Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report

E3909 - Castleroan, Co. Offaly

Bronze Age houses and Iron Age pits

Eachtra Journal

July 2011


Co. Offaly

Laois County Council and National Roads Authority

Jacinta Kiely, John Tierney and Ewelina Chrobak

Castleroan

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

E No:

:

Project:

Client:

Date:

E3909

N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)

John TierneyExcavation Director

Written by:

Bronze Age houses and Iron Age pits.

CORKThe Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork

tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]

GALWAY Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway

tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]


CastleroanCo. Offaly

Excavation Director

John Tierney

Written By

Jacinta Kiely, John Tierney and Ewelina Chrobak

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

© Eachtra Archaeological Projects 2011 The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond

Printed in Ireland

i

Table of ContentsSummary�� v

Acknowledgements�� vi

1 Scopeoftheproject�� 1

2 Routelocation�� 1

3 Receivingenvironment�� 3

4 Archaeologicalandhistoricalbackground�� 4Mesolithic�(c��8000�to�4000�BC)�� 4

Neolithic�(c��4000�to�2000�BC)�� 4

Bronze�Age�(c��2000�to�600BC)�� 4

Iron�Age�(c��500�BC�to�AD�500)�� 6

Early�medieval�period�(c��AD�400�to�1100)�� 6

High�and�later�medieval�periods�(c��AD�1100�to�1650)�� 7

Post-medieval�period�(c��1650�to�the�present)�� 7

5 SitelocationandTopography�� 9

6 Excavationmethodology�� 9

7 Excavationresults�� 11

8 Discussion�� 33Late�Neolithic/Early�Bronze�Age��33

Bronze�Age��33

Iron�Age��36

9 References�� 37

Appendix1 StratigraphicIndex�� 39

Appendix2 SiteMatrix��40

Appendix3 GroupsandSubgroups��44

Appendix4 LithicsFindsReport��68

Appendix5 Potteryreport�� 71

Appendix6 PlantRemainsAnalysis�� 75

ii

List of FiguresFigure1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey

DiscoverySeriesmap�� 2

Figure2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance SurveyDiscoverySeriesmapwithalltheexcavationsitesmarked�� 5

Figure3: Portionof the IsteditionOrdnanceSurveyMapTN21showing the locationofCastleroan�� 8

Figure4: LocationandextentofCastleroanE3909ontheN7CastletowntoNenagh��10

Figure5: PostexcavationplanofCastleroan�� 12

Figure6: PlanofStructureAatCastleroan�� 13

Figure7: Section plans of pits and postholes C�170, C�151, C�168, C�280, C�191 and C�65associatedwithStructureAatCastleroan�� 14

Figure8: Post-excavationplanofStructureAandBatCastleroan��16

Figure9: PlanofStructureBatCastleroan��21

Figure10: SectionplansofpostholesC�397,C�354,C�394andC�227associatedwithStructureBatCastleroan��22

Figure11: SectionplansofexternalpitsC�8andC�280andpost-holesC�175andC�285atCastleroan��24

Figure12: Post-excavationplansofnineoftheBronzeAgehousesontheN7��35

iii

List of PlatesPlate1: AerialphotographmontageofCastleroan�� 9

Plate2: AerialviewoftheareaofexcavationatCastleroanfromsouth�� 11

Plate3: AerialviewofStructuresAandBatCastleroanfromsouth�� 15

Plate4: SlottrenchC�351inStructureAatCastleroan�� 17

Plate5: PitsC�270andC�363ininteriorofStuctureAatCastleroan��18

Plate6: PitC170intheinteriorofStructureAatCastleroan�� 19

Plate7: PostholeC�401intheinteriorofStructureAatCastleroan�� 19

Plate8: PitC�8locatedtotheeastofStructureAatCastleroan��20

Plate9: PostholeC�394whichformedpartoftheinnerringofStructureB��23

Plate10: Mid-excavationofpitC�238inStructureB��25

Plate11: Viewof11stakeholesinthevicinityofpostC�81inStructureB��25

Plate12: AreaofentranceinStructureBfromsouth-west��26

Plate13: SouthernsideofentranceinStructureBfromwest��26

Plate14: ViewofpostholeC�402��27

Plate15: PitC�29��28

Plate16: SlottrenchC�490��29

Plate17: Postholes175andC�326��30

Plate18: Beakerbarbed-and-tangedarrowheadE3909:390:1fromCastleroan��30

Plate19: RhyolitegamingpieceE3909:150:1fromCastleroan��31

List of TablesTable1 Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheinnerringofStructureA�� 15

Table2 Dimensions of the post-holes, pits and slot trench forming the outer ring ofStructureA�� 17

Table3 Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheinnerringofStructureB��23

Table4 Dimensions of the entrance slot trenches and context numbers of associatedpost-holes��27

Table5 Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheouterringofStructureB��27

Table6 Dimensionsofthepost-holesinslottrenchC�490��29

Table7 Radiocarbondates��32

iv

Castleroan-e3909

v

http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3909-castleroan-co-offaly/

SummaryExcavations at Castleroan 1 E3909 revealed a prehistoric settlement site, in the form of two Bronze Age houses and an associated group of post-holes, pits and stake-holes. Structure A was defined by two rings of posts, pits and slot trenches, the inner ring was concentric with the outer. It dated to the Middle Bronze Age. The internal diameter of the house was 7 m and it enclosed an internal area of 32 m2. The external diameter was 9.5m and it enclosed an area of 65 m2. The entrance faced east and measured 2 m. Structure B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A and was dated to the Late Bronze Age. The structure was defined by two incomplete rings of posts. The inner ring comprised six posts and two substantial slot trenches formed the entrance. The entrance was 1.5 m in width and faced north-east. The outer ring was concentric with the inner and was also in-complete. It was defined by a ring of nine posts. The diameter of the house was estimated at 7 m. The interior of the structure enclosed an area of 30 m2 and the entire structure enclosed an area of 40 m2.

A small lithic assemblage recorded at the site was dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (Beaker period) and three sherds of Beaker pottery were recorded. Two Iron Age dates were returned from a pit within Structure A and from a pit located to the north-east of Structure A.

Road project name N7 Castletown to NenaghSite name Castleroan 1E no. E3909Site director John TierneyTownland CastleroanParish DunkerrinCounty OffalyBarony ClonliskOS Map Sheet No. OF 47National Grid Reference 206324 / 182969Elevation 160 m OD

issUe 11: eaChtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 arChaeologiCal exCavation report

vi

AcknowledgementsThe project was commissioned by Laois County Council and was funded by the Na-tional Roads Authority under the National Development Plan (2000-2006). The project archaeologist was Niall Roycroft. Kildare County Council supervised the archaeological contract with RE staff of Pat Dowling and Colum Fagan. Kildare County Council Senior Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer was John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation man-ager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John Sun-derland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist analysis was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan, Farina Sternke and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.

Castleroan-e3909

1


1 Scope of the project Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction of the present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-Castletown scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is ap-proximately 191 hectares. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The Ministers Direction Number is A38.

It was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-2006. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority through Laois County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct ar-chaeological site investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to assess the nature and extent of any new potential archaeological sites uncovered.

Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in 2007 under licence E3371, E3372 and E3375-8 issued by Department of the Environment Her-itage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test sites of archaeo-logical potential identified in the EIS.

Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites identified within the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction of the road. This phase of the project was carried out from June 2007 to February 2008 and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeologist. A total of 27 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences issued by DoEHLG.

A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work aris-ing from archaeological works along the route of the new N7 Castletown to Nenagh. It included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works.

2 Route locationThe route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road is located in Counties North Tipperary and Offaly (OF) (Figure 1). The project (Contract 1) involves the construction of c. 17.5 km of the N7 from Clashnevin east of Nenagh to Castleroan south-east of Dunkerrin. It passes through the townlands of Clashnevin, Derrybane, Newtown, Lissanisky, Killeisk, Garavally, Derrycarney, Garrynafanna, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen, Falleen, Knock-ane, Clash, Park, Rosdremid (OF), Clynoe (OF), Cullenwaine, Moneygall, Greenhills,

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Drumbaun, Busherstown (OF), Drumroe (OF), Moatquarter, Loughan (OF) and Cas-tleroan (OF). The townlands are located in the parishes of Ballymackey, Cullenwaine, Castletownely, Rathnaveoge, Finglas and Dunkerrin and the baronies of Upper Ormond, Ikerrin and Clonisk,

The route begins at the eastern end of the Nenagh bypass at Clashnevin c. 5 km east of Nenagh and continues eastward on the northern side of the existing N7 in Co. Tip-perary. It crosses a number of third class roads to the north of Toomyvara and 0.7 km east of Clash crossroads crosses the Ollatrim River. It extends into County Offaly directly east of Park. From here it crosses the R490 0.6 km north of Moneygall. It extends back in County Tipperary and through the demesne of Greenhills before crossing the existing N7 at the junction of Greenhills and Drumbaun townlands. It crosses back into County Offaly and climbs east into Busherstown and Drumroe. It crosses the Keeloge Stream into Moatquarter in County Tipperary and extends northeast back into County Offaly through the townlands of Loughan and Castleroan 1.4 km southwest of Dunkerrin.

3 Receiving environmentNorth Tipperary is bounded on the west by the River Shannon and Lough Derg with the Silvermines, to the south, and small hills extending towards Devilsbit and Borrisnoe Mountains to the east. The mountains are composed largely of Silurian strata and Old Red Sandstone. Copper, silver and lead deposits have been mined in the Silvermines. The geology of the lowlands consists of Carboniferous limestone covered by glacial drift in addition to tracts of raised bog.

The western portion of the study area is drained by the Ollatrim River which flows westwards into the River Ballintotty which in turns drains into the River Nenagh. The eastern portion is drained by the Keeloge Stream and other small water sources. These rise in the foothills of the Silvermine Mountains and flow north. The Keeloge drains into the Little Brosna River c. 1 km south of Shinrone, Co Offaly. The Brosna turns north and drains into the Shannon south of Banagher.

The largest population centre in the area is Nenagh. The smaller population centres, are Toomyvara, Moneygall and Dunkerrin.

The soils on the route are characterised by 80% grey brown podzolics, 10% gleys, 5% brown earths and 5% basis peat. They are derived from glacial till of predominantly Car-boniferous limestone composition. These soils occur in Tipperary and Offaly and have a wide use range being suitable for both tillage and pasture (Gardiner and Radford 1980, 97-99). Land use along the route was a mix of grassland devoted to intensive dairying and cattle-rearing and tillage.


4

4 Archaeological and historical backgroundArchaeological sites of numerous periods were discovered along the route of the new road (Figure 2). The periods are referred to as follows: Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC), Neo-lithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600 BC), and Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500), early medieval period (c. AD 500 to 1100), medieval period (c. AD 1100 to 1650), post-medieval period (c. AD 1650 to the present).

Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c. 8000 BC - 4000 BC). The majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupa-tion has come from the river valleys. No evidence for the Mesolithic was recorded on the route.

Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more sedentary in nature. The most important Neolithic site in the vicinity was at Tullahedy recorded on the route of the Nenagh by-pass. It was a specialist chert arrow manufactur-ing site.

No evidence for a Neolithic site was recorded on the route but stone tools dating to the Neolithic were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660, Cullenwaine E3741 and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools dating to the late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Castleroan E3909, Cullenwaine E3741, Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1 E3638 and Moatquarter E3910. Neo-lithic pottery was recorded at Cullenwaine E3741 and Drumbaun E3912.

Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600BC)The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy and an increase in settlement and burial sites. Copper ores were mined and copper, bronze and gold items manufactured. The range of burial site types includes cist graves, pit and urn burials, cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and stand-ing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites are known. The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh. These monuments survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt, packed with heat-shattered stones, and generally situated close to a water source. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cook-ing places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth and subsequently placed in a trough of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot stones and wrapped food was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and charcoal that were removed, forming the basis of the familiar mound.

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Two new fulachta fiadh or burnt mounds were recorded at Clashnevin 1 E3586, Cullenwaine E3741 and six at three separate locations in Greenhills, E3638, E3637 and E3658. Evidence of nine roundhouses or partial round structures were recorded; two at Castleroan E3909, Derrybane 2 E3591 and Drumbaun 2 E3912 and one at Clash E3660, Drumroe E3773 and Moatquarter E3910.

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)Upto recently there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in Munster. Settlement sites are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman, 2000) while the material culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, believed to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monuments of the period. Ten percent of sites excavated on NRA road schemes in recent years have produced Iron Age dates. The dates have led to the identification of 30 new Iron Age sites in Munster from road schemes in counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (McLaughlin 2008, 51). These include a ditched enclosure in Ballywilliam and a wooden trackway in Annaholty Bog excavated on the route of the N7 Nenagh-Limerick (Taylor 2008, 54).

