Archaeological Report - Clash, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report

E3660 - Clash, Co. Tipperary

Bronze Age House

Eachtra Journal

July 2011


Co. Tipperary

Laois County Council and National Roads Authority

John Tierney

Clash

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

E no

:

:

Project:

Client:

E3660

John TierneyExcavation Director

Written by:

Bronze Age House

N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)

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]


ClashCo. Tipperary

Excavation Director

John Tierney

Written By

John Tierney

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

© 2011 The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond

Printed in Ireland

i

Table of ContentsSummary��iii

Acknowledgements�� iv

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)�� 6

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

5 SiteLocationandTopography�� 7

6 Excavationmethodology�� 9

7 Excavationresults�� 9

8 Discussion�� 21

9 References��22

Appendix1 Stratigraphicreport��23

Appendix2 SiteMatrix�� 39

Appendix3 Groupandsubgroups��40

Appendix4 Plantremains��46

Appendix5 Lithicsreport��49

ii

List of FiguresFigure1: PortionofmapofIrelandshowingtherouteoftheN7CastletowntoNenagh(Derrin-

sallaghtoBallintotty)RoadScheme(Contract1)�� 2

Figure2: DiscoveryseriesOrdnancesurvetmapshowingtherouteoftheN7CastletowntoNenagh(DerrinsallaghtoBallintotty)RoadScheme(Contract1)andthelocationofallexcavationsites�� 5

Figure3: PortionoftheIsteditionOrdnanceSurveyMapOF47showingthelocationofClash�� 8

Figure4: LocationandextentofClashE3660ontheN7CastletowntoNenagh��10

Figure5: Post-excavationplanofClashE3660�� 11

Figure6: Post-excavationplanoftheBronzeAgehouseatClash�� 14

Figure7: SectionsofC�33,C�36,C�31,C�3andC�52�� 15

List of PlatesPlate1: AerialviewofClash,notetheOllatrimRiverinthemiddlegroundandtheexcavation

atParkE3659inthebackground�� 7

Plate2: ViewofareaofexcavationatClashfromwest,notetheareaoftheBronzeAgehouseonthesouthernedgeoftheareaofexcavation�� 12

Plate3: Post-excavationofpost-holeC�8�� 13

Plate4: Post-excavationofpost-holeC�18�� 13

Plate5: Mid-excavationofpitC�36�� 17

Plate6: Mid-excavationofpitC�10�� 17

Plate7: Mid-excavationofpitC�23��18

Plate8: ViewofflintbladeE3660:1:1��20

List of TablesTable1:Dimensionsoftheouterwallofthestructure�� 12

Table2:Dimensionsoftheinnerwallofthestructure��16

Table3:Dimensionsofthefeaturesintheinteriorofthestructure��16

Table4:Dimensionsoffeaturesinproximitytothestructure��16

Table5:Dimensionsofnon-archaeologicalfeatures�� 19

Table6:Radiocarbondates�� 19

Clash-E3660

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http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3660-clash-co-tipperary/

SummaryThe excavation of the site at Clash comprised a truncated Bronze Age house dating to the Late Bronze Age. The structure was defined by a double ring of post-holes, the inner ring was concentric with the outer ring, but neither ring was complete. The internal diameter of the complete structure was 6.2 m. The entrance to the house faced east-northeast and measured 1.2 m in width. A small pit and four stake-holes were located centrally in the structure.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh Site name ClashE no. E3660Site director John TierneyTownland ClashParish BallymackeyCounty TipperaryBarony Upper OrmondOS Map Sheet No. TN22National Grid Reference 199051 180559

issUE 11: EaChtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 arChaEologiCal ExCavation rEport

iv

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 Sen-ior Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer was John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation manager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John Sunderland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist anal-ysis was carried out by Mary Dillon and Penny Johnston and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.

Clash-E3660

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

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).

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).

A possible early medieval enclosure and associated road way was recorded at Killeisk E3587. A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774.

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

Clash-E3660

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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 newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661.

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.

5 Site Location and TopographyThe site at Clash 1 was located c. 300m to the west of the Ollatrim River (Plate 1). The land was in pasture and sloped to the river. The extensive prehistoric and medieval site at Park E3659 was located on the eastern bank of the Ollatrim River.

Plate1: AerialviewofClash,notetheOllatrimRiverinthemiddlegroundandtheexcavationatParkE3659inthebackground�

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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 features were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and mean-ingful 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 as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method state-ments for excavation licences.

The site was excavated from 8 September 2008 to the 22 September 2008. Only areas within the LMA (lands made available) were resolved. The full extent of the area of exca-vation measured 3400 m sq (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 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 resultsThe partial remains of a Bronze Age structure were recorded in the south-eastern corner of the area of excavation, on the edge of the LMA. The features were grouped in an area measuring 10 m sq. A ditch, orientated south-west – north-east bisected the area of the site. There were a group of furrows located to the west of the ditch and orientated in the same direction. Eight features of uncertain date were scattered across the area of the ex-cavation (Figure 5, plate 2).

The Structure A truncated house was identified in the south-eastern area of the excavation at Clash. It was defined by a double ring of post-holes (Figure 6), the inner ring was concentric with the outer ring, but neither ring was complete. The internal diameter of the complete struc-ture was 6.1 m and it would have enclosed an area of 29.2 m2 if the circuit was complete. The entrance to the house, between two slot trenches, faced east-northeast and measured 1.2 m in width.

The outer wall of the structure comprised four post-holes (C.8, C.31, C.33 and C.56) and two slot trenches (C.28 and C.52). The post-holes were located on the south-eastern side only, representing c. 90 degrees of the total possible circumference of the outer wall. The slot trenches were situated on either side of the entrance set back slightly from the ring of posts.

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Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Feature8 0.42 x 0.3 x 0.35 Post-hole28 0.60 x 1.10 x 0.03 Slot trench31 0.34 x 0.32 x 0.8 Post-hole33 0.4 x 0.35 x 0.38 Post-hole52 2.23 x 0.40 x 0.11 Slot trench56 0.32 x 0.28 x 0.21 Post-hole

Table1:Dimensionsoftheouterwallofthestructure

The interval between the post-holes was irregular. Post-holes C.33 and C.56 were lo-cated adjacent to one another, but the gap between C.31 and C.33 was more that 4 m. The post-holes were quite substantial in size (Figure 7, plate 3) but the posts themselves may have been removed as no post-pipes were recorded. Packing stones survived in post-hole C.8. The slot trenches were located on either side of the area of the entrance. The slot trench C.28 was very shallow and truncated. The second slot had survived to a depth of 0.11 m.

Small quantities of charred seeds were recorded in the fills of post-holes C.8 and C.56. A Late Bronze Age date cal BC 1111-1103 1085-1064 1056-920 (UB 12360) was returned from post-hole C.31.

The inner wall comprised four post-holes (C.18, C.25, C.45 and C.48), two pits (C.10 and C.36) and a slot trench C.47. The post-holes were located on the south-eastern, north-eastern and north-northwestern sides, representing more than 180 degrees of the total possible circumference of the inner wall. The two post-holes C.45 and C.48 flank the en-

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trance. Large stones were recorded in the fills of two of the post-holes and the slot trench (C.18, C.45 and C.49) (Plate 4). They probably functioned as packing stones. Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type10 0.63 x 0.61 x 0.28 Pit18 0.45 x 0.4 x 0.27 Post25 0.4 x 0.38 x 0.15 Post36 1.36 x 0.62 x 0.2 Pit48 0.17 x 0.12 x 0.37 Post45 0.62 x 0.3 x 0.45 Possible double post47 1.35 x 0.85 x 0.17 Truncated slot trench

Table2:Dimensionsoftheinnerwallofthestructure

Small quantities of charred plant remains were recorded in the fills of the two pits (C.10 and C.36) (Plates 5 and 6). A Late Bronze Age date cal BC 895-868 862-855 850-800 (UB 12361) was returned from the pit C.36.

Four stakeholes (C.35, C.40, C.41 and C.46) and a pit C.23 were located in the central interior of the structure (Plate 7). Small quantities of charred plant remains were recorded in the fill of pit C.23.

Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type

23 0.45 x 0.45 x 0.35 Post-hole

35 0.11 x 0.11 x 0.11 Stake-hole

41 0.10 x 0.09 x 0.12 Stake-hole

40 0.10 x 0.07 x 0.12 Stake-hole

46 0.09 x 0.08 x 0.12 Stake-hole

Table3:Dimensionsofthefeaturesintheinteriorofthestructure

Three stake-holes C. 9, C.88 and C.87, a pit C.30 and two irregular features (C.81 and C.93) were located outside the area of the structure. The pit was located close to and north of the entrance. Two of the stake-holes C.88 and C.87 were located adjacent to one another 5.5 m northeast of the entrance. The two irregular features were located 1 m southeast of them. The third stake-hole was located 0.5 m west of the external circuit of the outer wall of the structure.Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type

9 0.08 x 0.06 x 0.05 Stake-hole

10 0.63 x 0.61 x 0.28 Pit

81 0.80 x 0.22 x 0.18 Irregular

87 0.12 x 0.08 x 0.22 Stake-hole

88 0.09 x 0.08 x 0.18 Stake-hole

93 0.54 x 0.21 x 0.07 Irregular

Table4:Dimensionsoffeaturesinproximitytothestructure�

Clash-E3660

17


Plate5: Mid-excavationofpitC�36�



18

Modern agricultural featuresA field drain (C.3), aligned northeast-southwest bisected and extended beyond the area of excavation (Figure 4). It was marked on the 25 inch (1897-1913) OS map sheet TN22. The furrows located on the western side of the ditch are contemporary with the ditch.

