), Malus (crab apple - formed 17% / 16% of the assemblage. Woodlands and woodland-related environ-ments are the normal habitats for the various woody plants that may be represented in this wood type, although Sorbus includes trees with quite different ecological preferences such as rowan (S. aucuparia) and whitebeams (e.g. S. hibernica, S. aria and S. rupicola. An important habitat, especially for hawthorn (Crataegus), is the so-called Mantel or edge communities of woodlands (cf. Wilmanns & Brun-Hool 1982). The spines of hawthorn afford it a degree protection from grazing and enable it to establish and survive in the face of light grazing. Pomoideae was poorly represented in the pollen record (it is insect pollinated).
Hazel/Alder2.45%
Holly1.23%
Ash3.07%
Hazel63.19%
Oak2.45%
Willow/Aspen2.45% Birch
0.61%Alder
0.61%
Prunus7.36%
Pomoideae16.56%
Fig. 1 Percentage fragment count of wood types from Mackney E2443
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Oak2.70%
Birch0.85%Ash
1.11%
Willow/Aspen1.27% Alder
0.11%
Prunus13.64%
Pomoideae16.12%
Hazel/Alder3.96%
Holly1.22%
Hazel59.04%
Fig. 2 Percentage weight of wood types from Mackney E2443
Prunus type - P. avium (wild cherry) P. padus (bird cherry) and P. spinosa (blackthorn) - formed 7% / 14% of the assemblage. Blackthorn may have been common in Mantel vegeta-tion while wild cherry would be expected to occur in the woodlands. Bird cherry may also have been represented. Today, it is largely confined to the northern part of Ireland (Preston et al., 2002). Webb et al. (1996) regard it as introduced though this view is not universally accepted. Prunus was poorly represented in the pollen record (it is insect pollinated). All of the other wood types represented were recorded at under 3% of the total assemblage.
It is interesting to compare the charcoal from Mackney E2443 with that from other Bronze Age sites. For example, at Lough Gur, Co. Limerick, several Bronze Age structures have been excavated by R.M Cleary. Hazel, willow/aspen, ash, oak and alder charcoal were recovered from the postholes with blackthorn, birch and elm charcoal in smaller amounts (McKeown 2003, 149-151; Cleary 2003, 109-147). While the ash and oak were evidently used as struc-tural posts, it is suggested that other woods, in particular hazel, are the burnt remains of wattles. Charcoal analysis from burnt mounds excavated along the Gas Pipeline to the West demonstrates that a range of trees were gathered as firewood, particularly alder (Alnus glu-tinosa), hazel (Corylus avellana), oak (Quercus spp.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) (O’Donnell 2005). O’Donnell’s studies suggest the same wood types were used as fuel in burnt mounds across the country, which suggest that a selection process of some kind was in place. These
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trees were also common at Kiltotan Colinstown burnt mound in Co. Westmeath (Dillon 2006) and nearby burnt mound sites at Cooltymurraghy, Urraghy and Barnacragh (Dillon 2007a, 2007b, 2007c). At neighbouring Bronze Age site Mackney E2445, the assemblage was dominated by oak, followed by hazel, pomoideae, ash and Prunus (Dillon 2007d). Alder, yew and willow were also recorded. Apart from the dominance of oak, largely due to the presence of charcoal from structural wood, the assemblage is somewhat similar to Mackney E2443.
It is likely that the assemblage from Mackney E2443 reflects the remains of locally gathered wood i.e. hazel, pomoideae type such as hawthorn, rowan, whitebeam and Prunus species such as blackthorn and cherry were growing around the site. Oak, ash, willow/aspen, holly, birch and alder were probably also present in the immediate locality. The presence of wet lov-ing trees such as willow/aspen, birch and alder indicates that the site may have been situated near damp ground.
Summary
Hazel dominated the assemblage followed by pomoideae wood type and Prunus species. Oak, ash, willow/aspen, holly, birch and alder were present in small amounts. It is likely the as-semblage reflects locally gathered wood.
Table 1 Charcoal fragment count and weightFrag. CountSample Context Hazel Hol-
lyHazel/Alder
Pomoideae Prunus Oak Ash Willow/Aspen
Birch Al-der
113 116 30 1 4 15
104 120 4 2 4 3
113b 116 39 7 3 1
112 114 21 5 4 3
113c 116 9 1 3 1 1 1 1
Weight in gramsSample Context Hazel Hol-
lyHazel/Alder
Pomoideae Prunus Oak Ash Willow/Aspen
Birch Al-der
113 116 4.44 0.17 0.75 1.68
104 120 0.4 0.6 0.51 0.03
113b 116 3.99 0.86 1.28 0.12
112 114 1.58 0.51 0.39 0.14
113c 116 0.76 0.06 0.31 0.06 0.1 0.16 0.02
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ReferencesCleary, R.M. 2003. Enclosed late Bronze Age habitation site and boundary wall at
Lough Gur, Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 103C, 109-47.
Dillon, M. 2006. Analysis of charcoal from Kiltoton Colinstown, Co. Westmeath. Unpublished technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
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Dillon, M. 2007b. Analysis of charcoal from Urraghry, Co. Galway. Unpublished technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
Dillon, M. 2007c. Analysis of charcoal from Barnacragh, Co. Galway. Unpublished technical report produced for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.
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Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. & Dines, T.D. (eds.) 2002. New atlas of the British and Irish flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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