Three Iron Age dates were returned from pits in Castleroan E3909 and Drumroe E3773 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1).

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000 and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s (Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-lar society (Stout 1997).

North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH 2006, 4-8).

Early medieval activity was recorded at five sites on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1). A series of corn-drying kilns were recorded at Busherstown E3661. A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774. An area of iron-working and associated pits was recorded at Drumbaun E3912. Iron working activity, corn-drying kilns and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659. A group of pits and associated ditch were recorded at Drumroe E3773.

Castleroan-e3909

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High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tow-er houses. The Anglo-Normans obtained charters in the thirteenth century for the towns of Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Templemore and established markets. Nenagh grew rapidly in the aftermath of the granting of the lands of Munster to Theobald fitzWalter in 1185 (ibid. 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-defended homesteads in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth cen-turies in counties, such as Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, mid-Cork and Limerick, that were colonised by English settlers (O’Conor 1998, 58). The Archaeological Inventory for North Tipperary lists 39 moated sites (2002, 298).

A medieval enclosure and associated field systems were recorded at Killeisk E3587. A newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661. A series of ditches and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659.

Post-medieval period (c. 1650 to the present).The post-medieval period is characterised by mills, limekilns, workhouses, country hous-es and associated demesnes, vernacular buildings and field systems (Figure 3). A small demesne associated with a county house was recorded at Greenhills.

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5 Site location and TopographyThe site at Castleroan was located near the summit of a low hill at 160 m OD (Plate 1 and 2). The surrounding land was in pasture. An Early Bronze Age site was recorded at Loughan E4000 350 m to the south-west.

6 Excavation methodologyThe site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision. Stripping was done with a tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Topsoil stripping commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially outward until the limit of the road take was reached or until the limit of the archaeological remains was fully defined. A grid was set up in the excavation area(s) and all archaeological fea-tures were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and meaningful record of the site to be preserved. The excavation, environmental sampling, site photographs, site drawings, find care and retrieval, on-site recording and site archive was undertaken as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method statements for excavation licences.

The site was excavated from the week of the 19 January 2008 to the week of the 16 February 2008. Only areas within the LMA (lands made available) were resolved. (Figure 4).

The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register and the strati-graphic matrix (Appendix 1). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups

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Castleroan 1 (E3909)Castleroan 1 (E3909)

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and sub-groups text (Appendix 2). The context register maybe viewed in the EAPOD (Eachtra Archaeological Projects office database) in the accompanying CD.

7 Excavation results

Bronze AgeTwo structures dating to the Middle and Later Bronze Age and a group of associated pits, post-holes and slot trenches located to the north and east were excavated at Castleroan (Figure 5, plate 3). Structure B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A.

Structure AStructure A was defined by two rings of posts, pits and slot trenches, the inner ring was concentric with the outer. The internal diameter of the house was 7 m and it enclosed an internal area of 32 m2. The external diameter was 9.5m and it enclosed an area of 65 m2. The entrance faced east and measured 2 m in width (Figure 6).

The inner circuit comprised nine post-holes (Figure 7). The interval between the post-holes was fairly regular, being on average 2.2 m. A stake-hole C.322 was located beside the post C.125. The entrance was located between postholes C.359 and C.168. Post-hole C.168 was smaller than the other three features that formed the entrance.

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)O160 m O.D.


12

Figure5: PostexcavationplanofCastleroan�

Stru

ctur

e A

2063

28

2063

28

2063

40

2063

40

182997

182997

183002

183002

±

05

m

Hea

rth

Castleroan-e3909

13


Figu

re6

:Pl

ano

fStr

uctu

reA

atC

astle

roan

�

C.167

C.168

C.186

C.191

C.284

C.286

N7CNCastleroan 1NE facing section of C.151 Structure A

N7CNCastleroan 1N facing section of C.170Structure A

N7CNCastleroan 1W facing section of C.65Structure A

N7CNCastleroan 1E facing section of C.191 Structure A

N7CNCastleroan 1N facing section of C.286Structure A

N7CNCastleroan 1E facing section of C.168Structure A

C.65

C.52

C.69

C.169

C.170

C.150

C.151

0 500 mm


14

Figure7: SectionplansofpitsandpostholesC�170,C�151,C�168,C�280,C�191andC�65associatedwithStructureAatCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

15


Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)125 0.25 x 0.2 x 0.13151 0.33 x 0.33 x 0.2155 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.13165 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.15168 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.15184 0.34 x 0.34 x 0.08188 0.35 x 0.3 x 0.13335 0.16 x 0.15 x 0.15359 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.16

Table1Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheinnerringofStructureA

Six postholes (C.65, C.67, C.82, C.286, C.361 and C.439), five pits (C.4, C.126, C.146, C.180 and C.191) and one slot trench (C.351) constituted the outer circuit of the house (Figure 8). The interval between the features was very irregular. With the exception of the cut features that were located side by side, for examples pits C.180 and C.191 in the area of the entrance, the interval between each of the features was generally more than 2 m and was up to 5 m at the rear of the house. There was a greater concentration of cut features at the front half of the house and thence a greater distance between the posts at the rear. A Middle Bronze date of cal BC 1249–1016 (UB–15035) was returned from the fill of pit C.191.

Plate3: AerialviewofStructuresAandBatCastleroanfromsouth�

Structure B

Structure A

8

490

87

4

7

374

20

338

29

429

12

238

18085

189

197

191

65

363

126

55

82

100

270

402

371

138

48

193

146

470

156

326

309

32

361

170

352

81

367

448

151

401

410

50

415

201

168

351

354

63

98

188

71336

397

421394

54

319

175

164

442

285

316

155

368

444

445

286

125

414

205

328

433

165

227

132

335

431

350

439

103

417

254

377

258

450

456

211

199

288

320

251

192

220

395

111

465

425

104

110

232

392

67

386

428

41

184

209

203

279

88

359

339

412

2327

436

317

25

223

299

419

44

291

420

411

78

301

462

215

449

207

329

458

384

195

418

242

342

243

236

263

379

422

267

218

297

345

250

255

322

438

225

453

413

455

246

265

283

257

305

228

230

206330

206330

206340

206340

1829

85

1829

85

1830

00

1830

00

±

0 5 m

Hearth

Hearth


16

Figure8: Post-excavationplanofStructureAandBatCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

17


Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Feature4 0.42 x 0.3 x 0.29 Pit65 0.32 x 0.29 x 0.32 Post67 0.32 x 0.3 x 0.15 Post82 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.22 Post126 0.7 x 0.45 x 0.16 Pit146 0.54 x 0.36 x 0.09 Pit180 0.71 x 0.6 x 0.2 Pit191 0.59 x 0.54 x 0.21 Pit286 0.24 x 0.19 x 0.22 Post351 2.16 x 0.5 x 0.2 Slot trench361 0.62 x 0.56 x 0.19 Post439 0.18 x 0.13 x 0.17 Post

Table2Dimensionsofthepost-holes,pitsandslottrenchformingtheouterringofStructureA

The pits were slightly different in plan, being wider, shallower and the bases were more rounded, to the post-holes. It is quite likely that many of them, particularly the smaller ones, were the base of post-holes rather than actual storage pits. A chert flake and debitage (E3909:121:1-3) were recovered from pit C.126.A slot trench C.351 spanned the area between the entrance posts on the southern side of the entrance (Plate 4). It measured 2.16 m by 0.5 m by 0.2 m in depth. A flint barbed-and-tanged arrowhead (E3909:390:1) was recovered from the fill of the slot trench. One

Plate4: SlottrenchC�351inStructureAatCastleroan�


18

possible pit C.444 and three stake-holes C.44, C.104, and C.465 were located between the two rings of posts.

The interior

A hearth C.20, eight pits (C.85, C.170, C.189, C.197, C.270, C.319, C.363 and C.386), six post-holes (C.41, C.63, C.103, C.279, C.401 and C.415), 14 stake-holes (C.44, C.192, C.215, C.218, C.220, C.223, C.225, C.228, C.258, C.263, C.329, C.342, C.422, and C.425) and two slot trenches (C.193 and C.374) were located in the interior of Structure A.

The hearth C.20 measured 0.7 m in by 0.56 m by 0.2 m in depth. Flecks of unidentifi-able burnt bone were recorded in the fill. Two of the pits (C.270 and C.363) were similar in size to one another (Plate 5). They were located to the east of the hearth. The fills of the pits included a high concentration of small stones. Similar amounts of stones were recorded in the large pit C.189, which was square in plan. Two stake-holes C.215 and C.223 cut the base of pit C.189. The other four pits in the interior were smaller and more insubstantial in size (Plate 6).

Three of the post-holes (C.63, C.279 and C.401) were located 1.6m apart, forming three sides of a square and could have functioned as support posts for a roof (Plate 7). The slot trench C.193 could have functioned as the south-eastern corner. One of the other posts C.41 was located adjacent to the hearth.

Six of the stake-holes (C.225, C.228, C.218, C.220, C.329 and C.258) formed a screen or internal division measuring 2.6 m in length. Three more of the stake-holes (C.263, C.425 and C.342) may have formed an additional section of the screen, slightly stepped back from main alignment.

An Iron Age date of cal BC 165––cal AD 2 (UB–15037) was returned from the fill of pit C.363.

Exterior of Structure AFour pits (C.8, C.87, C.138 and C.429), a posthole and three stake-holes were located close to the entrance of Structure A. The fill of pit C.8 included charcoal and a concentra-

Plate5: PitsC�270andC�363ininteriorofStuctureAatCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

19


Plate6: PitC170intheinteriorofStructureAatCastleroan�

Plate7: PostholeC�401intheinteriorofStructureAatCastleroan�


20

tion of small stones similar to the fill of hearth C.238 associated with Structure B (Plate 8) and to some of the pits in the interior of Structure A.

A further seven pits (C.74, C.152, C.280, C.338, C.375, C.470, and C.486), two post-holes (C.339 and C.484) and two stake-holes (C.102 and C.262) were located c. 8 m to the north-east of Structure A (see Figure 11). Several of the pits were located in a line, which extended over a length of 22 m, in a north-west/south-east alignment across the site.

Structure BStructure B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A. The structure was defined by two incomplete rings of posts (Figure 9). No trace of the rear (western and south-western sec-tions) of the structure survived. The inner ring comprised six posts (C.81, C.328, C.352, C.394, C.397, and C.445) (Plate 9) and two substantial slot trenches C.491 and C.492, which supported seven and six posts respectively, formed the entrance. The entrance was 1.5 m in width and faced north-east. The outer ring was concentric with the inner and was also incomplete. It was defined by a ring of nine posts (C.55, C.156, C.227, C.254, C.336, C.354, C.392, C.414 and C.417). The diameter of the house was estimated at 7 m. The interior of the structure enclosed an area of 30 m2 and the entire structure enclosed an area of 40 m2.

Five post-holes, including C.421 in the slot trench C.492, formed the northern circuit of the inner ring of posts (Figure 10). A group of 11 stake-holes (C.242, C.243, C.246,

Plate8: PitC�8locatedtotheeastofStructureAatCastleroan�

Stru

ctur

e B

2063

28

2063

28

2063

36

2063

36

182984

182984

182990

182990

±

05

m

Hea

rth

Castleroan-e3909

21


Figu

re9

:Pl

ano

fStr

uctu

reB

atC

astle

roan

�

N7CNCastleroan 1NE facing section of C.354 Structure B

N7CNCastleroan 1SW facing section of C.394Structure B

N7CNCastleroan 1NE facing section of C.387 Structure B

N7CNCastleroan 1NW facing section of C.227Structure B

C.385

C.397

C.387

C.393

C.394

C.354

C.344

C.217

C.227

0 500 mm


22

Figure10:SectionplansofpostholesC�397,C�354,C�394andC�227associatedwithStructureBatCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

23


C.250, C.255, C.257, C.265, C.267, C.283, C.288 and C.320) were located in the vicinity of post C.81 (Plate 10). Three post-holes, including C.410 in the slot trench C.491, formed the south-eastern circuit. A pit C.238, cut by four stake-holes (C.297, C.299, C.301 and C.305) was located between post-hole C.328 and C.410. It measured 0.92 m by 0.74 m and 0.16 m in depth. The fill of the pit included charcoal and a high concentration of small stones (Plate 11). It may have functioned as a hearth. A similar fill was recorded in the pit C.8 which was located to the east of Structure A.