The ditch measured 1.26 m in width and 0.27 m in depth (Figure 7). Two sherds of post-medieval pottery, cream ware, 18th/19th century in date, and transfer print ware, 19th/20th century in date, were recovered from the ditch.

Five of the furrows (C.58, C.67, C.74, C.76 and C.92) were located in the south-west corner of the site. They were all aligned northeast - southwest and were similar in length, width and depth. A single furrow (C.79) was located approximately 21.5 m north of these furrows. It shared the same alignment as the other furrows and the ditch.

Features of uncertain dateThere were an additional eight features recorded in the area of the excavation. There were scattered across the area of the excavation and were all, with the exception of C.16, located on the western side of the ditch C.3. Two (C.55 and C.69) were located in close proximity to the furrows. The majority were shallow in depth and varied in terms of size and shape. The fills were brown sandy silts and included charcoal. They may have been associated with modern agriculture. No artefacts or ecofacts were recovered from any of the features.

Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)

11 0.42 x 0.46 x 0.10


Clash-E3660

19


16 0.50 x 0.55 x 0.15

55 1.10 x 0.46 x 0.08

69 0.58 x 0.45 x 0.15

70 0.37 x 0.3 x 0.15

71 0.24 x 0.21 x 0.09

83 0.55 x 0.21 x 0.09

84 0.57 x 0.56 x 0.25

Table5:Dimensionsofnon-archaeologicalfeatures

Plant remainsThe plant remains were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 3). Seeds were recorded in five samples from three pits (C.36, C.23 and C.10) and two post-holes (C.8 and C.56). In all cases the quantities of plant remains recovered were small, with just 15 grains of ce-reals found in total from the site. Where identifiable, the cereals were barley and it is likely that these were brought to site as foodstuffs. Other seeds included wild plants such as Black bindweed (from the dock family) and flax. Both of these plant remains could have been collected either as food or as accidental inclusions gathered with the crop plants.

LithicsThe lithics were examined by Farina Sternke (Appendix 4). A single flint blade (E3660:1:1) was recovered from the topsoil in the area of the Bronze Age house (Plate 8). It dates to the first half of the Neolithic.

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 Context Material Un-calibrated date

δ 13 C 2 sigma calibration

Period

UB-12360

C.32 Salix/populus charcoal from post-hole C.31

cal BC 1039-1033 1029-973 957-939

-23.3 cal BC 1111-1103 1085-1064 1056-920

Middle-Late Bronze Age

UB-12361

C.38 Prunus charcoal from pit C.36

cal BC 835-806

-19.1 cal BC 895-868 862-855 850-800

Late Bronze Age

Table6:Radiocarbondates


20

Plate8: View of flint bladeE3660:1:1�

Clash-E3660

21


8 DiscussionEvidence of three phase of activity was recorded at Clash. The site is located 300 m, on a saddle, to the west of the Ollatrim River. An extensive archaeological complex dating to the prehistoric and medieval periods has been recorded in Park townland, on the eastern bank of the Ollatrim.

A flint blade ((E3660:1:1) dating to the first half of the Neolithic was recovered from the topsoil. None of the features recorded on site could be assigned to the Neolithic period.

The main phase of activity at the site dated to the Late Bronze Age. The incomplete remains of a structure was located in the south-eastern corner of the site on the edge of the LMA. It was defined by a double ring of post-holes but neither ring was complete. The internal diameter of the complete structure was 6.1 m and it would have enclosed an area of 29.2 m2 if the circuit was complete. The entrance to the house faced east-northeast.

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 nine Bronze Age houses on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh will further increase this number. Radiocarbon dates are pending for eight of the nine structures on the N7 from the townlands of Castleroan, Derrybane, Drumbaun, Drumroe and Moat-quarter, the Late Bronze Age structure at Clash is the only definite to date. The numbers of Bronze Age structures may have to be revised on receipt of the dates. There is a diversity in house size, internal pattern and construction materials. 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 examples 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 excavated on the N7 were constructed along the principle of axial symmetry. This means that house seemed to be arranged on a sort of 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, including the one at Clash, may have originally been constructed along the same principles.

The plant remains recovered at Clash are comparable to other domestic sites, for ex-ample Chancellorsland, Curraghatoor and Ballyvellish, in Co. Tipperary. At all of these sites barley was the most common Bronze Age crop type and at many retrieval was spo-radic and poor.

The final phase of occupation at Clash was in the modern period and was character-

ised by a field boundary and furrows.


22

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 Architec-tural Heritage of North Tipperary. Government of Ireland.

O’Conor, K.D. (1998) The Archaeology of Medieval Rural Settlement in Ireland, Discov-ery 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.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.


23

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ay b

e rel

ated

to C

0005

and

C

0006

.

18/0

9/20

07K

R

14St

akeh

ole

Fill

0009

Lo

ose,

yello

w/b

row

n sa

nd. O

cca-

siona

l inc

lusio

ns o

f cha

rcoa

l. 0.

08 x

0.

06 x

0.

05

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le C

0009

. Not

clo

se

to a

ny re

late

d str

uctu

ral f

eatu

res.

19/0

9/20

07D

OS

15

VO

ID

16

Pit C

ut

0020

Ova

l in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is g

radu

al. S

ides

: ge

ntle

and

smoo

th o

n N

; gen

tle a

nd

conc

ave o

n S;

gen

tle a

nd ir

regu

lar o

n E;

gen

tle a

nd c

onve

x on

W. B

reak

of

slope

bas

e is i

mpe

rcep

tible.

Bas

e is

oval

in p

lan;

tape

red

roun

ded

poin

t in

pro

file.

0.50

x

0.55

x

0.15

Cut

of a

pos

sible

pit,

may

hav

e for

med

due

to

nat

ural

fact

ors b

ut fa

irly

regu

lar i

n sh

ape

18/0

9/20

07AC

H

17Fi

ll00

11

Firm

, mid

bro

wn

silty

sand

. Occ

a-sio

nal m

ediu

m su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. M

oder

ate s

mal

l sub

-roun

ded

stone

s. M

oder

ate s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

0.42

x

0.46

x

0.08

Sing

le fil

l of c

ut C

0011

, Mos

t lik

ely

natu

rally

dep

osite

d m

ater

ial.

Cha

rcoa

l in

clusio

ns a

re in

dica

tive o

f pos

sible

burn

t m

ater

ial -

per

haps

in si

tu b

urni

ng o

f tre

e ro

ots.

18/0

9/20

07M

CH


26

18C

ut

0019

Sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is sh

arp.

Si

des:

mod

erat

e and

irre

gula

r on

N;

vert

ical

and

irre

gula

r/und

ercu

t on

S an

d E;

stee

p/ve

rtic

al a

nd ir

regu

lar

on W

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe b

ase i

s gra

dual

on

N, N

E an

d N

W; s

harp

else

whe

re.

Base

is ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an a

nd p

rofil

e.

0.45

x

0.4

x 0.

27

Cut

of a

pro

babl

e non

-arc

haeo

logi

cal f

ea-

ture

. Pos

sible

geol

ogic

al b

oreh

ole.

18

/09/

2007

DO

S

19Fi

ll00

18

Soft,

fria

ble l

ight

gre

yish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e, m

ediu

m

and

coar

se a

ngul

ar p

ebbl

es. F

requ

ent

smal

l ang

ular

ston

es. T

wo

med

ium

an

d tw

o la

rge (

0.48

x 0

.29

x 0.

06

m) (

0.35

x 0

.29

x 0.

05 m

) ang

ular

sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal c

harc

oal f

lecks

.

0.45

x

0.4

x 0.

27

Fill

of c

ut C

0018

. Pos

sible

rede

posit

ed m

a-te

rial f

rom

geo

logi

cal b

oreh

ole.

May

hav

e be

en d

umpe

d.

18/0

9/20

07D

OS

20Pi

t Fill

0016

Fi

rm, m

id b

row

n sil

ty sa

nd. O

c-ca

siona

l fin

e sub

-roun

ded

pebb

les.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

0.50

x

0.15

x

0.15

Sing

le fil

l of p

ossib

le pi

t cut

C00

16. N

atu-

rally

dep

osite

d co

ntex

t. So

me c

harc

oal

inclu

sions

pos

sibly

indi

cate

hum

an a

ctiv

ity

- bur

ning

in-si

tu (t

ree r

oots?

).