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)81 0.26 x 0.23 x 0.16328 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2352 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.24394 0.26 x 0.2 x 0.22397 0.35 x 0.24 x 0.32445 0.25 x 0.2 x 0.13

Table3Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheinnerringofStructureB

Flint debitage (E3909:340:1) was recovered from the fill of the post C.328. The substantial entrance comprised two parallel L-shaped slot trenches (Plate 12). The

slot trench C.491, formed the southern extent of the entrance (Plate 13). Seven postholes were recorded in the trench. The postholes measured on average 0.33 m by 0.30 m by

Plate9: PostholeC�394whichformedpartoftheinnerringofStructureB�

N7CNCastleroan 1SE facing section of C.175 External feature

N7CNCastleroan 1E facing section of C.285External feature

C.275

C.285

N7CNCastleroan 1SW facing section of C.8 External feature

N7CNCastleroan 1E facing section of C.280External feature

C.3

C.34

Natural

C.8

C.278

C.302

C.308

C.280

C.177

C.173

C.178

C.175

0 500 mm


24

Figure11:SectionplansofexternalpitsC�8andC�280andpost-holesC�175andC�285atCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

25


Plate10:Mid-excavationofpitC�238inStructureB�

Plate11: Viewof11stakeholesinthevicinityofpostC�81inStructureB�


26

Plate12:AreaofentranceinStructureBfromsouth-west�

Plate13:SouthernsideofentranceinStructureBfromwest�

Castleroan-e3909

27


0.23m in depth. The slot trench C.492, formed the northern extent of the entrance. The postholes measured on average 0.30 m by 0.24 m by 0.23 m in depth.

Slot trench Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Postholes491 1.4 x 0.43 x 0.26 & 0.64 x 0.37 x 0.24 156, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415492 1.46 x 0.4 x 0.25 & 0.74 x 0.45 x 0.2 55, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421

Table4Dimensionsoftheentranceslottrenchesandcontextnumbersofassociatedpost-holes�

Five post-holes, including C.55 and C.417 in the slot trench C.492, formed the north-ern circuit of the outer ring of posts. Two additional post-holes (C.316 and C.402) may have formed additional support or replacement posts in association with the outer ring (Plate 14). Four post-holes, including C.156 and C.414 in the slot trench C.491, formed the south-eastern circuit.

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)227 0.22 x 0.18 x 0.17254 0.15 x 0.14 x 0.26336 0.24 x 0.22 x 0.29354 0.28 x 0.28 x 0.18392 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.2

Table5Dimensionsofthepost-holesformingtheouterringofStructureB

Plate14:ViewofpostholeC�402�


28

A small pit C.7, cut by three stake-holes (C.23, C.25 and C.27), was located just out-side the area of the entrance. Three sherds of Beaker pottery were recovered from the pit.

A Late Bronze Age date of cal BC 1011–914 (UB–15073) was returned from the fill of post C.227.

The interior of Structure B

A stake-hole C.350 and two post-holes (C.368 and C.377) were located in the northern section of the interior. They may have been associated with the inner ring of posts as they were positioned on the same arc as the inner ring. No other features were recorded in the interior of Structure B.

Features to the north and east of Structure BTwo pits (C.29 and C.100), adjacent to one another, were located 5 m east of the entrance (Plate 15). Three stake-holes (C.71, C.88 and C.98) were located 3 m further to the east. Three additional stake-holes 9C.50, C.433 and C.431) were located to the south of the pits.

A substantial slot trench C. 490 cut by five post-holes (C.201, C.203, C.205, C.207 and C.209) was located less than 1 m to the south of Structure B (Plate 16). Two stake-holes (C.456 and C.458) were located on the southern edge of the slot and one C.251 to the west. The slot trench measured 2.15 m by 1.3 m and was orientated north-south.

Plate15:PitC�29�

Castleroan-e3909

29


Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)201 0.37 x 0.27 x 0.33203 0.26 x 0.20 x 0.42205 0.18 x 0.15 x 0.25207 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.05209 0.34 x 0.33 x 0.47

Table6Dimensionsofthepost-holesinslottrenchC�490

A group of six stake-holes (C.199, C.195, C.211, C.230, C.232 and C.236) were lo-cated to the north of the slot trench close to the outer wall circuit of Structure B. Two of the stake-holes C. 199 and C.211 may have formed part of the outer circuit.

A group of 19 post-holes and stake-holes (C.12, C.48, C.175, C.285, C.309, C.316, C.317, C.326, C.345, C.367, C.379, C.422, C.428, C.436, C.438, C.448, C.453 and C.455) and four pits (C.32, C.164, C.316 and C.371) were located in the area between Structures A and B (see Figure 7). Four of them (C.164, C.175, C.426 and C.32) could have formed a screen, measuring 5 m in length, associated with the outer ring of Structure A (Plate 17). Four more of the posts (C.285, C.326, C.371 and C.309) may have formed a second screen, measuring 4.2 m in length, parallel to and 2.6 m to the south-west of screen 1. Or the posts may represent the remains of at least one more structure which would have predated Structures A and B.

Plate16:SlottrenchC�490�


30

Burnt boneTiny amounts of burnt bone were noted in the fills of some of the pits and hearths. It was included in the fills of pits C.170, C.197, C.189 and C.386, hearth C.20 and slot trench C.351 in the interior of Structure A, in the pits C.338 and C.339 to the north-east of Structure A, and from the hearth C.238 and pit C.350 in the interior of Structure B. It did not survive extraction and was not able to be identified.

Plate17:Postholes175andC�326�

Plate18:Beaker barbed-and-tangedarrow-head E3909:390:1fromCastleroan�

Castleroan-e3909

31


Lithic artefactsThe lithic artefacts were examined by Farina Sternke (Appendix 4). The assemblage has to be regarded typologically and technologically as dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (Beaker period). The lithic finds from the archaeological excavation were a chert flake, a flint barbed-and-tanged arrowhead, three pieces of debitage and a possible gaming piece (Plates 18 and 19). The classic barbed-and-tanged arrowhead is missing a portion of one of its barbs and has typical impact wear which includes a broken tip and a longitudinal fracture. The presence of three pieces (one flint and two cherts) of debitage suggests that knapping or tool resharpening may have taken place at the site.

PotteryThe pottery was examined by Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan (Appendix 5). Three sherds of Beaker pottery were recovered from the pit C.7.

Plant remainsThe plant remains were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 6). Hazelnut shell frag-ments were recovered from features (C.82, C.170, C.189, C.191 and C.401) associated with Structure A and features (C.227 and C.350) associated with Structure B. This sug-gests that hearth waste was widely, albeit thinly, dispersed across the site. Small amounts

Plate19:Rhyolite gaming pieceE3909:150:1 fromCastleroan�


32

of hulled barley and indeterminate cereals were recorded in pit C.386, associated with Structure A and from pits C.8 and C.100 located to the east of the Structures.

Charcoal The charcoal was examined by Mary Dillon in advance of radiocarbon dating.

Radiocarbon datesRadiocarbon 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. Re-imer) and in conjunction with Stuiver & Reimer 1993 and Reimer et al. 2004.

Lab code

Con-text

Material Un-calibrated date

δ 13 C 2 sigma calibration Period

UB–15035

186 Hazel nut shell from pit C.191 Structure A

2918 +/- 26 -28.1 cal BC 1249–1244 1212–1016

Middle Bronze Age

UB–15036

302 Hazel nut shell from pit C.280

2134 +/- 28 -28.2 cal BC 350–304 209–86 79–55

Iron Age

UB–15037

387 Hazel nut shell from pit C.386

2056 +/-26 -27.9 cal BC 165–127 123–cal AD 2

Iron Age

UB–15073

217 Pomoideae charcoal from pit C.227 Struc-ture B

2815 +/-18 -27.5 cal BC 1011–914 Late Bronze Age

Table7Radiocarbondates

Castleroan-e3909

33


8 Discussion

Late Neolithic/Early Bronze AgeA small lithic assemblage dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age and three sherds of Beaker pottery were recovered from the area of Structure A and Structure B. The mate-rial maybe regarded as residual on a Middle–Late Bronze Age settlement site.

The presence of three pieces of debitage suggests that knapping or tool resharpening may have taken place at the site. The lithics and the debitage were recovered from a small number of post-holes associated with both Structures A and B.

A small number of lithics dating to the same period were recovered from a Bronze Age settlement site at Moatquarter, 500 m to the south-west of Castleroan.

Bronze AgeThe main phase of activity at the site dated to the Bronze Age. The remains of at least two structures were located side by side in the southern section of the site. The partial footprint of at least one other structure, earlier in date, was probably located in the area between Structures A and B. Structure A was dated to the Middle Bronze Age and Struc-ture B to the Late Bronze Age on the basis of a single radiocarbon date returned from each structure.

Structure A was defined by two concentric rings. The inner ring comprised nine posts, regularly spaced, and was complete. The posts probably supported the roof. The outer ring comprised 12 features, six posts, five pits and one slot trench. The interval between the features, particularly towards the rear of the structure, was irregular. The internal diam-eter of the structure was 7 m and it enclosed an area of 32 m2. The entrance to the house faced east. It comprised four post-holes quite unlike the substantial entrance associated with Structure B. The interior of the house was partially divided into two sections and a number of pits and a hearth were recorded within.

Structure B was located 5 m to the south of Structure A. The structure was defined by two incomplete rings of posts. No trace of the rear of the structure had survived. The inner ring comprised six posts and two substantial slot trenches formed the north-east facing entrance. The outer ring was defined by a ring of nine posts. The internal diameter of the house was estimated at 7 m and it enclosed an area of c. 46 m2. Few features were located in the interior. No trace of an internal division or central hearth was recorded in the interior. A pit on the line of the inner ring of posts may have functioned as a hearth.

Many of the features classified as small pits in Structures A and B are likely to be the basal section of post-holes.

There are two main hypotheses relating to the construction of the houses. Firstly, that an internal ring of posts supported the roof and immediately outside this a clay wall was built. No evidence for the clay wall, except for the empty space, survived. Directly outside the clay wall further roof support was offered by external support posts and associated


34

slot trenches. The relationship between the external and internal posts may indicate the location of the wall top cross beams. The second hypothesis is that a clay wall was built outside and against the inner ring of posts which formed part of a wattle screen and that this wall ran along the line of the outer ring of posts and pits.

A recent survey of Bronze Age houses in southern Ireland lists a total of 41 Bronze Age sites where 81 individual structures have been recorded (Doody 2007, 86–7). How-ever, surveys are quickly out of date at the moment, since development-led archaeology has resulted in an explosion of Bronze Age archaeology (Bruck 2009a, xvi). The excava-tion of ten Bronze Age houses on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh will further increase the number of houses. Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for eight of the ten structures on the N7 from the townlands of Clash, Castleroan, Derrybane, Drumbaun, Drumroe and Moatquarter.

Site Name E No. Structure Calibrated BC 2-sigma dates No of dates PeriodClash E3660 Structure 1 1111-920 and 895-800 2 MBA-LBACastleroan E3909 Structure A 1249-1016 1 MBACastleroan E3909 Structure B 1011-914 1 LBADerrybane E3591 Structure 1 741-406 and 833-797 2 LBADerrybane E3591 Structure 2 794-550 1 LBADerrybane E3591 Structure 3 1929-1773 1 EBADrumbaun E3912 Structure A 1436-1316 1 MBADrumbaun E3912 Structure B 1520-1442 1 MBADrumroe E3773 Structure 1 895-815 1 LBAMoatquarter E3910 Structure 1 1495-1321, 1432-1316 and 1429-1315 3 MBA

Table10RadiocarbondatesforBronzeAgestructuresontherouteoftheN7�

There is an apparent diversity in house size, internal pattern and construction materi-als. In Britain there appears to be a number of regionally distinct house styles (Doody 2007, 97) but there is no established evidence for regional variation amongst Irish ex-amples as yet. However, the discovery of axial symmetry in several houses excavated in Tipperary and North Cork has been noted (Tierney and Johnston 2009, 105). A similar phenomenon has also been identified in Britain (Guilbert 1982, 68– 9; Brück 1999).

Three of the round post-built structures, the two in Drumbaun, and one in Derry-bane excavated on the N7 were constructed along the principle of axial symmetry (Figure 12). This means that house was arranged on an axis between the entrance and a post-hole directly opposite it, two post-holes flank the entrance and the remaining post-holes have a corresponding partner at either side of the axis. The distance between the post-holes on either side of the axis is roughly the same (Tierney and Johnston ibid). Three other incomplete structures, may have originally been constructed along the same principles.

Internal hearths were recorded in four of the structures illustrated in Figure 12, in Structure A Castleroan, Structure B Drumbaun, Structure 1 Derrybane 2 and Moat-quarter and a possible hearth in Structure B Castleroan. Hearth-side furniture including stakes which formed tripods, were associated with the internal hearths in Derrybane 2 and Moatquarter.

0 10 m

Drumroe

Moatquarter

DrumbaunStructure A

DrumbaunStructure B

CastleroanStructure A Castleroan

Structure B

Derrybane 2Structure 1

Derrybane 2Structure 2

±

Hearth

Castleroan-e3909

35


Figure12:Post-excavationplansofnineoftheBronzeAgehousesontheN7�


36

The front section of the house at Clash, Drumroe and Structure B Castleroan was recorded but the no trace of the rear had survived. No evidence of definite central roof support posts were recorded in any of the structures. Internal divisions were recorded in both structures in Drumbaun, in one of the structures in Castleroan and evidence of multi screens or phases of screens were recorded at Moatquarter.

External slot trenches, which followed the curve of the inner ring of posts, were re-corded at both Structures 1 and 2 in Drumbaun and at Drumroe. These extended from one or both sides of the entrance posts for lengths of upto 6 m. They may have functioned as drip gullies for water from the roof or they may have been part of a revetment for the outer face of a clay wall which would have been positioned between the inner ring of posts and the slot trench itself. In the majority of cases the slot trench tails off and was not re-corded at the rear of the house. An exception was recorded at Moatquarter where the slot trench encircled the rear rather than the entrance to the house. No direct evidence for clay walls were recorded at any of the Bronze Age settlement sites on the N7 but clay walls do not generally leave any trace in the archaeological record. The average space between the inner and outer ring at Structure A Castleroan was 1.4 m. The average space between the inner ring of posts and the slot trenches at Drumbaun was between 0.9-1.4 m. The distance was narrower, 0.5 m at Drumroe.

The limited recovery of charred plant remains from Bronze Age house sites was quite common, along the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road scheme. Small assem-blages were recovered from Bronze Age settlement sites at Castleroan, Moatquarter and Drumroe. The small quantities of plant remains from these sites probably represent piece-meal and small-scale charring during cooking and domestic activity.

Iron AgeTwo Iron Age dates were returned from the site at Castleroan. One from a pit in the inte-rior of Structure A and one from a pit located 6 m to the north-east of Structure A. It is however impossible to determine how many of the actual features recorded at Castleroan are associated with the Iron Age phase of activity. The features, seven pits, two post-holes and two stake-holes located to the north-east of Structure A may have been associated with this phase of activity at Castleroan.

Only one other Iron Age date was recorded on the route of the N7 (Contract 1). An Iron Age date was returned from a pit at Drumroe E3773 located c. 70 m to the west of a late Bronze Age house.

Castleroan-e3909

37


9 ReferencesBruck, J. (2009a) Overview of findings, pp. xvi – xviii in McQuade, M., Molloy, B. and

Moriarty, C. In the Shadow of the Galtees. Archaeological excavations along the route of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Road Scheme. Dublin, National Roads Authority.

Doody, M. (2007) Excavations at Curraghatoor, Co. Tipperary, University College Cork.

Farrelly, J., and O’Brien, C. (2002) Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary Vol. 1 - North Tipperary, The Stationery Office Dublin.

Gardiner, M.J. and Radford,T. (1980) Soil Assocaitions of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. Dublin, An Foras Talúntais.

Guilbery, G. (1982) ‘Post-ring symmetry in roundhouses at Moel y Gaer and some other sites in prehistoric Britain’, in P J Drury (ed), Structural Recognition: approaches to the interpretation of excavated remains of buildings, 67 – 86. British Archaeological Reports 110.

McLaughlin, M. and Conran, S. (2008) ‘The emerging Iron Age of South Munster’ in Seanda, Issue 3, 51-53. Dublin.

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (2006) An Introduction to the Architectural Heritage of North Tipperary. Government of Ireland.

O’Conor, K.D. (1998) The Archaeology of Medieval Rural Settlement in Ireland, Discovery Programme Monographs No 3, Discovery Programme/Royal Irish Academy Dublin.

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.

Stout, M. (1997) The Irish Ringfort. Dublin, Four Courts Press.


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Taylor, K. (2008) ‘At home and on the road: two Iron Age sites in County Tipperary’ in Seanda, Issue 3, 54-55. Dublin.

Woodman, P.C. (2000) ‘Hammers and Shoeboxes: New Agendas for Prehistory’., pp. 1 -10 in Desmond, A., Johnson, G., McCarthy, M., Sheehan, J. and Shee Twohig, E. New Agendas in Irish Prehistory. Papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. Bray, Wordwell.

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Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index

Please see attached CD.


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Appendix 3 Groups and SubgroupsGroup No.

Description Subgroup No. Description Context No.

1 Natural Deposits

TopsoilSubsoil

C.1C.2

2 Structure A 2a Outer line of the structure

6 postholes, 5 pits, 1 slot trench

C.65, C.67, C.82, C.286, C.361, C.439, C.4, C.126, C.180, C.191, C.146 and C.351

2b Inner circuit of structure

1 stakehole, 8 postholes C.223, C.165, C.184, C.188, C.155, C.125, C.335, C.151 and C.168

2c Internal features 2 slot trenches, 9 pits, 6 postholes, 15 stakeholes

C.193, C.374, C.444, C.85, C.197, C.270, C.319, C.363, C.386, C.170, C.189, C.41, C.63, C.103, C.279, C.401, C.415, C.44, C.104, C.465, C.422, C.342, C.258, C.322, C.329, C.220, C.218, C.263, C.228, C.225, C.192 and C.425

2d Hearth 1 hearth C.202e External features to the east

4 pits, 1 postholes, 3 stakeholes

C.8, C.87, C.138, C.429, C.132, C.54, C.449 and C.450

3 Structure B 3a Inner circuit of the structure

2 slot trenches, 6 post-holes, 2 pits, 4 stakeholes

C.491 and C.492, C. 81, C.397, C.352, C.394, C.328, C.445, C.238, C.301, C.299, C.328 and C.445

3b Outer circuit of the structure

5 postholes C.392, C.336, C.354, C.227 and C.254

3c Internal features 1 stakehole, 2 postholes C.350, C.368 and C.3773d Stakeholes 12 stakeholes C.242, C.243, C.246, C.250, C.255,

C.257, C.265, C.267, C.283 C.288, C.320 and C.291

3e External features 2 pits, 14 stakeholes, 1 slot trench, 5 postholes

C.7, C. 405, C.23, C.25, C.27, C.195, C.199, C.211, C.230, C.232, C.236, C.251, C.456, C.458, C.462, C.408 C.490, C.201, C.203, C.205 and C.207

4 Features to the east of structure B

3 postholes, 3 stakeholes, 3 pits

C.50, C.431, C.433, C.71, C.88, C.98, C.29, C.100 and C.468

5 Features between structures

5 postholes, 4 pits, 6 pit/ poss. postholes, 6 stakeholes

C.175, C.436, C.285, C.309, C.316, C.164, C.32, C.371, C.12, C.48, C.428, C.448, C.326, C.367, C.402, C.317, C.422, C.453, C.438, C.455 and C.345

6 Features in the northeast part of the site

7 pits, 2 postholes, 2 stakeholes

C.74, C.152, C.280, C.338, C.375, C.470, C.486, C. 339, C.484, C.102 and C.262

7 Furrow and ditches

2 ditches,1 furrow C.293, C.472 and C.13

Group 1 Natural DepositsThis group describes the natural geological deposits identified across the area of excavation.

Topsoil C.1

The topsoil was covering the archaeological features on the site. It was dark greyish brown silty sand with occasional pebbles and small and medium stones. The maximum depth of topsoil was 0.5 m.

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Subsoil C.2

The subsoil was light brownish yellow compact clayey sand with moderate pebbles, small, medium and big stones inclusions. This is the natural subsoil which occurs under the features and is found across whole site.

Group 2 Structure AStructure A was a sub-circular house that was located in the northwest part of the site. It was defined by two rings of posts. The inner ring comprised eight postholes (C.184, C.188, C.155, C.125, C.335, C.151, C.168 and C.165) and stakehole C.223. The outer ring consisted five pits (C.4, C.180, C.191, C.146, C.67) and six postholes (C.65, C.67, C.82, C.286, C.361 and C.439). The postholes C.359 and C.361 were situated within slot trench C.351. The inner ring measured 6 m in diameter. The outer ring measured 10 m in diameter. The structure had 2.4m width east facing entrance. The entrance was defined by posthole C.359 and C.168 in inner ring and pit C.191 and posthole C.361 in outer ring. The interior was characterised by a hearth (C.20), eight pits (C.85, C.197, C.270, C.319, C.363, C.386, C.170 and C.189), six postholes (C.41, C.63, C.103, C.279, C.401 and C.415), eleven stakeholes (C.422, C.342, C.258, C.329, C.220, C.218, C.263, C.228, C.225, C. 192 and C.425) and a slot trench (C.374).

Subgroup 2a Outer line of the structureThe outer line of structure was composed of six postholes (C.65, C.67, C.82, C.361, C.439 and C.286) and five pits (C.4, C.126, C.146, C.180 and C.191).

Con-text

Dimension/ length x width (m)

Depth (m)

Shape in plan

Sides Base Filled with

Fill description Type

4 0.42x0.3 0.29 Irregular Moderate & stepped at NW, moderate & irregular at SE, moder-ate & concave at NE, vertical & stepped at SW

Concave 5 Soft, dark black clay with moderate small stones and charcoal flecks

Pit

17 Firm, mid greyish red clay with occasional small stones

65 0.32x0.29 0.32 Irregular Moderate & concave at NE, steep & smooth at SE, moderate & convex at SW, steep & concave at NW

Tapered rounded pointed

52 Firm, dark brown clay with occasional small and big stones

Post-hole

69 Firm, mid greyish red clay with occasional peb-bles and small stones

126 0.7x0.45 0.16 Sub-oval Steep & smooth Flat 121 Soft mid yellowish brown sandy silt with moderate pebbles, small and medium stones and charcoal flecks

Pit

180 0.71x0.6 0.2 Oval Gentle & concave at S, vertical & concave elsewhere

Concave 174 Firm dark black clay with occasional small stones

Pit

179 Firm light brown clay with occasional pebbles


46

191 0.59x0.54 0.21 Oval Moderate & smooth at NE, moderate & concave elsewhere

Concave 186 Dark brown firm clay with occasional small stones and moderate flecks of charcoal

Pit

361 0.62x0.56 0.19 Oval Moderate & concave at S, vertical & concave elsewhere

Concave 362 Mid orange brown soft clayey silt with occasional small and medium stones and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

146 0.54x0.36 0.09 Oval Vertical & smooth at N and S, steep & smooth at E and W

Flat 153 Soft dark brownish grey sandy silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones, medium char-coal pieces and large burnt stones

Pit

82 0.4x0.4 0.22 Circular Steep & undercut at N, steep & smooth at S, Vertical & smooth at E and W

Flat 83 Soft greyish brown sandy silt with oc-casional pebbles, me-dium and large stones, flecks and medium pieces of charcoal

Post-hole

67 0.32x0.3 0.15 Sub-circular

Steep & undercut at S, Steep & smooth elsewhere

Concave 68 Soft, mid greyish black sandy silt with occasional pebbles, small stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Post-hole

439 0.18x0.13 0.17 Circular Vertical & smooth Tapered pointed

440 Grey brown loose silty sand

Post-hole

286 0.24x0.19 0.22 Oval Vertical & smooth Flat 284 Mid brown grey very soft silty clay with occasional pebbles, flecks of charcoal and flecks of burnt bone

Post-hole

TableoffeaturesformingouterlineofStructureA

Within the fill of pit C.126 had been found two pieces of debitage chert and one chert flake.

Slot trench C.351 filled with C.390 and C.391.

The slot trench was curvilinear in plan. It measured 2.16m in length by 0.5m in width and 0.2m in depth. The break of slope at the top and at the base was sharp. The sides were vertical and concave at north and south, steep and concave at east and west. The base was linear in plan and flat in profile. The fill C.391 was mid yellow brown firm clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small stones, flecks of charcoal and flecks of burnt bone. The slot trench was truncated by two postholes C.359 and C.361. The posthole C.361 was in turn truncated by stakehole C.384.