18/0

9/20

07AC

H

21Pi

t Fill

0010

St

iff, m

id y

ello

wish

bro

wn

silty

cla

y. M

oder

ate s

mal

l ang

ular

and

sub-

angu

lar s

tone

s. M

oder

ate c

harc

oal

fleck

s. M

oder

ate f

lecks

and

occ

a-sio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

0.63

x

0.61

x

0.16

Con

text

C00

21 is

the p

rimar

y fil

l of p

it cu

t C00

10. M

ay h

ave f

orm

ed n

atur

ally,

al-

thou

gh th

e pre

senc

e of r

edep

osite

d na

tura

l an

d la

yer o

f bur

nt m

ater

ial C

0022

abo

ve

may

indi

cate

that

it w

as fo

rmed

thro

ugh

back

fillin

g in

to p

it.

18/0

9/20

07RW

22Pi

t Fill

0010

St

iff, d

ark

grey

ish b

row

n sil

ty c

lay.

Mod

erat

e sm

all a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes.

Freq

uent

flec

ks a

nd

smal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l. M

oder

ate

fleck

s and

occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f bu

rnt c

lay.

0.63

x

0.61

x

0.08

Con

text

C00

22 is

the s

econ

dary

fill

of

pit c

ut C

0010

. For

med

thro

ugh

hum

an

activ

ity -

burn

t mat

eria

l pro

babl

y de

posit

ed

into

top

of p

it. L

ower

fill

does

n’t a

ppea

r to

be h

eat a

ffect

ed, o

ther

than

som

e cha

rcoa

l an

d bu

rnt c

lay

inclu

sions

(pro

babl

y fro

m

C00

22).

Burn

t cla

y in

C00

22 o

ccur

s as o

c-ca

siona

l flec

ks a

nd b

lobs

rath

er th

at a

laye

r.

19/0

9/20

07RW


27

23Pi

t Cut

00

27C

ircul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op is

shar

p.

Side

s are

stee

p an

d sm

ooth

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe b

ase i

s sha

rp. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in

plan

; poi

nted

in p

rofil

e.

0.45

x

0.45

x

0.35

Cut

of p

it, p

ossib

ly n

ot b

otto

med

due

to

diff

icul

ty o

f exc

avat

ion.

May

be r

elat

ed to

cu

t C00

10 -

simila

r fill

s, siz

e and

shap

e.

18/0

9/20

07R

K

24Fi

ll00

08

Firm

, mid

gre

yish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l sm

all a

nd m

oder

ate l

arge

su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes.

Mod

erat

e sm

all

piec

es o

f cha

rcoa

l.

0.42

x

0.30

x

0.35

Sing

le fil

l of p

ossib

le po

stho

le cu

t C00

08.

Con

text

repr

esen

ts fil

l afte

r pos

t was

re

mov

ed fr

om c

ut, t

here

fore

no

post

pipe

is

pres

ent.

Dep

osit

may

be a

dum

p of

m

ater

ial u

sed

to le

vel o

ut th

e cut

. Sto

ne

inclu

sions

may

hav

e bee

n us

ed to

stab

ilise

th

e pos

t.

20/0

9/20

07D

K

25C

ut

0026

Irre

gula

r in

plan

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

gra

dual

. Sid

es: m

oder

ate

and

irreg

ular

on

N; m

oder

ate a

nd

stepp

ed o

n S.

Bas

e is s

ub-c

ircul

ar in

pl

an; f

lat i

n pr

ofile

.

0.4

x 0.

38 x

0.

15

Con

text

C00

25 is

an

irreg

ular

cut

, pos

sibly

re

pres

entin

g a h

ollo

w in

to w

hich

a bu

rnt

depo

sit w

as d

umpe

d.

19/0

9/20

07D

OS

26Fi

ll00

25

Soft,

dar

k bl

uish

bro

wn

stony

silt.

O

ccas

iona

l fin

e, m

ediu

m a

nd c

oars

e an

gula

r peb

bles

. Fre

quen

t sm

all

angu

lar s

tone

s. M

oder

ate s

mal

l and

m

ediu

m p

iece

s of c

harc

oal.

0.4

x 0.

38 x

0.

15

Con

text

C00

26 is

the u

pper

fill

of a

n irr

egul

ar c

ut o

r hol

low

C00

25. B

urnt

mat

e-ria

l ind

icat

es h

uman

act

ivity

- po

ssib

ly a

du

mpe

d de

posit

.

19/0

9/20

07D

OS

27Pi

t Fill

0023

St

rong

ly c

emen

ted,

mid

yel

low

ish

brow

n sil

ty sa

nd. M

oder

ate m

ediu

m

and

occa

siona

l coa

rse s

ub-a

ngul

ar

and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les.

Mod

er-

ate s

mal

l and

occ

asio

nal m

ediu

m

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal f

lecks

and

smal

l pie

ces o

f ch

arco

al.

0.45

x

0.45

x

0.38

Con

text

C00

27 is

the o

nly

fill o

f pit

cut

C00

23. M

etho

d of

dep

ositi

on c

ould

be

natu

ral o

r due

to h

uman

fact

ors.

C00

27 is

po

ssib

ly re

late

d to

cut

C00

10, C

0021

and

C

0022

.

18/0

9/20

07R

K

28C

ut

0037

Irre

gula

r in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

and

bas

e is

impe

rcep

tible.

Sid

es a

re g

entle

and

sm

ooth

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in p

lan;

flat

in

pro

file.

0.60

x

1.10

x

0.03

Con

text

C00

28 m

ost p

roba

bly

repr

esen

ts

a thi

n la

yer o

f mat

eria

l rat

her t

han

a cut

. Po

ssib

ly a

natu

rally

occ

urrin

g ho

llow.

Bu

rnt m

ater

ial i

n th

e fill

is su

gges

tive o

f hu

man

act

ivity

.

19/0

9/20

07K

R


28

29Fi

ll00

30

Soft,

mid

gre

yish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. M

oder

ate f

ine s

ub-a

ngul

ar a

nd

sub-

roun

ded;

and

freq

uent

med

ium

su

b-an

gula

r peb

bles

. Fre

quen

t flec

ks

of c

harc

oal.

0.75

x

0.70

x

0.11

Con

text

C00

29 is

the o

nly

fill w

ithin

C

0030

. Hum

anly

der

ived

mat

eria

l dep

os-

ited

with

in a

natu

ral d

epre

ssio

n.

19/0

9/20

07LJ

30C

ut

0029

Circ

ular

in p

lan.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p is

impe

rcep

tible.

Sid

es a

re g

entle

and

co

ncav

e. Ba

se is

ova

l in

plan

; con

cave

in

pro

file.

0.75

x

0.70

x

0.11

Con

text

C00

30 is

mos

t pro

babl

y a n

atur

al

depr

essio

n, v

ery

shal

low

in d

epth

. Cha

rcoa

l in

clusio

ns in

fill

C00

29 in

dica

te h

uman

ac

tivity

, and

may

repr

esen

t a d

ump

of

mat

eria

l rat

her t

han

burn

ing

in si

tu.

20/0

9/20

07LJ

31Po

stho

le C

ut

0032

Circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is sh

arp.

Si

des:

vert

ical

and

und

ercu

t on

W;

vert

ical

and

irre

gula

r else

whe

re.

Base

is ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an; c

onca

ve in

pr

ofile

.

0.34

x

0.32

x

0.8

Con

text

C00

31 is

the c

ut o

f a p

ossib

le po

stho

le. It

is v

ery

deep

and

stra

ight

side

d.

Exca

vate

d as

far a

s pos

sible

alth

ough

bas

e w

as n

ot re

ache

d. S

imila

r in

appe

aran

ce to

po

stho

les C

0008

and

C00

33.

19/0

9/20

07BV

32Po

stho

le Fi

ll00

31

Firm

, mid

yel

low

ish b

row

n sa

ndy,

pebb

ly si

lt. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e ang

ular

an

d su

b-ro

unde

d; m

oder

ate m

e-di

um a

nd o

ccas

iona

l coa

rse a

ngul

ar

and

sub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es. O

cca-

siona

l sm

all a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes.

Mod

erat

e flec

ks a

nd o

cca-

siona

l sm

all p

iece

s of c

harc

oal.

0.34

x

0.32

x

0.8

Con

text

C00

32 is

the s

ingl

e fill

of p

ossib

le po

stho

le C

0031

. Pos

sible

dum

p of

mat

eria

l to

leve

l out

cut

follo

win

g re

mov

al o

f pos

t.

19/0

9/20

07BV

33Po

stho

le C

ut

0043

Circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

cor-

ners

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

gr

adua

l. Si

des a

re st

eep

and

conc

ave.

Ba

se is

sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan;

flat

in

prof

ile.

0.40

x

0.35

x

0.38

Con

text

C00

33 is

the c

ut o

f a p

ossib

le po

stho

le. C

harc

oal i

nclu

sions

in th

e fill

C

0043

are

indi

cativ

e of h

uman

impa

ct

in th

e are

a. S

tone

inclu

sions

may

repr

e-se

nt p

ossib

le pa

ckin

g m

ater

ial f

or a

post.

Si

mila

r in

func

tion

and

close

in p

roxi

mity

to

cut

C00

08.

20/0

9/20

07AC

H

34St

akeh

ole

Fill

0035

W

eakl

y ce

men

ted,

ligh

t gre

y sa

ndy

silt.

Mod

erat

e flec

ks a

nd sm

all p

iece

s of

cha

rcoa

l.