Stakehole C.384 filled with C.383

The stakehole was circular in plan with rounded corners. It measured 0.13m in length by 0.11m in width and 0.16m in depth. The break of slope at the top was sharp. The sides were vertical and smooth. The break of slope at the base was gradual. The base was circu-lar in plan and a tapered blunt point in profile. The fill was mid brown orange soft clay. The stakehole cut posthole C.361.

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Subgroup 2b Inner line of the structureThe inner ring of structure A comprised a ring of eight postholes (C.359, C.165, C.184, C.188, C.155, C.125, C.335, C.151, C.168 and C.165). Context Dimension/

length x width (m)

Depth (m)

Plan Sides Base Filled with


359 0.6x0.5 0.16 Oval Verti-cal & concave

Oval 360 Soft mid orange brown clayey silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

165 0.20x0.20 0.15 Circular Vertical & smooth

Tapered rounded point

166 Soft mid brownish black sandy silt with pebbles, flecks and small charcoal pieces and oc-casional small burnt stones

Post-hole

184 0.34x0.34 0.08 Sub-circular

Moder-ate& smooth

Flat 183 Soft mid yellow grey brown sandy silt with occasional peb-bles, flacks and small pieces of charcoal

Post-hole

188 0.35x0.30 0.13 Oval Steep & smooth

Concave 185 Soft dark brown black clayey peat with occasional small stones and frequent flecks and occasional small pieces of charcoal

Post-hole

155 0.30x0.03 0.13 Sub-circular

Steep & smooth

Concave 143 Spongy mid brownish black clayey peat with occasional small stones, flecks and small and medium charcoal pieces

Post-hole

125 0.25x0.2 0.13 Circular Steep & smooth

Concave 119 Spongy mid brownish black clayey peat with occasional small stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Post-hole


Flat 327 Soft dark grey black silty clay with occasional pebbles and frequent flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

334 Soft mid grey brown silt with occasional pebbles and moderate flecks of charcoal

151 0.33x0.33 0.2 Circular Steep & concave

Concave 150 Firm dark brown clay with occasional pebbles

Post-hole

168 0.20x0.20 0.15 Sub-circular

Steep & concave

Concave 167 Firm dark brown clay with small and medium stones

Post-hole

TableoffeaturesforminginnerringofstructureA

Inside the posthole C.151 had been found gaming stone.

Subgroup 2c Internal featuresThe interior of the structure was characterised by a hearth C.20 (subgroup 2d), nine pits (C.444, C.85, C.197, C.270, C.319, C.363, C.386, C.170 and C.189), six postholes (C.41, C.63, C.103, C.279, C.401 and C.415), fifteen stakeholes (C.44, C.104, C.465, C.422, C.322, C.342, C.258, C.329, C.220, C.218, C.263, C.228, C.225, C.192 and C.425) and a slot trench (C.374).

Two pits C.170 and C.197 were situated along the south part of inner line of structure. Pit C.85 was placed along northwest part of inner ring. Three pits C.270, C.363 and C.319 were located in the centre of the house, close to the hearth C.20. Pit C.386 truncated slot trench C.374. Pit C.189 were sited in the entrance of the house. Pit C.189 was cut by


48

stakehole C.223. All these pits contained pieces of charcoal and flecks of burnt bones and were probably used as refuse pits. One pit C.444 was located between two post-line of structure, close to the posthole C.4.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

85 0.56x0.3 0.15 Oval Gentle & concave


197 0.43x032 0.22 Oval Gentle & smooth

Concave 196 Mid brown black soft clayey peat with occasional small stones, frequent flecks, occasional small and medium pieces of charcoal and flecks and small pieces of burnt bone


Concave 268 Dark grey black soft clay with frequent small and medium stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal and flecks and small piece of burnt bone

319 0.37x0.27 0.1 Irregular Moderate & irregular

Undulating 312 Mid brown soft sandy silt with oc-casional pebbles and flecks and small pieces of charcoal


Gentle & concave

Concave 356 Mid grey black soft clay with frequent small, medium and coarse stones and occasional flecks and moderate small pieces of charcoal

189 1.24x0.84 0.23 Square Steep & concave at W, vertical & irregular elsewhere

Flat 181 Soft mid brownish black clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones, flecks and small pieces of burnt bone, frequent flakes and moderate small and medium pieces of charcoal

170 0.54x0.36 0.18 Sub-oval

Vertical & smooth at E, steep & smooth elsewhere

Concave 169 Soft mid greyish black silt with occa-sional pebbles, small stones, medium and large charcoal pieces and flakes of burnt bones

386 0.35x0.34 0.18 Circular Vertical & irregular At S, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Flat 387 Dark brown soft sandy silt with mod-erate pebbles and small stones flecks of charcoal and occasional flecks of burnt bone


Concave 426 Mid brown firm clay. Occasional small angular stones. Occasional flecks of charcoal.

TableofpitsinsidestructureA

The posthole C.41 was situated in the center of the house, next to the hearth C.20 and was probably a central post to support a roof structure. Four of the postholes (C.63, C.103, C.401 and C.415) were concentrated in the north part of the house. Posthole C.279 was located next to the slot trench C.374.

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Context Dimension/ length x width (m)

Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description


Vertical & smooth

Concave 38 Soft mid brownish black peaty clay with occasional small and medium stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal


Concave 59 Soft mid brownish black clay with occasional small stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal



279 0.33x0.26 0.16 Sub-circular

Steep & smooth at E, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Flat 274 Mid black brown soft sandy silt with moderate pebbles, flecks and small pieces of charcoal

401 0.32x0.23 0.29 Sub-circular

Vertical & con-cave at NE and SW, vertical & stepped at NW, steep & convex at SE

Concave 400 Mid brown firm clay. Oc-casional angular small stones. Occasional flecks of charcoal.



187 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

415 0.41x0.38 0.25 Sub-circular

Vertical &smooth

Concave 407 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional small stones and flecks of charcoal

TableofpostholesinsidestructureA

Five of the stakeholes (C.218, C.220, C.225, C.228 and C.329) composed straight line from structural posthole C.188 to pit C.319, which could serve as an internal division of the house. The screen/ wall, created by stakeholes, was situated in the southwest part of the structure. It might be connected with two more stakeholes C.258 and C.263. The rest of the stakeholes inside the house don’t make any obvious pattern.

Four stakeholes (C.44, C.104 C. 322 and C.465) were situated between two post-lines of structure A. The stakehole C.44 were located in the north part of the structure, close to the pit C.444. The stakehole C.465 was sited near the pit C.180, close to the entrance of the house. The stakehole C.104 was located in the south part of the structure, close to the posthole C.82. The stakehole C.322 was next to the posthole C.125.


50

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description


Con-cave

219 Mid grey brown soft clay with occasional flecks of charcoal


Con-cave



Con-cave



Con-cave



Con-cave

259 Mid grey brown soft silty clay with occasional flecks of charcoal


Con-cave

264 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks of charcoal


Con-cave

311 Mid brown grey loose silty clay


Ta-pered pointed

323 Mid brown soft sandy silt with occasional small stones, flecks of charcoal and burnt bone


Con-cave

343 Mid orange brown soft silt with occasional flecks of charcoal


Con-cave

423 Mid grey brown soft sand with occasional flecks of charcoal


Con-cave

424 Mid brown soft sandy silt


Steep & smooth

Con-cave

45 Firm dark brownish black clay with charcoal flecks


Con-cave

105 Firm, mid brown sandy silt with occasional pebbles and charcoal flecks

465 0.08x0.06 0.1 Oval Vertical & smooth

Ta-pered blunt pointed

464 Mid grey brown firm sand silt

TableofstakeholesinsidestructureA

Slot trench C.374 filled with C.355

The slot trench was linear in plan with rounded corners. It measured 1.56m in length by 0.49m in width and 0.1m in depth. The break of slope at the top and at the base was gradual. The sides were gentle and irregular. The base was linear in plan and undulating in profile. The fill was mid brown soft sandy silt with moderate pebbles, occasional small stones and flecks of charcoal. The slot was truncated by pit C.386.

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Subgroup 2d Hearth

Hearth C.20 filled with C.11

The hearth was sub-circular in plan. It measured 0.7m in length by 0.56m in width and 0.2m in depth. The break of slope at the top and at the base was gradual. The sides were smooth and sloped gently. The base was sub-circular in plan and concave in profile. The fill was soft, mid brownish black peaty clay with occasional inclusions of small, medium and large stones, flecks, small and medium pieces of charcoal and flecks of burnt bone. The hearth was located in the centre of the house, next to the central post C.41.

Subgroup 2e External featuresFour pits (C.8, C.87, C.138 and C.429), one posthole (C.132) and one stakehole (C.54) were in vicinity of structure A. They were situated in the front of the entrance to the house.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



87 0.82x0.4 0.2 Oval Moderate & concave

Con-cave

99 Firm mid brown clay with occasion-al small stones

Pit

132 0.21x0.15 0.17 Irregular Steep & concave

Con-cave

142 Firm mid brown clay with pebbles

Post-hole

8 1x0.9 0.46 Sub-circular

Moderate & concave at S, moderate & smooth elsewhere

Con-cave

3 Soft dark brown-ish black clayey silt with frequent small stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal, and moderate medium stones

Stone lined fire related pit or hearth

34 Soft light yellow-ish brown clayey silt with occasional small and medium stones and frequent flecks and small pieces of charcoal


Gentle & smooth at N, moderate at E, vertical elsewhere

Con-cave

134 Firm mid brown clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones and charcoal flecks

Pit

429 1.15x0.5 0.25 Oval Vertical & concave at SW, gentle & concave at NW, steep & concave at SE

Flat 430 Mid orange brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles

Pit


Vertical & smooth

Point-ed

51 Soft dark blackish brown clayey silt

Stake-hole

TableofexternalfeaturesofstructureA


52

Group 3 Structure BStructure B was a sub-circular house that was located in the southwest part of the site, approximately 5m to the south of Structure A. The marks of the structure were incom-plete. The possible structure comprised ring of posts C.81, C.397, C.352, C.394, C.328, C.445 and two stakeholes C.301 and C.299. The slot trenches C.491 and C.492 probably formed the entrance 1.4m wide. The hearth (C.238), two postholes (C.328 and C.445) and stakehole (C.291) might be a part of inner ring of posts. The base of the hearth was cut by four stakeholes (C.297, C.299, C.301 and C.305).

Subgroup 3a Inner Ring of the structure BThe line of structure B comprised two slot trenches (C.491 and C.492), six postholes (C. 81, C.397, C.352, C.394, C.328 andC.445) and a pit C.238 cut by four stakeholes ( C.299, C.301, C.328 and C.445).

Slot trench C.491 filled with C.409

Slot trench was L-shaped in plan and was composed of seven postholes C.156, C.410, C.411, C.412, C.413, C.414 and C.415 cut into the base. The slot trench was 1.4m long northeast -southwest and 0.95m north -south with 0.43m width. The postholes measured in average 0.33m in length by 0.30m in width and 0.23m in depth.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan

Sides Base Post pipe cut

Filled with

Fill description

156 0.64x0.37 0.24 Oval Concave & smooth

Oval 162 Mid red brown silty sand.


Concave 115 409 Mid grey brown firm silty sand with occa-sional pebbles and flecks of charcoal


Flat 118 409


Concave 130 409


Concave 141 409


Concave 148 409

415 0.41x0.38 0.25 Sub-circular Steep & smooth

Concave 407 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional small stones and flecks of charcoal

TableofpostholesinsideslottrenchC�491

Slot trench C.492 filled with C.398/416.

Slot trench was L-shape in plan and was composed of six postholes C.55, C.376/417, C.418, C.419, C.420 & C.421 cut into the base. The slot trench was 1.38m long NE-SW and 0.95m N-S with 0.56m in width. The postholes measured in average 0.30m in length by 0.24m in width and 0.23m in depth.

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Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan

Sides Base Post pipe cut

Filled with

Fill description


Oval 61 & 62 56&58


Concave 122 398/416 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with oc-casional pebbles and flecks of charcoal


Concave 113 398/416


Concave 106 398/416


Concave 95 398/416

421 0.38x0.25 0.4 Oval Steep & undercut at NE, steep & smooth elsewhere

Concave 93 398/416

TableofpostholesinsideslottrenchC�492

Four postholes C.81, C.397, C.352 and C.394 formed north wall of structure B. They were placed to the northwest of slot trench C.492.