0.11

x

0.11

x

0.11

Fill

of st

akeh

ole c

ut C

0035

. Rel

ated

to

near

by st

akeh

ole c

uts C

0042

, C00

46 a

nd

C00

41.

21/0

9/20

07R

K

35St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

34C

ircul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op a

nd b

ase

is sh

arp.

Bas

e is c

ircul

ar in

pla

n;

tape

red

shar

p po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.11

x

0.11

x

0.11

Cut

of a

stak

ehol

e, fil

led w

ith C

0034

. R

elat

ed to

nea

rby

stake

hole

cuts

C00

42,

C00

46 a

nd C

0041

.

21/0

9/20

07R

K


29

36Pi

t Cut

00

38O

val i

n pl

an w

ith ro

unde

d co

r-ne

rs. B

reak

of s

lope

top

and

base

is

grad

ual o

n N

and

S; i

mpe

rcep

-tib

le on

E a

nd W

. Sid

es: s

teep

and

co

ncav

e on

N; m

oder

ate a

nd c

onca

ve

on S

; gen

tle a

nd sm

ooth

on

E; g

entle

an

d co

nvex

on

W. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in

plan

; con

cave

in p

rofil

e.

1.36

x

0.62

x

0.20

Cut

of p

ossib

le pi

t, re

gula

r sha

pe c

ould

su

gges

t hum

an a

ctiv

ity. F

ill C

0038

may

be

a dum

ped

depo

sit.

20/0

9/20

07M

CH

37Fi

ll00

28

Firm

, wea

kly

cem

ente

d lig

ht b

row

n sil

ty sa

nd. I

nclu

sions

of f

ine s

ub-

angu

lar p

ebbl

es. O

ccas

iona

l sm

all

angu

lar s

tone

s. M

oder

ate f

lecks

, and

oc

casio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

1.10

x

0.6

x 0.

03

Con

text

C00

37 is

pro

babl

y a t

hin

laye

r of

hum

anly

der

ived

mat

eria

l. C

ut C

0028

is

mos

t lik

ely a

natu

ral h

ollo

w.

19/0

9/20

07K

R

38Fi

ll00

36

Firm

, mid

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

c-ca

siona

l fin

e sub

-roun

ded

pebb

les.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l sub

-ang

ular

ston

es.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

1.36

x

0.62

x

0.19

Fill

of c

ut C

0036

. Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns in

fil

l are

indi

cativ

e of h

uman

act

ivity

- po

s-sib

ly d

umpe

d m

ater

ial.

19/0

9/20

07M

CH

39

VO

ID

40

Stak

ehol

e C

ut

0042

Circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

and

bas

e is

shar

p. S

ides

: sha

rp a

nd st

eppe

d on

N; s

teep

and

smoo

th el

sew

here

. Ba

se is

circ

ular

in p

lan;

tape

red

blun

t po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.10

x

0.07

x

0.12

Cut

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le th

at h

as b

een

dist

urbe

d by

root

act

ion.

Rel

ated

to n

earb

y sta

keho

le cu

ts C

0035

, C00

41, C

0046

.

19/0

9/20

07R

K

41St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

44Su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op a

nd b

ase

is sh

arp.

Sid

es: v

ertic

al a

nd sm

ooth

on

S; s

teep

and

smoo

th el

sew

here

. Ba

se is

sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan;

tape

red

roun

ded

poin

t in

prof

ile.

0.1

x 0.

09 x

0.

12

Cut

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le, a

s ind

icat

ed b

y re

gula

r sha

pe a

nd ta

pere

d ba

se. H

owev

er,

ther

e are

seve

ral r

oot-h

oles

in th

e vic

inity

, so

this

may

be a

nat

ural

feat

ure.

May

be

rela

ted

to p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

35;

and

feat

ures

C00

23 a

nd C

0010

.

19/0

9/20

07RW

42St

akeh

ole

Fill

0040

So

ft, m

id g

rey

sand

y sil

t. M

oder

ate

fleck

s, sm

all a

nd m

ediu

m p

iece

s of

char

coal

.

0.10

x

0.07

x

0.12

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

40.

Rel

ated

to n

earb

y sta

keho

le cu

ts C

0035

, C

0041

, C00

46.

19/0

9/20

07R

K


30

43Po

stho

le Fi

ll00

33

Firm

, mid

gre

yish

bro

wn

silty

sand

. In

clusio

ns o

f fin

e sub

-ang

ular

peb

-bl

es. O

ccas

iona

l med

ium

sub-

angu

-la

r sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f ch

arco

al.

0.40

x

0.35

x

0.38

Fill

of p

ossib

le po

stho

le cu

t C00

33.

Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns a

re in

dica

tive o

f hu-

man

impa

ct in

the a

rea -

pos

sible

dum

p of

m

ater

ial.

Med

ium

size

d sto

nes i

n fil

l may

ha

ve a

cted

as p

ossib

le pa

ckin

g m

ater

ial f

or

post.

May

be r

elat

ed to

con

text

C00

24, f

ill

of c

ut C

0008

.

20/0

9/20

07AC

H

44St

akeh

ole

Fill

0041

So

ft, d

ark

grey

ish b

row

n sa

ndy

silt.

Occ

asio

nal c

oars

e peb

bles

. Fre

quen

t fle

cks a

nd o

ccas

iona

l sm

all p

iece

s of

char

coal

.

0.1

x 0.

09 x

0.

12

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

41. M

ay

be re

late

d to

pos

sible

stake

hole

cut C

0035

; an

d fe

atur

es C

0023

and

C00

10.

19/0

9/20

07RW

45C

ut

0050

Irre

gula

r in

plan

. Cor

ners

are

squa

re

on S

and

W; r

ound

ed el

sew

here

. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

o is

shar

p. S

ides

: ste

ep/v

ertic

al a

nd ir

regu

lar/u

nder

cut

on W

; ste

ep/v

ertic

al a

nd ir

regu

lar

on N

E; st

eep

and

irreg

ular

on

SE;

vert

ical

and

smoo

th o

n SW

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe b

ase i

s gra

dual

on

N a

nd N

E;

shar

p el

sew

here

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in

plan

; poi

nted

in p

rofil

e.

0.62

x

0.3

x 0.

45

Con

text

C00

45 is

a po

ssib

le cu

t, ho

w-ev

er, t

he h

ighl

y irr

egul

ar p

lan

and

prof

ile

stron

gly

sugg

ests

a nat

ural

form

atio

n.

Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns in

dica

te p

ossib

le hu

-m

an a

ctiv

ity in

the a

rea.

20/0

9/20

07D

OS

46St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

51Su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op a

nd b

ase

is sh

arp.

Sid

es a

re st

eep

and

smoo

th.

Base

is o

val i

n pl

an; t

aper

ed p

oint

in

prof

ile.

0.09

x

0.08

x

0.12

Con

text

C00

46 is

the c

ut o

f a st

akeh

ole.

R

elat

ed to

nea

rby

stake

hole

s, C

0040

, C

0035

, C00

41.

20/0

9/20

07R

K

47C

ut

0049

Irre

gula

r in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is im

per-

cept

ible.

Sid

es: v

ertic

al a

nd sm

ooth

on

N; g

entle

and

con

cave

else

whe

re.

Base

is ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an; c

onca

ve in

pr

ofile

.

1.35

x

0.85

x

0.17

Fill

of p

ossib

le na

tura

l fea

ture

/tree

-bol

e.

Occ

asio

nal l

arge

ston

es in

dica

te p

ossib

le du

mp

of m

ater

ial i

nto

cut.

20/0

9/20

07K

R

48St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

54Su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op a

nd b

ase

is sh

arp.

Sid

es a

re st

eep

and

irreg

u-la

r. Ba

se is

irre

gula

r in

plan

; tap

ered

ro

unde

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

. Top

is

orien

tate

d N

from

bas

e.

0.17

x

0.12

x

0.37

Cut

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le/dr

iven

pos

t. M

ay

also

be a

nat

ural

feat

ure d

ue to

irre

gula

rity

of si

des a

nd n

earb

y ro

ot a

ctio

n. R

elat

ed to

ne

arby

pos

sible

stake

hole

s C00

41, C

0042

, C

0035

and

C00

46.

20/0

9/20

07RW


31

49Fi

ll00

47

Firm

, mid

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

cca-

siona

l fin

e ang

ular

peb

bles

. Occ

a-sio

nal l

arge

ang

ular

ston

es.

1.35

x

0.85

x

0.17

Fill

of p

ossib

le na

tura

l fea

ture

C00

47.

Ston

e inc

lusio

ns m

ay in

dica

te d

umpe

d m

ater

ial f

or th

e pur

pose

of l

evel

ling

out t

he

feat

ure.

May

be r

elat

ed to

cut

C00

52.

20/0

9/20

07K

R

50Fi

ll00

45

Loos

e, fri

able,

ligh

t gre

yish

bro

wn

silty

(25%

), sa

ndy

(15%

) sto

nes

(60%

). O

ccas

iona

l fin

e and

med

ium

an

gula

r; an

d co

arse

ang

ular

and

su

b-an

gula

r peb

bles

. Mod

erat

e sm

all

angu

lar a

nd su

b-an

gula

r; an

d fre

-qu

ent m

ediu

m a

ngul

ar, s

ub-a

ngul

ar

and

sub-

roun

ded

stone

s. T

hree

larg

e sto

nes -

ang

ular

(0.2

5 x

0.2

x 0.

08

m),

sub-

angu

lar (

0.24

x 0

.2 x

0.0

4 m

) and

sub-

roun

ded

(0.2

6 x

0.16

x

0.11

m).

Occ

asio

nal c

harc

oal f

lecks

.

0.62

x

0.3

x 0.

45

Sing

le fil

l of c

onte

xt C

0045

, a p

ossib

le cu

t. Pr

obab

ly fo

rmed

nat

ural

ly. A

nim

al b

ur-

row

s are

evi

dent

alo

ng th

e sid

es a

nd at

the

base

of t

he c

ut.

20/0

9/20

07D

OS

51St

akeh

ole

Fill

0046

So

ft, m

id g

rey

sand

y sil

t. M

oder

ate

fleck

s and

smal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l. 0.

09 x

0.

08 x

0.

12

Fill

of st

akeh

ole c

ut C

0046

. Rel

ated

to

near

by st

akeh

oles

, C00

40, C

0035

, C00

41.

20/0

9/20

07R

K

52C

ut

0059

Line

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

r-ne

rs. B

reak

of s

lope

top

and

base

is

impe

rcep

tible.

Sid

es a

re g

entle

and

co

ncav

e. Ba

se is

irre

gula

r in

plan

; co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

2.23

x

0.40

x

0.11

Poss

ible

root

syste

m/d

ip in

nat

ural

fille

d by

hu

man

ly d

umpe

d m

ater

ial.

Som

e cha

rcoa

l in

clusio

ns a

re in

dica

tive o

f hum

an a

ctiv

ity.

In c

lose

pro

xim

ity to

con

text

C00

47.

20/0

9/20

07M

CH

53

VO

ID

54

Stak

ehol

e Fi

ll 00

48

Firm

, mid

redd

ish b

row

n cl

ayey

sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l coa

rse p

ebbl

es a

nd

char

coal

flec

ks.

0.17

x

0.12

x

0.37

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

48.

20/0

9/20

07RW

55C

ut

0062

Irre

gula

r in

plan

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

impe

rcep

tible

on N

E an

d SE

; gra

dual

on

SW a

nd N

W. S

ides

: ge

ntle

and

smoo

th o

n N

W a

nd S

W;

gent

le an

d irr

egul

ar o

n N

E an

d SE

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in p

lan;

flat

in

prof

ile.

1.10

x

0.46

x

0.08

Con

text

C00

55 is

the c

ut o

f a p

ossib

le na

tura

l fea

ture

. 24

/09/

2007

DK


32

56Po

stho

le C

ut

0061

Circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

cor-

ners

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

gr

adua

l. Si

des:

vert

ical

and

con

cave

on

SE;

ver

tical

and

smoo

th el

se-

whe

re. B

ase i

s circ

ular

in p

lan;

flat

in

pro

file.

0.32

x

0.28

x

0.31

Cut

of p

ossib

le po

stho

le. M

ay b

e rel

ated

to

post

hole

cuts

C00

33 a

nd C

0008

in c

lose

pr

oxim

ity.

21/0

9/20

07AC

H

57Fu

rrow

Fill

0058

So

ft, m

id b

row

n sa

ndy

silt.

Mod

er-

ate f

ine a

nd o

ccas

iona

l med

ium

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. Fr

eque

nt c

oars

e sub

-ang

ular

peb

bles

. M

oder

ate s

mal

l sub

-ang

ular

and

su

b-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

4.40

x

0.70

x

0.15

Fill

of a

furr

ow, c

ut C

0058

. Nat

ural

ly o

c-cu

rrin

g de

posit

ed m

ater

ial.

Rel

ated

to fi

lls

of o

ther

furr

ows i

n th

e are

a - C

0078

and

C

0077

.

21/0

9/20

07LJ

58Fu

rrow

Cut

00

57Li

near

in p

lan.

Cor

ners

are

squa

re

on N

E an

d N

W; r

ound

ed o

n SE

and

SW

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

gr

adua

l. Si

des a

re g

entle

and

smoo

th.

Base

is li

near

in p

lan;

con

cave

in

prof

ile.

4.40

x

0.70

x

0.15

Cut

of a

furr

ow. O

ne o

f thr

ee li

nes o

f fur

-ro

ws a

ll pa

ralle

l to

one a

noth

er. R

elat

ed to

ot

her f

urro

ws,

C00

67, C

0074

and

C00

76.

21/0

9/20

07LJ

59Fi

ll00

52

Firm

, dar

k br

own

sand

y sil

t. O

cca-

siona

l med

ium

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l sub

-ang

ular

ston

es.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pie

ces o

f cha

rcoa

l.

2.23

x

0.40

x

0.09

Fill

of c

ut C

0052

, a p

ossib

le na

tura

l fea

-tu

re. F

ill m

ay re

pres

ent a

dum

p of

mat

eria

l w

ithin

cut

. Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns a

re in

dica

-tiv

e of h

uman

influ

ence

. May

be r

elat

ed to

cu

t C00

47, w

hich

is in

clo

se p

roxi

mity

.

20/0

9/20

07M

CH

60

VO

ID

61

Post

hole

Fill

0056

Fi

rm, i

ndur

ated

, mid

bro

wn

silty

sa

nd. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e sub

-roun

ded

pebb

les.

Occ

asio

nal m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l pi

eces

of c

harc

oal.

0.32

x

0.28

x

0.31

Onl

y fil

l of p

ossib

le po

stho

le cu

t C00

56.

May

repr

esen

t a d

ump

of m

ater

ial i

nto

cut.

Ston

e inc

lusio

ns m

ay b

e rem

nant

s of

dist

urbe

d pa

ckin

g m

ater

ial.

Cha

rcoa

l is

indi

cativ

e of h

uman

inte

rfere

nce i

n th

e ar

ea. R

elat

ed to

nea

rby

post

hole

s C00

33

and

C00

08.

21/0

9/20

07AC

H

62Fi

ll00

55

Loos

e, m

id b

row

n sil

ty sa

nd. M

oder

-at

e sm

all a

nd m

ediu

m su

b-an

gula

r sto

nes.

1.10

x

0.46

x

0.08

Onl

y fil

l of c

ut C

0055

, a p

ossib

le na

tura

l fe

atur

e. Ve

ry sh

allo

w. M

ost l

ikely

dep

osite

d na

tura

lly -

poss

ibly

was

hed

in d

own

slope

.

24/0

9/20

07D

K

63

VO

ID

64

V

OID

65

VO

ID


33

66

VO

ID

67

Furr

ow C

ut

0068

Line

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op is

gra

dual

. Sid

es:

gent

le an

d irr

egul

ar o

n N

E; m

oder

-at

e and

irre

gula

r else

whe

re. B

reak

of

slope

bas

e is s

harp

on

NE;

gra

dual

el

sew

here

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in p

lan;

co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

1.5

x 0.

37 x

0.

1

Con

text

C00

67 is

the c

ut o

f a fu

rrow

. It i

s a c

ontin

uatio

n of

furr

ow c

ut C

0074

to th

e N

E.

21/0

9/20

07BV

68Fu

rrow

Fill

0067

So

ft, li

ght y

ello

wish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e sub

-ang

ular

, an

d m

ediu

m a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-an

gu-

lar p

ebbl

es.

1.5

x 0.

37 x

0.

1

Fill

of fu

rrow

cut

C00

67. T

his c

onte

xt

form

ed b

y na

tura

l fac

tors

- w

ashe

d in

to c

ut

dow

n slo

pe. R

elat

ed to

cut

C00

74.

21/0

9/20

07BV

69C

ut

0072

Ova

l in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is sh

arp.

Sid

es:

gent

le an

d sm

ooth

on

N; s

teep

and

sm

ooth

on

S an

d E;

mod

erat

e and

co

nvex

on

W. B

reak

of s

lope

bas

e is

impe

rcep

tible

on N

; gra

dual

on

W;

shar

p on

S a

nd E

. Bas

e is i

rreg

ular

in

plan

; con

cave

in p

rofil

e.

0.58

x

0.45

x

0.15

Con

text

C00

69 is

the c

ut o

f a n

atur

al fe

a-tu

re, f

orm

ed b

y ro

ot a

ctio

n. C

harc

oal a

nd

oxid

ised

clay

with

in th

e fill

C00

72 in

dica

te

a bur

ning

eve

nt w

ithin

the a

rea.

21/0

9/20

07R

K

70C

ut

0073

Ova

l in

plan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is g

radu

al o

n S;

sh

arp

else

whe

re. S

ides

: mod

erat

e and

irr

egul

ar o

n N

; ste

ep a

nd ir

regu

lar

on E

and

W; s

teep

/ver

tical

and

sm

ooth

on

S. B

reak

of s

lope

bas

e is

impe

rcep

tible

on N

; gra

dual

on

W,

SW a

nd N

W; s

harp

else

whe

re. B

ase

is irr

egul

ar in

pla

n an

d pr

ofile

.