Con-text


Depth (m) Shape in plan


Fill description


Concave & moderate at SW, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Flat 84 Compact, mid greyish black brown silty sand with occasional pebbles and frequent small pieces of charcoal


Con-cave

385 Mid firm clay silt with occasional pebbles & small stones


Con-cave

347 Mid grey brown loose silty sand with occasional pebbles

394 0.26x0.20 0.22 Oval Vertical & smooth at N &S, steep & concave at E, vertical & concave at W

Flat 382 Mid brown grey soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles & flecks of charcoal

393 Light yellow brown soft sandy clay with occasional pebbles & small stones

TableofstructuralpostholestothenorthwestofslottrenchC�492

Two postholes C.328 and C.445 and two stakeholes C299 and C.301 formed north-east wall of structure B. They were placed to the south of slot trench C.491.


54

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan




Concave 340 Mid brown grey soft sandy silt with occasional pebbles & flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

445 0.25x0.2 0.13 Sub-circular Vertical & smooth

Concave 446 Mid brown grey soft sandy silt with occasional pebbles & flecks of charcoal

Post-hole


Concave 298 Mid grey brown soft silty sand with occasional fine pebbles

Stake-hole



Stake-hole

TablesofstructuralfeaturestothesouthofslottrenchC�491

Inside posthole C.328 were found debitage flint.

Pit C.238 filled with C.237

The pit was sub-rectangular in plan with rounded corners. It measured 0.92m in length, 0.74m in width and 0.16m in depth. The break of slope at the top was sharp. The sides were steep and smooth at north and south, vertical & smooth at west, east side of the hearth was truncated. The break of slope at the base was sharp at west and gradual else-where. The base was sub-rectangular in plan and flat in profile. The fill was mid yellow black firm sandy silt with a large amount of pebbles, small stones and occasional medium stones. It contained moderate flecks, small, medium and large pieces of charcoal with moderate inclusions of flecks of bone. Four stakeholes cut the base of the pit.

Four stakeholes (C.297, C.299, C.301 and C.305) cut the base of the hearth C.237

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description








Concave 304 Mid grey grey soft silty sand with occasional fine pebbles

TableofstakeholescutintothebaseofthehearthC�238

Pit C.238 was interpreted as a hearth during excavation.

Subgroup 3b Outer ring of Structure BThe outer ring comprised five postholes (C.392, C.336, C.354, C.227 and C.254) in ad-dition to the four postholes that formed part of the entrance slot trenches. Three (C.336,

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C.354, C.392) were located on the northern circuit and two (C.227 and C.254) on the south-eastern.

392 0.6x0.4 0.2 Oval Vertical & smooth at N and S, vertical & concave elsewhere

Flat 389 Mid grey brown loose clayey sand with flacks of charcoal

Post-hole

336 0.24x0.22 0.29 Circular Steep & concave at SW, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Concave 330 Mid firm sandy silt with occasional pebbles and small stones

Post-hole


Concave 344 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with oc-casional pebbles, small and medium stones and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole


Oval Mid brown soft sandy silt

Stake-hole



248 Mid brown soft silty clay

Stake-hole

TableofstructurepostholesonoutercircuitofstructureB

Subgroup 3c Internal featuresTwo postholes (C.350 and C.368) and one stakehole (C.377) were situated inside possible structure B.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



350 0.18x0.18 0.24 Circular Steep & concave at S, steep & undercut at N, vertical & smooth at E and W

Flat 337 Mid brown grey soft clayey silt with pebbles, flecks and small pieces of charcoal and flecks of burnt bone

Post-hole

368 0.23x0.2 0.13 Oval Moderate & concave at NW, vertical & smooth at SW, steep & concave at NE and SE

Con-cave

364 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occa-sional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

377 0.12x0.11 0.2 Circular Steep & smooth at N, steep & undercut at S, vertical &smooth at E and W

Con-cave

378 Light brown grey soft silty clay with occasional pebbles

Stake-hole

TableoffeaturesinsidestructureB


56

Subgroup 3d StakeholesTwelve stakeholes could be connected with the post -line of structure B. Eleven of them (C.242, C.243, C.246, C.250, C.255, C.257, C.265, C.267, C.283 C.288 and C.320) were located next to posthole C.81. Stakehole C.291 was situated next to the postholes C.445 and C.328.

Con-text

Dimensions (m)

Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

242 0.08x0.08 0.13 Circular Verti-cal & smooth

Rounded pointed

239 Mid grey brown soft silty clay with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal





Concave 241 Mid grey brown soft silty clay with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal





Rounded pointed



Rounded pointed



Concave 260 Mid brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

267 0.07x0.05 0.11 Oval Verti-cal & smooth





282 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles


Tapered pointed




315 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional charcoal flecks

291 0.09x0.08 0.11 Oval Verti-cal & smooth

Concave 292 Grey brown silty compact sand with occasional pebbles

Tableofstakeholesconnectedwithpost-lineofstructureB

Subgroup 3e External featuresOne pit C.7 truncated by three stakeholes, ten stakeholes (C.195, C.199, C.211, C.230, C.232, C.236, C.251, C.456, C.458 and C.462) and slot trench C.490 cut by four post-holes and one stakehole (C.201, 203, 205, 207 and 209) were located to the south and east of structure B. One more pit C.405 and stakehole C.408 were located to the south west of structure B.

Castleroan-e3909

57


Pit C.7 was situated in front of the entrance of structure B. The pit was interpreted as possible refuse pit. The pottery and hazelnut shell were found in the fill of the pit. The pit was truncated by three stakeholes: C.23, C.25 and C.27.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



7 0.62x0.6 0.2 Oval Steep & smooth at S, steep & irregular at E, moderate & smooth at N and W

Concave 18 Firm mid brownish black silty sand with occasional peb-bles and small stones and mod-erate charcoal flecks

Pit

19 Firm dark brown silty sand with occasional pebbles, small stones and char-coal flecks


Concave 24 Firm mid brown clay with occa-sional pebbles

Stake-hole



Stake-hole



Stake-hole

TableofdimensionsofpitC�7andstakeholesC�23,C�25andC�27

Nine stakeholes (C.195, C.199, C.211, C.230, C.232, C.236, C.251, C.254, C.456 and C.458) and a slot trench C.490 cut by four postholes and one stakehole were situated to the south of structure B. The stakehole C. 426 was located east of the slot trench C.491.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description



194 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with occasional pebbles, flecks and medium pieces of charcoal


Tapered pointed



Rounded pointed


230 0.05x0.05 0.14 Circular Vertical & smooth at N and S , steep & undercut at W

Tapered blunt pointed



Concave 231 Mid grey brown soft clay with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal


58

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description


Tapered pointed

235 Light grey brown soft silty clay with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

251 0.11x0.09 0.18 Circular Vertical & smooth at N, S and E, un-dercut at W


247 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt



248 Mid brown soft silty clay


Rounded pointed

457 Mid brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks of charcoal



459 Mid brown soft clayey silt with occasional charcoal flecks



463 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

TableofstakeholestothesouthofstructureB

Slot trench C.490 filled with C.175 and C.245

It was sub-circular in plan. It measured 2.16m in length by 1.47 in width. The fill C.245 was mid brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles and moderate flecks of charcoal. The slot trench was cut by four postholes (C.201, C.203, C.205 and C.209) and one stakehole (C. 207).

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

201 0.37x0.27 0.33 Circular Moderate & smooth at E, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Flat 200 Mid brown very soft silty clay with occasional pebbles, small stones and flecks of charcoal

203 0.26x0.2 0.42 Circular Vertical & smooth at N and W, moderate & smooth at S and E

Flat 202 Mid brown very soft silty clay with occasional pebbles, small stones and flecks of charcoal

205 0.18x0.15 0.25 Circular Vertical & smooth Flat 204 Mid brown very soft silty clay with occasional peb-bles and small stones

209 0.34x0.33 0.47 Circular Vertical & smooth Flat 208 Mid brown very soft silty clay with moderate pebbles

207 0.1x0.1 0.05 Circular Vertical & smooth Rounded pointed

206 Mid brown very soft silty clay with moderate pebbles

TableoffeaturescutintoslottrenchC�490

One more pit C.405 and stakehole C.408 were located further south west of structure B.

Castleroan-e3909

59


Pit C.405 filled with C.406

The pit was oval in plan with rounded corners. It measured 0.31m in length by 0.2m in width and 0.13m in depth. The break of slope at the top and at the base was gradual. The sides were vertical and smooth at southeast, moderate and concave at northwest and northeast, moderate and stepped at southwest. The base was oval in plan and concave in profile. The fill was mid yellow brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles and flacks of charcoal.

Stakehole C.408 filled with C.399

The stakehole was circular in plan with rounded corners. The sides were vertical and smooth. The base was oval in plan and concave in profile. The fill was loose grey brown sandy clay.

Group 4 Features to the east of structure BThree postholes (C.50, C.431 and C.433), three stakeholes (C.71, C.88 and C.98) and three pits (C.29, C.100 and C.468) were situated to the east of structure B.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



50 0.22x0.19 0.17 Circular Steep & smooth at N, vertical & smooth at S, moderate & undercut at E, vertical & under-cut at W

Con-cave

43 Firm dark black silty sand with pebbles and moderate me-dium charcoal pieces

Post-hole


Ta-pered round-ed pointed

432 Grey brown soft clayey silt

Post-hole


Ta-pered round-ed pointed

434 Grey brown soft clayey silt with occa-sional flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

71 0.12x0.11 0.23 Circular Steep & smooth at NE and NW, vertical & smooth at SE and SW

Con-cave

64 Firm brown sandy silt

Stake-hole


Con-cave


Stake-hole


Con-cave


Stake-hole

TableofpostholesandstakeholestotheeastofstructureB

Stakeholes and postholes could (?) create two separated wind screens.


60

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

29 0.63x0.63 0.39 Circular Moderate & stepped at N, mod-erate & smooth at E, vertical & ir-regular at S and W

Concave 30 Compact mid greyish brown silty sand with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

39 Compact mid grey silty sand with occasional pebbles, small, medium and large stones, medium charcoal pieces and moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal

40 Firm mid brown clayey sand with occasional pebbles, small stones and charcoal flecks

100 0.66x0.57 0.2 Irregular Moderate & ir-regular at N, steep & smooth at S, gentle & irregular at E, moderate & smooth at W

Concave 92 Compact dark greyish brown silty sand with oc-casional pebbles, stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

468 0.95x0.82 0.53 Sub-circular ides are steep and smooth at N and E, steep and concave at S and W.

Concave 469 Light grey brown loose silty sand with moderate pebbles, small stones, occasional medium and large stones, moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal

478 Mid brown very soft clayey silt with moderate pebbles, small and medium stones and occasional flecks of charcoal

TableofpittotheeastofstructureB

Pits C.29 and C.100 were located 4.5m to the east of pit C.7 and 5.5m to the east of entrance of Structure B. Pit C.29 contained a single large stone on the base, which was interpreted as probably used for production purposes (a hazelnut shell was found within this pit as well).

Group 5 Features between structures Five postholes (C.175, C.436, C.285, C.309, and C.316), four pits (C.164, C.32, C.371 and C.12), six pits/possible postholes (C.48, C.428, C.448, C.326, C.367 and C.402) and six stakeholes (C.317, C.422, C.453, C.438, C.455 and C.345) were situated between structure A and B.