0.37

x

0.3

x 0.

15

Con

text

C00

70 is

pro

babl

y a n

atur

al

hollo

w. P

ossib

ly re

late

d to

pos

sible

pit c

ut

C00

71, i

n clo

se p

roxi

mity

.

21/0

9/20

07D

OS

71C

ut

0075

Sub-

circ

ular

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is g

radu

-al

. Sid

es: m

oder

ate a

nd ir

regu

lar o

n N

and

W; m

oder

ate a

nd sm

ooth

on

S; st

eep

and

smoo

th o

n E.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe b

ase i

s gra

dual

. Bas

e is i

rreg

u-la

r in

plan

; con

cave

in p

rofil

e.

0.24

x

0.21

x

0.09

Thi

s cut

repr

esen

ts a s

mal

l hol

low

pro

babl

y of

nat

ural

orig

in -

poss

ible

area

of v

eget

a-tio

n. C

harc

oal m

ater

ial f

rom

with

in c

ut

poss

ibly

indi

cate

s hum

an a

ctiv

ity, h

owev

er,

coul

d al

so b

e nat

ural

ly d

eriv

ed. S

imila

r to

natu

ral f

eatu

re C

0070

.

21/0

9/20

07N

G


34

72Fi

ll00

69

Soft,

mid

gre

y cl

ayey

silt.

Mod

erat

e fin

e and

med

ium

, and

occ

asio

nal

coar

se su

b-an

gula

r and

sub-

roun

ded

pebb

les.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l sub

-ang

u-la

r and

sub-

roun

ded

stone

s. M

oder

-at

e cha

rcoa

l flec

ks.

0.58

x

0.45

x

0.15

Con

text

C00

72 is

the o

nly

fill o

f cut

C

0069

. It w

as fo

rmed

by

the b

urni

ng o

f na

tura

l roo

ts (p

ossib

ly in

-situ

).

24/0

9/20

07R

K

73Fi

ll00

70

Soft,

ligh

t gre

yish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. M

oder

ate f

ine a

nd m

ediu

m a

ngu-

lar,

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. M

oder

ate c

oars

e ang

ular

pe

bble

s. O

ccas

iona

l sm

all a

ngul

ar

stone

s. M

oder

ate f

lecks

and

smal

l pi

eces

of c

harc

oal.

0.37

x

0.3

x 0.

15

Con

text

C00

73 is

the s

ingl

e fill

of c

ut

C00

70, a

pro

babl

e nat

ural

hol

low.

Dep

osit

mos

t lik

ely fo

rmed

as a

nat

ural

acc

umu-

latio

n of

mat

eria

l in

a hol

low

as i

t was

w

ashe

d do

wn

slope

. Cha

rcoa

l pre

sent

in

the f

ill su

gges

ts po

ssib

le hu

man

act

ivity

w

ithin

the s

urro

undi

ngs o

f the

cut

.

21/0

9/20

07D

OS

74Fu

rrow

Cut

00

78Li

near

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

corn

ers.

Brea

k of

slop

e top

is g

radu

al o

n SE

an

d N

W; i

mpe

rcep

tible

on N

E an

d SW

. Sid

es: m

oder

ate a

nd c

onca

ve o

n SE

; gen

tle a

nd c

onca

ve el

sew

here

. Br

eak

of sl

ope b

ase i

s im

perc

eptib

le.

Base

is ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an; c

onca

ve in

pr

ofile

.

1.93

x

0.39

x

0.15

Con

text

C00

74 is

a co

ntin

uatio

n of

furr

ow

cut C

0067

. Agr

icul

tura

l fur

row

mos

t lik

ely

form

ed d

urin

g pl

ough

ing.

Occ

asio

nal

fleck

s of c

harc

oal w

ithin

fill

indi

cate

s ne

arby

bur

ning

act

ivity

. Rel

ated

to n

earb

y fu

rrow

s C00

67, C

0076

and

C00

58 (p

aral

-lel

to c

ut).

21/0

9/20

07M

CH

75Fi

ll00

71

Soft,

mid

ora

ngish

bro

wn

silty

cla

y. O

ccas

iona

l coa

rse s

ub-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. M

oder

ate s

mal

l pie

ces o

f ch

arco

al.

0.24

x

0.21

x

0.09

Thi

s con

text

repr

esen

ts th

e onl

y fil

l of

cut C

0071

, pos

sibly

del

iber

ately

dum

ped

with

in a

natu

ral c

ut to

leve

l out

the s

ur-

face

. Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns in

dica

te h

uman

ac

tivity

in im

med

iate

are

a, n

ot in

-situ

bu

rnin

g. C

lose

in p

roxi

mity

and

app

ear-

ance

to c

ut C

0070

.

21/0

9/20

07N

G

76Fu

rrow

Cut

00

77Li

near

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

cor-

ners

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

im

perc

eptib

le. S

ides

are

gen

tle a

nd

smoo

th. B

ase i

s irr

egul

ar in

pla

n; fl

at

in p

rofil

e.

3.24

x

0.40

x

0.07

Cut

of f

urro

w. O

ne o

f thr

ee li

nes o

f fur

-ro

ws p

aral

lel to

one

ano

ther

. Cut

pro

babl

y fo

rmed

by

plou

ghin

g, fi

ll pr

obab

ly n

atu-

rally

form

ed. O

ccas

iona

l cha

rcoa

l flec

ks

indi

cate

pos

sible

burn

ing

in c

lose

vic

inity

. R

elat

ed to

nea

rby

and

para

llel f

urro

w c

uts

C00

67, C

0074

and

C00

58.

24/0

9/20

07AC

H


35

77Fu

rrow

Fill

0076

Fi

rm, m

id b

row

n sil

ty sa

nd. O

c-ca

siona

l sm

all s

ub-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal c

harc

oal f

lecks

.

3.24

x

0.40

x

0.07

Fill

of fu

rrow

cut

C00

76. O

ccas

iona

l ch

arco

al fl

ecks

indi

cate

pos

sible

burn

ing

in im

med

iate

vic

inity

(pos

sible

hum

an

occu

patio

n). R

elat

ed to

nea

rby

and

para

llel

furr

ow c

uts C

0067

, C00

74 a

nd C

0058

.

24/0

9/20

07AC

H

78Fu

rrow

Fill

0074

Fi

rm, m

id b

row

n sil

ty sa

nd. O

c-ca

siona

l sm

all s

ub-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Occ

asio

nal c

harc

oal f

lecks

.

1.93

x

0.39

x

0.15

Onl

y fil

l of f

urro

w c

ut C

0074

. May

hav

e be

en d

umpe

d, b

ut m

ost l

ikely

was

hed

into

cu

t. C

harc

oal i

nclu

sions

indi

cate

bur

ning

ac

tivity

with

in im

med

iate

vic

inity

. Clo

sely

re

late

d to

fill

C00

68 o

f cut

C00

67, a

con

-tin

uatio

n of

the s

ame f

urro

w. A

lso re

late

d to

C00

76 a

nd C

0058

.

24/0

9/20

07M

CH

79Fu

rrow

Cut

00

80Li

near

in p

lan

with

roun

ded

cor-

ners

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

gr

adua

l on

SE a

nd N

W; i

mpe

rcep

-tib

le on

NE

and

SW. S

ides

: gen

tle

and

smoo

th o

n N

E an

d SW

; gen

tle

and

conc

ave o

n N

W a

nd S

E. B

ase i

s irr

egul

ar in

pla

n; c

onca

ve in

pro

file.

2.7

x 0.

4 x

0.1

Con

text

C00

79 is

the c

ut o

f a li

near

fur-

row.

For

med

as a

resu

lt of

agr

icul

tura

l pr

actic

es.

May

be r

elat

ed to

cut

C00

69

and

seve

ral o

ther

furr

ows i

n th

e are

a.

24/0

9/20

07BV

80Fu

rrow

Fill

0079

So

ft, li

ght y

ello

wish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e sub

-ang

ular

and

su

b-ro

unde

d; a

nd m

ediu

m a

ngul

ar

pebb

les.

2.7

x 0.

4 x

0.1

Con

text

C00

80 is

the s

ingl

e fill

of l

inea

r fu

rrow

cut

C00

79. N

atur

ally

dep

osite

d. It

is

in c

lose

pro

xim

ity to

cut

C00

69 a

nd m

ay

be re

late

d to

seve

ral f

urro

ws i

n th

e are

a.

24/0

9/20

07BV

81C

ut

0082

Irre

gula

r in

plan

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p is

shar

p on

N, S

E an

d N

W; g

radu

al

else

whe

re. S

ides

: ste

ep/v

ertic

al a

nd

smoo

th o

n N

; gen

tle a

nd ir

regu

lar

on S

; mod

erat

e and

smoo

th o

n E;

ste

ep/v

ertic

al a

nd st

eppe

d on

W.

Base

is ir

regu

lar i

n pl

an; t

aper

ed

poin

t in

prof

ile.

0.8

x 0.

22 x

0.

19

Prob

able

natu

ral f

eatu

re. H

ighl

y irr

egul

ar

plan

of t

he c

ut in

dica

tes r

oot a

ctio

n. P

art

of th

e fea

ture

is a

lso a

natu

ral s

tone

sock

et.