Castleroan-e3909

61


Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



175 0.4x0.34 0.2 Circular Gentle & smooth

Con-cave

177 Soft mid greyish brown clayey silt with occasional pebbles, charcoal and bone flecks

Post-hole

173 Spongy mid to dark brown-ish black clayey peat with occasional pebbles, small stones, flecks, small and big pieces of charcoal and bone flecks

178 Soft mid greyish brown clayey silt with occasional pebbles, charcoal flecks and burnt bone flecks


Flat 435 Mid brown very soft silty clay

Post-hole

285 0.24x0.19 0.22 Sub-circular

Vertical & smooth

Con-cave

275 Mid brown firm sandy silt with occasional pebbles, small stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Post-hole


Con-cave

310 Mid yellow brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole

392 0.6x0.4 0.2 Oval Verti-cal & smooth at N and S, vertical & concave elsewhere

Flat 389 Mid grey brown loose clayey sand with flacks of charcoal

Post-hole

336 0.24x0.22 0.29 Circular Steep & concave at SW, vertical & smooth elsewhere

Con-cave

330 Mid firm sandy silt with occasional peb-bles and small stones

Post-hole


Con-cave

344 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with oc-casional pebbles, small and medium stones and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole


Con-cave

306 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occa-sional small, medium and large stones and flecks of charcoal

Post-hole


Con-cave

157 Spongy mid brown-ish black clayey peat with occasional small stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Pit


62

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan




Con-cave

33 Very soft mid brown-ish black sandy silt with occasional pebbles, flecks, small and large pieces of charcoal

Pit

36 Soft dark yellowish greyish brown sandy silt with oc-casional pebbles, flecks and small pieces of charcoal

371 0.65x0.35 0.22 Oval Moderate & smooth at NW, vertical & smooth at SE, steep & concave at SW, gentle & smooth at NE

Con-cave

372 Mid yellow brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small, medium and large stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Pit


Con-cave

6 Soft dark greyish brown sandy silt with moderate pebbles and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Pit

16 Soft, dark brown sandy silt with moderate pebbles, small stones, flecks, small and medium pieces of charcoal

48 0.33x0.33 0.12 Circular Vertical & smooth at N, steep at E and W

Flat 46 Soft mid brownish black sandy silt with occasional pebbles, small stones, flacks, small and medium pieces of charcoal

Pit/PH

49 Soft dark yellowish brown sandy silt with occasional pebbles and charcoal flecks


Flat 427 Mid brown grey soft clayey silt with oc-casional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

Pit/PH

Castleroan-e3909

63


Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan



448 0.38x0.37 0.2 Circular Moderate & smooth at NE and NW, vertical & smooth at SE and SW

Flat 447 Mid grey brown soft clayey silt with pebbles and flecks of charcoal

Pit/PH

326 0.44x0.38 0.3 Oval Vertical & smooth at N, vertical & undercut elsewhere

Undu-lating

303 Dark grey brown compact silty sand with pebbles with flecks of charcoal

Pit/PH

331 Mid yellow brown weakly cemented silty sand with moderate pebbles, small stones and flecks of charcoal

332 Mid pink brown weakly cemented clayey sand with occasional pebbles and moderate small stones


Verti-cal & concave at N and W, steep & concave at E and S

Flat 348 Mid grey brown loose clayey sand with moderate small pieces of charcoal

Pit/PH


Vertical & smooth at N, steep & concave at S and E, steep & undercut at W

Con-cave

388 Mid grey brown loose silty sand with oc-casional pebbles, small stones and flecks, small and medium pieces of charcoal

Pit/PH

403 Mid brown loose silty sand with occasional pebbles, small stones, flecks and small pieces of charcoal


Ta-pered round-ed point-ed

318 Mid yellow brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks of charcoal

Stake-hole


Con-cave

423 Mid grey brown soft sand with occasional flecks of charcoal

Stake-hole


Con-cave

452 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with oc-casional pebbles

Stake-hole


Ta-pered point-ed

437 Grey brown compact silty sand with oc-casional pebbles

Stake-hole


64

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan




Con-cave

454 Mid grey brown firm sandy silt with occasional flecks of charcoal

Stake-hole


Ta-pered round-ed point-ed

346 Mid yellow brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks of charcoal

Stake-hole

TableoffeaturessituatedbetweenstructureAandB

Posthole C.309 was cut by two stakeholes C.317 and C.345.The above features could be divided by their proximity to either of the two structures

into two groups. One connected with structure B comprised contexts C.392, C.402, C. 336, C.354, C.316, C.442, C.309 and one connected with structure A composed of con-texts C.164, C.175, C.436, C.32 and C.455.

The alignment of the pit and the postholes indicate possible existence of earlier struc-ture in this part of the site. Two semi-circular structures could be considered in this area. One of the structures could have been composed of contexts: C.286, C.125, C.63, C.41, C.279, C.184, C.67, C.32, C.48 and C.285. The second possible structure could com-prise contexts: C.32, C.48, C.326, C.367, C.402, C.352 and C.368. Both structures would probably pre-dated Structure A and Structure B.

Group 6 Features in the northeast part of the siteEleven pits (C.74, C.152, C.280, C.338, C.375, C.470 and C.486), two postholes (C.339 and C.484) and two stakeholes (C.102 and C.262) were situated northeast of the struc-ture A and B. The postholes and stakeholes were connected with the pits. The pits are elongated northwest-southeast and seem to form northeast border line of the main activ-ity on the site.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

74 1.77x1.73 0.45 Irregular Vertical & concave

Flat 70 Soft dark brownish black clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones and large charcoal pieces. Moderate inclusions of charcoal flecks

73 Very soft light brownish yellow clay with occasional small stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

Castleroan-e3909

65


Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

152 0.8x0.6 0.3 Oval Vertical & concave

Con-cave

145 Soft dark brownish black clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small stones and flecks and small pieces of charcoal

171 Soft light yellowish brown clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones and charcoal flecks

280 0.99x0.55 0.25 Oval Moderate & convex at NE and SW, moderate & concave at SE, steep & irregular at NW

Flat 278 Mid brown firm clay with oc-casional pebbles, small stones and flecks of charcoal

302 Dark black stiff clay with moderate pebbles, small and medium stones and occasional flecks of charcoal

308 Light grey firm clay with oc-casional pebbles

338 1.44x0.65 0.3 Oval Steep & concave at NE, steep & smooth elsewhere

Flat 314 Dark grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks and moderate small pieces of charcoal and occasional small flecks of burnt bone

375 0.49x0.36 0.19 Sub-circular

Moderate & convex at NE, moderate & concave at SE and SW, steep & concave at NW

Con-cave

373 Dark black firm clay with moderate pebbles and frequent large pieces of charcoal

381 Light orange firm clay with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal


Flat 479 Mid yellow grey soft sandy silt with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal

471 Mid grey soft sandy silt with occasional pebbles, small stones and flecks of charcoal


66

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

486 1.15x0.67 0.38 Oval Steep & smooth at N and S, steep & irregular at E and W

Flat 487 Mid brown grey compact silty sand with moderate pebbles and occa-sional small stones

488 Mid yellow grey compact silty sand with occasional pebbles and small stones

Tableofpitsinthenortheastpartofthesite

The pit C.338 was truncated by posthole C.339. To the northeast of this pit was lo-cated stakehole C.262. Posthole C.484 and stakehole C.102 were situated close to the pit C.74. The pit C.74 was interpreted as possibly modern pit.

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description

339 0.29x0.2 0.23 Oval Moderate & smooth at NE, vertical & concave at SE, vertical & smooth at SW, steep & smooth at NW

Flat 314 Dark grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional flecks and moderate small pieces of charcoal and occasional small flecks of burnt bone

358 Packing stones

484 0.4x0.31 0.2 Circular Steep & concave

Con-cave

485 Mid brown grey soft clayey silt with occasional small stones and flecks of charcoal

Tableofpostholesinthenortheastpartofthesite

Con-text


Depth (m)

Shape in plan


Fill description


Pointed 101 Soft, dark black brown clayey silt with occasional stone and charcoal flecks

262 0.1x0.08 0.11 Circular Vertical & un-dercut at W, ver-tical & smooth elsewhere


261 Mid brown firm clay

Tableofstakeholesinthenortheastpartofthesite

Group 7 Ditches and furrowTwo ditches (C.293 and C.472) and one furrow (C.13) run across the site.

Castleroan-e3909

67


Ditch C.293 filled with C.294, C.466 and C.467

A modern ditch located north-east of the structures aligned north-east to south-west. The ditch measured c.7.4m in length (within area of excavation), 1m in width and maximum 0.7m in depth. The break of slope at the top was gradual. The sides were concave and moderate. The break of slope at the base was gradual. The base was linear in plan and concave in profile. The upper fill C.294 was llight grey brown very soft silty clay with moderate small stones, occasional medium stones and moderate small pieces of charcoal inclusions. The middle fill C.466 was mid grey brown very soft sandy clay with moderate medium stones and occasional small pieces of charcoal inclusions. The basal fill C.467 was mid grey brown soft silty clay with moderate medium stones inclusions.

Ditch C.472 filled with C.473

A ditch located north-east of the structures aligned north – east. The ditch measured 4.4m in length (within area of excavation), 0.7m in width and maximum 0.52m in depth. The break of slope at the top was sharp. The sides were vertical and concave at west, steep and concave at east. The break of slope at the base was gradual at east, and sharp at west. The base was linear in plan and concave in profile. The fill was mid grey brown soft clayey silt with occasional pebbles, small and medium stones.

Furrow C.13 filled with C.14 and C.15

An agricultural furrow runs across the site in the north-east direction. The furrow was linear in plan. It measured 25m in length by 0.58m in width and 0.29m in depth. The break of slope at the top was imperceptible. The sides were irregular and sloped gently. The break of slope at the base was gradual. The base was linear in plan and concave in profile. The upper fill C.14 was compact light brown silty sand with pebbles. The lower fill C.15 was loose silt with pebbles and small stones.

At least three more furrows run across the site. One of them truncated slot trench C.490 and hearth C.238. The other one cut slot trench C.491.


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Appendix 4 Lithics Finds Report

by Farina Sternke

IntroductionSix lithic finds from the archaeological investigations of a prehistoric site at Castleroan 1, Co. Offaly were presented for analysis (Table 1). The finds are associated with a large number of pits, post holes, stake holes, hearths and slot trenches.

Find

Num

ber

Con

text

Mat

eria

l

Type

Cor

tex

Con

diti

on

Leng

th (m

m)

Wid

th (m

m)

Thi

ckn.

(mm

)

Com

plet

e

Ret

ouch

E3909:121:1 121 Chert Flake Yes Slightly Rolled 27 19 10 Yes NoE3909:121:2 121 Chert Debitage E3909:121:3 121 Chert Debitage E3909:150:1 150 Rhyolite Gaming

Piece?No Slightly Weathered 20 11 10 Yes No

E3909:340:1 340 Flint Debitage E3909:390:1 390 Flint Retouched

ArtefactNo Slightly Patinated 19 16 4 No Bifa-

cialTable1CompositionoftheLithicAssemblagefromCastleroan1(E3909)

MethodologyAll lithic artefacts are examined visually and catalogued using Microsoft Excel. The fol-lowing details are recorded for each artefact which measures at least 2 cm in length or width: context information, raw material type, artefact type, the presence of cortex, arte-fact condition, length, with and thickness measurements, fragmentation and the type of retouch (where applicable). The technological criteria recorded are based on the terminol-ogy and technology presented in Inizan et al. 1999. The general typological and morpho-logical classifications are based on Woodman et al. 2006. Struck lithics smaller than 2 cm are classed as debitage and not analysed further, unless they are retouched or of specific significance, e.g. cores etc. The same is done with natural chunks.

QuantificationThe artefacts are two flaked pieces of flint (E3909:340:1 and E3909:390:1), three flaked pieces of chert (E3909:1:1-3) and one modified piece of what appears to be rhyolite.

Three artefacts are larger than 2 cm in length and width or are of typological and technological significance and were therefore recorded in detail.

Castleroan-e3909

69


ProvenanceThe finds were recovered from various pit and post hole fills.

ConditionThe recorded lithics survive in slightly patinated (E3909:390:1), slightly weathered (E3909:150:1) and slightly rolled (E3909:121:1) condition. One artefact (E3909:390:1) is incomplete and another (E3909:121:1) bear the remnants of cortex.

Technology/MorphologyThe lithics are a flake (E3909:121:1), three pieces of debitage (E3909:121:2-3 and E3909:340:1), a retouched artefact (E3909:390:1) and a possible gaming piece (E3909:150:1).

Flakes

The flake is made of chert and was detached from a bipolar core. It measures 27 mm, 19 mm and 10 mm thick. The flake probably dates to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period.

Debitage

The presence of three pieces (one flint and two cherts) of debitage suggests that knapping or tool resharpening may have taken place at the site.

Retouched ArtefactThe retouched artefact is made of flint and is a classic barbed-and-tanged arrowhead. The arrowhead is missing a portion of one of its barbs and has typical impact wear which includes a broken tip and a longitudinal fracture. The arrowhead measures 19 mm in length, 16 mm in width and 4 mm in thickness. It is a typical Beaker period example.

Miscellaneous ArtefactsArtefact E3909:150:1 is a possible gaming piece. It is made of what appears to be rhyolite and is shaped and polished into a short cylinder. It measures 20 mm long and 11 mm in diameter. It most likely also dates to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period.

DatingThe assemblage can be regarded as technologically and typologically diagnostic and dates to the second half of the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (Beaker period).

ConservationLithics do not require specific conservation, but should be stored in a dry, stable environ-ment. Preferably, each lithic should be bagged separately and contact with other lithics should be avoided, so as to prevent damage and breakage, in particular edge damage


70

which could later be misinterpreted as retouch. Larger and heavier items are best kept in individual boxes to avoid crushing of smaller assemblage pieces.

DiscussionFlint is available in Co. Offaly in the form of remanié pebbles. The predominant use of the abundant local chert is a direct result of the flint scarcity. Flint does not appear to have been brought to Castleroan 1, but flint artefacts were introduced in the form of finished tools. However, local chert appears to have been knapped in situ.