Cha

rcoa

l in

fill C

0082

may

hav

e acc

umu-

late

d in

the v

icin

ity o

f hum

an a

ctiv

ity.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS

82Fi

ll00

81

Soft,

fria

ble,

mid

gre

yish

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. O

ccas

iona

l fin

e and

m

ediu

m a

ngul

ar a

nd su

b-an

gula

r pe

bble

s. O

ccas

iona

l sm

all a

ngul

ar

stone

s. M

oder

ate f

lecks

and

smal

l pi

eces

of c

harc

oal.

0.8

x 0.

22 x

0.

19

Con

text

C00

82 is

the s

ingl

e fill

of c

ut

C00

81, a

pro

babl

e nat

ural

feat

ure.

Hig

hly

irreg

ular

pla

n of

the c

ut in

dica

tes r

oot

actio

n. P

art o

f the

feat

ure i

s also

a na

tura

l sto

ne so

cket

. Cha

rcoa

l in

fill m

ay h

ave

accu

mul

ated

in th

e vic

inity

of h

uman

ac

tivity

.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS


36

83C

ut00

86

Irre

gula

r in

plan

with

roun

ded

cor-

ners

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p is

shar

p on

W

; gra

dual

else

whe

re. S

ides

: gen

tle

and

irreg

ular

on

N a

nd S

; mod

erat

e an

d sm

ooth

on

E; st

eep

and

irreg

ular

on

W. B

reak

of s

lope

bas

e is i

mpe

r-ce

ptib

le on

S; g

radu

al o

n N

and

E;

shar

p on

W. B

ase i

s sub

-ova

l in

plan

; co

ncav

e in

prof

ile.

0.55

x

0.21

x

0.09

Cut

C00

83 is

the c

ut o

f a p

ossib

le pi

t, al

thou

gh sh

allo

w d

epth

and

irre

gula

r sha

pe

sugg

est i

t is m

ore l

ikely

a na

rrow

feat

ure

carv

ed b

y ro

ot a

ctio

n. C

harc

oal i

nclu

sions

in

dica

te h

uman

act

ivity

, and

bur

ning

- po

ssib

ly a

burn

t-out

root

.

24/0

9/20

07RW

84C

ut

0085

Irre

gula

r in

plan

. Cor

ners

are

ro

unde

d on

NE

and

NW

; squ

are o

n SE

and

SW

. Bre

ak o

f slo

pe to

p an

d ba

se is

shar

p. S

ides

: mod

erat

e and

sm

ooth

on

NE;

stee

p an

d sm

ooth

on

SE a

nd N

W; s

teep

and

con

cave

on

SW. B

ase i

s irr

egul

ar in

pla

n; ta

pere

d po

int i

n pr

ofile

.

0.57

x

0.56

x

0.25

Con

text

C00

84 is

the c

ut o

f a n

on-a

rcha

e-ol

ogic

al fe

atur

e, fo

rmed

thro

ugh

natu

ral

root

act

ion.

Cha

rcoa

l inc

lusio

ns in

dica

te a

bu

rnin

g ev

ent w

ithin

the a

rea.

24/0

9/20

07R

K

85Fi

ll00

84

Soft,

mid

bro

wni

sh g

rey

silt.

Occ

a-sio

nal f

ine a

nd c

oars

e, an

d m

oder

ate

med

ium

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d pe

bble

s. O

ccas

iona

l sm

all

and

med

ium

sub-

angu

lar a

nd su

b-ro

unde

d sto

nes.

Mod

erat

e flec

ks a

nd

smal

l pie

ces,

and

occa

siona

l med

ium

an

d la

rge p

iece

s of c

harc

oal.

0.57

x

0.56

x

0.25

Con

text

C00

85 is

the o

nly

fill o

f cut

C

0084

. It w

as fo

rmed

thro

ugh

the b

urn-

ing

of n

atur

al ro

ot m

ater

ial.

Cha

rcoa

l in

clusio

ns w

ithin

the f

ill in

dica

te b

urni

ng

with

in th

e are

a.

24/0

9/20

07R

K

86Fi

ll00

83

Stiff

, mid

pin

kish

gre

y cl

ay. O

c-ca

siona

l coa

rse s

ub-a

ngul

ar p

ebbl

es.

Occ

asio

nal s

mal

l sub

-ang

ular

ston

es.

Freq

uent

flec

ks a

nd sm

all p

iece

s, an

d oc

casio

nal m

ediu

m p

iece

s of

char

coal

.

0.55

x

0.21

x

0.09

Con

text

C00

86 is

the f

ill o

f cut

C00

83, a

po

ssib

le pi

t, bu

t mor

e lik

ely to

be a

nat

ural

fe

atur

e cre

ated

by

root

act

ion.

For

mat

ion

was

pro

babl

y du

e to

hum

an a

ctiv

ity. C

har-

coal

sugg

ests

burn

ing,

pos

sibly

or r

oots

, or

may

be b

urnt

mat

eria

l dep

osite

d in

to p

it/de

pres

sion.

24/0

9/20

07RW


37

87St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

89O

val i

n pl

an w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op is

shar

p. S

ides

: ste

ep a

nd st

eppe

d on

N; s

teep

and

sm

ooth

else

whe

re. B

reak

of s

lope

ba

se is

impe

rcep

tible.

Bas

e is c

ircul

ar

in p

lan;

poi

nted

in p

rofil

e. T

he b

ot-

tom

of t

his f

eatu

re w

as n

ot re

ache

d.

0.12

x

0.08

x

0.22

Cut

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le. T

his c

ut m

ay

also

hav

e bee

n an

ani

mal

bur

row.

Pos

sibly

re

late

d to

con

text

C00

88.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS

88St

akeh

ole

Cut

00

90Su

b-ci

rcul

ar in

pla

n w

ith ro

unde

d co

rner

s. Br

eak

of sl

ope t

op is

shar

p.

Side

s are

ver

tical

; nar

row

ing

on S

W

whe

re a

stone

is p

rojec

ting.

Bre

ak o

f slo

pe b

ase i

s im

perc

eptib

le. T

he b

ase

of th

is cu

t was

not

reac

hed

(too

deep

an

d na

rrow

).

0.09

x

0.08

x

0.18

Cut

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le. T

his c

ut m

ay

also

hav

e bee

n an

ani

mal

bur

row.

Pos

sibly

re

late

d to

con

text

C00

87.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS

89St

akeh

ole

Fill

0087

So

ft an

d lo

ose,

grey

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. M

oder

ate c

harc

oal i

nclu

sions

. 0.

12 x

0.

08 x

0.

22

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

87. M

ay

be re

late

d to

con

text

C00

88.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS

90St

akeh

ole

Fill

0088

So

ft an

d lo

ose,

mid

bro

wn

sand

y sil

t. 0.

09 x

0.

08 x

0.

18

Fill

of p

ossib

le sta

keho

le cu

t C00

88. M

ay

be re

late

d to

con

text

C00

87.

24/0

9/20

07D

OS

91Fu

rrow

Fill

0092

Ve

ry so

ft, m

id b

row

n cl

ayey

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Appendix 2 Site Matrix

Clash-E3660

39



40

Appendix 3 Group and subgroups

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

excavation.Topsoil C.1 This subgroup describes the topsoil covering the archaeological features. It was a firm

light greyish brown sandy silt. Subsoil C.2This subgroup describes the natural subsoil that formed across the area of excavation.

It was a compact light yellowish orange silty clay.

Group 2 Bronze Age houseThis group describes the features related to the construction of a round house and the

associated features within the structure.

Subgroup 1 Outer line of post-holes and slot trenches Four post-holes C.8, C.31, C.33 and C.56Post-hole C.8 was located 0.9 m to the north-east of these two post-holes. It was cir-

cular in shape. It had vertical and smooth sides and was concave in profile. The fill C.24 was a brown sandy silt with inclusions of large stones and charcoal.

Posthole C.31 was located 1.3 m north of the limit of excavation. It had vertical and smooth sides and a concave profile. It was filled by a firm mid yellowish brown sandy peb-bly silt C.32. Moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal were observed within this fill.

Post-holes C.33 and C.56 were located adjacent to one another 4.1 m north-east of posthole C.31. Post-hole C.33 was circular in shape. It had steep and concave sides and a flat base. It was filled by a firm mid greyish brown silty sand C.43 with occasional small pieces of charcoal inclusions. Post-hole C.56 was circular in shape. It was filled by a firm mid brown silty sand C.61 with occasional small pieces of charcoal inclusions.

Slot trench C.28 was irregular in plan with rounded corners. The fill C.37 was a brown silty sand with charcoal inclusions.