ConclusionThe lithic finds from the archaeological excavation at Castleroan 1, Co. Offaly are a chert flake, a flint barbed-and-tanged arrowhead, three pieces of debitage and a possible gam-ing piece.

The assemblage is technologically and typologically diagnostic and dates to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age (Beaker period).

This site makes a minor contribution to the evidence for prehistoric settlement in Co. Offaly.

BibliographyInizan, M.-L., M. Reduron-Ballinger, H. Roche and J. Tixier, 1999. Technology and

Terminology of Knapped Stone 5. CREP, Nanterre.

Woodman, P. C., Finlay, N. and E. Anderson, 2006. The Archaeology of a Collection: The Keiller-Knowles Collection of the National Museum of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland Monograph Series 2. Wordwell, Bray.

Castleroan-e3909

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Appendix 5 Pottery report

Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan

Beaker VesselA bodysherd and two fragments representing a finely constructed Chalcolithic (c. 2450–2300 BC) Beaker vessel was found within a pit C.18 and appears to represent residual material on a Middle to Late Bronze Age site. The thin-walled, well-fired fabric ranges in thickness between 6.5mm and 7.0mm and weighs 39g. The fabric is hard and compact with a high content of what appear to be dolerite inclusions. The surfaces are somewhat abraded. The sherds have an orange exterior surface, a grey-brown core and a brown interior surface. Decoration is present on the exterior surface in the form of horizontal panels of incised criss-cross and filled triangle motifs. The decorative panels are bordered with horizontal incised lines. A constricted waist is present on the bodysherd indicating it represents a biconical vessel. Such vessels conform to Case’s Style 3, an insular form probably dating to the latter stages of this period of prehistory and can be compared to pots from Largantea, Co. Derry (Case 1993, 259; Waddell 1998, fig. 47). In the past these forms and decorative styles have generally been assigned to Clarke’s (1970) northern Brit-ish types. More recently, following reviews by, for example, Lanting and van der Waals (1972), there has been a greater recognition of the regional development of Beaker. Case’s (1993) simpler threefold scheme, and its specific application to the Irish material, provides a straightforward medium for insular comparison (Case 1995).

The distribution of Beaker pottery in Ireland is mainly concentrated in eastern Ulster, extending down through Leinster, increasing in numbers in north Leinster and extending across into Munster but until recent years they were rare in the region under discussion. Closely comparable material has come from sites on the Fermoy to Mitchelstown bypass, at Caherdrinny 3, Gortnahown 2 and Ballynamona 2 and sites on the Rathcormac to Fermoy Bypass (Roche and Grogan 2009a-c; Grogan and Roche 2007). New discoveries also include Ross Island, Co. Kerry (O’Brien 1995), Barnagore 2, Carrigohane 4, Cur-raheen 1, Co. Cork (Danaher 2004a; 2004b; 2004c), Graigueshoneen and Ahanaglogh, Co. Waterford (Tierney et al. 2002).


72

ReferencesCase, H. 1993 Beakers: Deconstruction and After, Proceedings of the Prehistoric

Society 59, 241–68.

Case, H. 1995 Irish Beakers in their European Context. In J. Waddell and E. Shee Twohig (eds), Ireland in the Bronze Age, 14–29. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Clarke, D.L. 1970 Beaker Pottery of Great Britain and Ireland. Gulbenkian Archaeological Series, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Danaher, E. 2004a Barnagore 2. Bronze Age cremation pit, Co. Cork. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2002, 59–60.

Wordwell, Bray.

Danaher, E. 2004b Carrigohane 4. Circular pit with Beaker pottery, Co. Cork. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2002, 64. Wordwell, Bray.

Danaher, E. 2004c Curraheen 1. Multi-phases settlement, Co. Cork. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2002, 74–76. Wordwell, Bray.

Grogan, E. and Roche, H. 2007 The prehistoric pottery from the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy Bypass. Unpublished Report for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.

Lanting, J. and van der Waals, D. 1972 British Beakers as seen from the Continent, Helenium 12, 20-46.

O’Brien, W. 1995 Ross Island – the beginning, Archaeology Ireland 31, 24–27.

Roche and Grogan 2009a The prehistoric pottery from Caherdrinny 3, Co. Cork. Unpublished Report for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

Roche and Grogan 2009b The prehistoric pottery from Gortnahown 2, Co. Cork. Unpublished Report for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

Roche and Grogan 2009c The prehistoric pottery from Ballynamona 2, Co. Cork. Unpublished Report for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

Tierney, J., Richardson, A. and Frazer, B. 2002 Ahanaglogh-Graigueshoneen. Prehistoric. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2000, 328–31. Wordwell, Bray.

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Waddell, J. 1998 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Galway University Press, Galway.


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CatalogueThe excavation number E3909 is omitted throughout; only the deposit number followed by the find number is included. Where the pottery is listed in the catalogue the context numbers are in bold: e.g. bodysherds: 18:1. The colour reference refers to the outer sur-face/core/inner surface, e.g. orange/grey/black. The thickness refers to an average dimen-sion; where relevant a thickness range is indicated.

Beaker Vessel

Vessel 1. Represented by bodysherd 18:1 and two fragments 18:2, 19:1 that appear to be from the same vessel.

The bodysherd is from the area below the rim and a constricted waist is present. Thin -walled, hard, well-fired fabric with a high content of dolerite inclusions (≤ 3.1mm). The surfaces are slightly weathered although the exterior surface had originally been care-fully smoothed. Decoration is present on the exterior surface in the form of horizontal panels of incised criss-cross and filled triangle motifs. The decorative panels are bordered with horizontal incised lines. Colour: orange/grey-brown/brown. Thickness: 6.5–7.0mm. Weight: 39g.

Castleroan-e3909

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Appendix 6 Plant Remains Analysis

By Penny Johnston

IntroductionThis report details the results of plant remains analysis from Castleroan, Co. Tipperary (E3909). A small amount of the samples from this site contained the remains of charred plant remains. Most of the plant remains were associated with Structure A. Radiocarbon dates indicated activity that dated from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age.

MethodologyThe samples were collected on site as bulk soil and were processed using machine-as-sisted floatation (following guidelines in Pearsall 2000). The floating material (or ‘flot’) from each sample was collected in a stack of geological sieves (the smallest mesh size was 250mm). When all the carbonised material was collected the flot was then air-dried in paper-lined drying trays prior to storage in airtight plastic bags. The processed samples were scanned under low-powered magnification (x 10 to x 40) using a binocular micro-scope. Nomenclature and taxonomic order follows Stace (1997).

ResultsThe results of preliminary scanning are presented in Table 1 at the end of this report. A total of 13 out of the 57 scanned samples. As plant remains were low, all samples with plant remains were selected for further analysis. Identifications are listed in Table 2 at the end of this report.

Most of the retrieved plant remains were identified as hazelnut shell fragments. These are ubiquitous finds in Irish archaeological deposits. The hazel tree was highly valued in the past because the nuts were valuable for food and because the tree was suitable for cop-picing and therefore for timber and stakes (Geraghty 1996, 43). The nut shell fragments collected from archaeological sites usually represent waste as the shell fragments were cast aside after the nut kernel was consumed (Monk 2000, 75).

The remaining plant remains were identified as hulled barley and some indeterminate types of cereals. The recovery of hulled barley from Middle to Late Bronze Age sites is relatively common across N7 Castletown to Nenagh sites, for example barley was recov-ered from Bronze Age and prehistoric occupation deposits at Clashnevin 2, Derrybane 2, Drumbaun, Drumroe and Moatquarter. Barley was the most frequent type of cereal at Chabcellorsland Site A (McClatchie 2008, 475), Curraghatoor (McClatchie 2007, 64), on sites along the route of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown (Halwas 2009, 265) in Co. Tip-perary and from sites along the route of the gas pipeline to the west (Johnston 2007, 70). However, in general the plant remains from Castleroan were only found in quite small amounts and it is difficult to generalise about what types of plants were most important in the Bronze Age economy based on such a small assemblage of charred remains.


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ContextsThe plant remains from Castleroan were taken from pit (C.8, C.82, C.100, C.170, C.189, C.191, C.280 and C.386), post-holes (C.227, C.328, C.350 and C.401) and a slot trench (C.351). Almost all of these contained the remains of hazelnut shell fragments, apart from the deposit from post-hole (C.328). This suggests that hearth waste was widely, albeit thinly, dispersed across the site. The cereal were recovered from this site indicate that hulled barley and indeterminate cereals were found from pit C.386, associated with Struc-ture A, indeterminate cereals were also found from a post-hole associated with Structure B, and hulled barley and indeterminate cereals were also found in the isolated pits C.100 and C.8.

The limited recovery of charred plant remains from Bronze Age house sites is quite common, particularly along the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road scheme. Similar small assemblages have also been recovered from Moatquarter and Drumroe. The small quantities of plant remains from Castleroan probably represent piecemeal and small-scale charring during cooking and domestic activity.

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ReferenceGeraghty, S. 1996 Viking Dublin: Botanical Evidence from Fishamble Street. Medieval

Dublin Excavations 1962-81 Series C, vol. 2 Dublin: Royal Irish Academy.

Halwas, S. 2009 Macro-plant remains, pp. 262–275 in McQuade, M., Molloy, B. and Moriarty, C. In the Shadow of the Galtees. Dublin, National Roads Authority.

Johnston, P. 2007 Analysis of carbonised plant remains, pp. 70–79 in Grogan, E., O’Donnell and Johnston, P. The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West. Dublin, Wordwell.

McClatchie, M. 2008 Plant remains from Site A, pp. 473 – 478 in Doody, M. The Ballyhoura Hills Project. Dublin, Discovery Programme Monograph No.7.

McClatchie, M. 2007 The plant remains, pp. 62–67 in Doody, M. Excavations at Curraghatoor, Co. Tipperary. Cork, UCC Department of Archaeology Archaeological Monograph 2007.

Monk, M. 2000 ‘Seeds and soils of discontent: an environmental archaeological contribution to the nature of the Early Neolithic,’ 67–87 in Desmond, A., Johnson, G., McCarthy, M., Sheehan, J. and Shee Twohig, E. (eds) New Agendas in Irish Prehistory. Bray, Wordwell.

Pearsall, D. 2000 Paleoethnobotany: a Handbook of Procedures. New York, Academic Press.

Stace, C.A. 1997 (second edition) New Flora in the British Isles, Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.


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Table1:ScannedsamplesfromCastleroan1

Sample Context Seeds1 3 Absent2 11 Absent4 16 Absent13 34 Low14 33 Absent17 38 Absent20 39 Absent21 40 Absent25 59 Absent26 42 Absent33 68 Absent38 80 Absent40 73 Absent41 84 Absent42 83 Low46 97 Absent47 86 Absent48 92 Low60 121 Absent65 134 Absent72 153 Absent73 145 Absent74 143 Absent77 157 Absent80 166 Absent82 169 Low83 173 Absent85 176 Absent87 179 Absent89 185 Absent90 181 Low92 186 Low94 196 Absent100 200 Absent101 208 Absent106 217 Low113 237 Absent128 268 Absent137 308 Absent139 347 Absent143 312 Absent147 302 Low152 310 Absent157 340 Low160 337 Low162 314 Absent164 360 Absent168 364 Absent171 362 Absent

Castleroan-e3909

79


Sample Context Seeds172 355 Absent174 387 Low179 391 Low181 389 Absent182 385 Absent186 400 Low190 409 Absent193 416 Absent


80

Tabl

e2:

Iden

tified

pla

ntre

mai

nsfr

omC

astle

roan

,Co�

Tip

pera

ry(E

3909

)

Con

text

type

pit

pit

pit

pit

pit

pit

post-

hole

pit

post-

hole

post-

hole

pit

Slot

tr

ench

post-

hole

Cut

882

100

170

189

191

227

280

328

350

386

351

401

Con

text

3483

9216

918

118

621

730

234

033

738

739

140

0

Sam

ple

1342

4882

9092

106

147

157

160

174

179

186

Haz

elnu

t she

ll fra

gmen

ts (C

orylu

s ave

llana

L.)

11

147

28

27

1

121

1H

ulled

bar

ley

grai

ns (H

orde

um v

ulga

re L

.)

1

1

Barle

y/W

heat

(Hor

deum

/Trit

icum

) gra

in

1

Inde

term

inat

e cer

eal g

rain

s (C

eral

ia)

1

1

W

eed

seed

s

1

Poss

ible

wee

d se

ed

1

Education

Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)