Slot trench C.52 was linear in plan with rounded corners. The fill C.59 was a brown sandy silt with charcoal inclusions.Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type8 0.42 x 0.3 x 0.35 Post-hole28 0.60 x 1.10 x 0.03 Slot trench31 0.34 x 0.32 x 0.8 Post-hole33 0.4 x 0.35 x 0.38 Post-hole52 2.23 x 0.40 x 0.11 Slot trench56 0.32 x 0.28 x 0.21 Post-hole

Tableofdimensionsofpost-holesandslottrenches

Clash-E3660

41


InterpretationThe four post-holes and two slot trenches were located on the outer or south-eastern

circuit of a structure. The interval between the posts was irregular. Three of the post-holes C.8, 31 and C.33 were deep. Packing stones were recorded in post-hole C.8. The close proximity of post-holes C.33 and C.56 indicate that one may have been dug as a replace-ment or support post. The post-pipes did not survive which indicates that the posts may have been removed and did not decay insitu. The slot trenches were located on either side of the area of the entrance. The slot trench C.28 was very shallow and truncated.

Subgroup 2 Inner circuit of structure Three post-holes were present on the inner circuit of the structure C.18, C.25 and

C.45.Post-hole C.18 was sub-circular in plan with rounded corners. The fill C.19 was a

brown sandy silt with inclusions of large stones. Post-hole C.25 was irregular in plan. The fill C.26 was a brown silt with inclusions of

stones. Post-hole C.45 was irregular in plan with vertical sides. The fill C.50 was a brown silty

sand with inclusions of large stones.Pit C10 was sub-circular in plan with sloping sides and base. The fills C.21 and C.22

included charcoal and burnt clay. Pit C.36 was oval in plan with sloping sides and rounded base. The fill C.38 was a

brown sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal.Slot trench C.47 was irregular in plan with sloping sides and irregular base. The fill

C. 49 was a brown sandy silt with inclusions of large stones.Stakehole C.48 was oval in plan and substantial in depth.

Context Number Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type10 0.63 x 0.61 x 0.28 Pit18 0.45 x 0.4 x 0.27 Post25 0.4 x 0.38 x 0.15 Post36 1.36 x 0.62 x 0.2 Pit48 0.17 x 0.12 x 0.37 Stakehole45 0.62 x 0.3 x 0.45 Possible double post47 1.35 x 0.85 x 0.17 Truncated slot trench

Tableofdimensions

InterpretationThe large stones in the fill of the three post-holes are packing stones. The large size

of post-hole C.45 could indicate that it was a double post-hole or there may have been a substantial amount of packing. The stake-hole C.48 was deep and may have functioned as an entrance post. The slot trench C.47 was irregular but the width and inclusions of stones may indicate a packing fill and material.

Subgroup 3 Internal features


42

Four stakeholes C.35, C.40, C.41, C.46 and a pit C.23 were located in the central interior.

The pit C.23 was circular in plan with steeply sloping sides and had a concave profile. It was filled by a strongly cemented mid yellowish brown silty sand C.27 that included stones and charcoal.


23 0.45 x 0.45 x 0.35 Post-hole

35 0.11 x 0.11 x 0.11 Stake-hole

41 0.10 x 0.09 x 0.12 Stake-hole

40 0.10 x 0.07 x 0.12 Stake-hole

46 0.09 x 0.08 x 0.12 Stake-hole

Tableofdimensions

InterpretationThe dimensions for pit C.23 are comparable to other post-holes on the circuit of the

structure and large stones in the fill could be packing stones. The stake-holes formed a approximate square measuring 0.25 m sq, the pit/post-hole C.23 was located to the 0.6 m to the north. The stake-holes were probably associated with a central hearth.

Subgroup 4 External featuresThree stake-holes C. 9, C.88 and C.87 and a pit C.30 were located outside the area of

the structure. Pit C.10 was sub-circular in shape with steep to vertically sloping sides and a flat

profile. It was filled by two deposits. The primary fill was a stiff mid yellowish brown silty clay (21) and the secondary fill was a stiff dark greyish brown silty clay (22). Charcoal inclusions were found in both fills.

Stake-holes C.88 and C.87 were located adjacent to one another 5.5 m north-east of the structure.

Stake-hole C.9 was located 5 m to the west of the central hearth area of the structure.


9 0.08 x 0.06 x 0.05 Stake-hole

10 0.63 x 0.61 x 0.28 Pit

87 0.12 x 0.08 x 0.22 Stake-hole

88 0.09 x 0.08 x 0.18 Stake-hole

Tableofdimensions

Clash-E3660

43


Group 3 Modern Features This group describes a modern field drain and agricultural furrows.

Subgroup 1 Field Drain C.3, fills C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, C.12 and C.13Description A linear feature C.3 ran across the site in a north-east to south-west orientation. It

measured c. 63 m in length (within the area of excavation), 1.26 m in width and 0.27 in depth. It had gentle to steeply sloping sides and a concave base. It was filled by five de-posits C.4, C.5, C.6, C.7, C.12 and C.13. They were in general firm in compaction, mid orangish brown in colour and sandy silt in composition. Two sherds of post-medieval pottery and an iron miscellaneous object were recovered from fill C.4.

InterpretationThis feature represents a field drain that was used to drain water from this area for

agricultural purposes. The post-medieval finds recovered from within the fill suggest that this feature is modern in date. It is not marked on the 1st edition 1829-41 OS map but it is marked on the 25 inch 1897-1913 OS map.

Subgroup 2 Furrows C.58, fill C.57, C.74, fill C.78, C.67, fill C.68, C.92, fill C.91, C.79, fill C.80, C.76, fill

C.77.Description Six linear features were located across the western side of the excavation. Five were

located in the south-west corner of the site. These features were similar in length, width and depth, as seen in the table above. Furrow C.58 was located furthest south in the area of excavation. It had gently sloping sides and was concave in profile. Furrow C.92 was located immediately to the north. It had gently sloping sides and a flat base. Furrow C.76 was located 1.3 m to the north of C.92. It had gently sloping sides and a flat base. Furrows C.74 and C.67 represent two parts of the same furrow 0.9 m to the north of furrow C.76. Furrow C.74 had moderate and concave sides and a concave profile. Some charcoal flecks were recovered from the fill of this furrow. Furrow C.67 had moderate and irregular sides and a irregular base.

A single furrow C.79 was located approximately 21.5 m north of this group of features. It had gentle and smooth sloping sides and a concave profile.


44


58 4.40 x 0.70 x 0.15

67 1.5 x 0.37 x 0.1

74 1.93 x 0.39 x 0.15

76 3.24 x 0.40 x 0.07

79 2.7 x 0.4 x 0.1

92 1.72 x 0.50 x 0.04

TableofDimensionsoffurrows�

InterpretationThese features represent the remains of a set of agricultural furrows, most probably

excavated by plough due to their regular shape. These furrows are parallel to one another suggesting that they contemporary in use, however the separation of furrow [79] also sug-gests that other furrows would have at one time been present in this area.

Group 4 Natural FeaturesThis group describes a group of features located across the area of excavation which

may be natural or agricultural in origin. C.11, C.16, C.55, C.69, C.70, C.71, C.83 and C.84Description The fills are a mix of brown silty sand and silty clays with C.11 was circular in plan with sloping sides. The fill C.17 was a brown silty sand with

inclusions of charcoal. It was c. 4m west of the field ditch C.3.C.16 was oval in plan with sloping sides. The fill C.20 was a brown silty sandy with

inclusions of charcoal. C.55 was located 2 m south of the group of furrows in the south-western corner of the

excavation. It was linear in plan with sloping sides. The fill C.62 was a brown silty sand. C.69 was located 2.5 m south of furrow C.79. It was oval in plan with sloping sides.

The fill C.72 was a grey silt clay with inclusions of charcoal. C.70 was located in the northwest corner of the area of the excavation. It was oval in

plan with sloping sides. The fill C.73 was a brown sandy silt with inclusions of charcoal. C.71 was located 2 m north-west of C.70. It was oval in plan with sloping sides. The

fill C.75 was a brown silty clay with inclusions of charcoal. C.83 was located 16 m south-west of C.84. It was oval in plan with very sloping sides

and narrow base. The fill C.86 was a pink clay with inclusions of charcoal.C.84 was located 8 m north-west of C.11. It was irregular in plan with sloping sides

and irregular in base. The fill C.75 was a brown grey silt with inclusions of charcoal.

Clash-E3660

45



11 0.42 x 0.46 x 0.10

16 0.50 x 0.55 x 0.15

55 1.10 x 0.46 x 0.08

69 0.58 x 0.45 x 0.15

70 0.37 x 0.3 x 0.15

71 0.24 x 0.21 x 0.09

83 0.55 x 0.21 x 0.09

84 0.57 x 0.56 x 0.25

TableofDimensions

InterpretationThe irregularity, lack of depth within the features and the scatter nature of them

across the area of the excavation suggests that they are natural. The similar but sterile fills within some of these features suggest a natural origin, while the charcoal inclusions in some of the fills could be agricultural in origin.


46

Appendix 4 Plant remains By Penny Johnston

IntroductionThis report details the results of plant remains analysis on material retrieved from

Clash, Co. Tipperary. The site comprised a group of post-holes, stake-holes and pits that possibly represented a truncated prehistoric structure. Radiocarbon dates indicate a Late Bronze Age period of occupation.

MethodologyThe samples were collected on site as bulk soil and were processed using machine-

assisted 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. A total of 16 samples were sieved from this site, but 6 did not contain any charred plant remains and therefore these did not produce flots (listed in Table 1 at the end of this report).

The remaining 10 samples were scanned under low-powered magnification. The re-sults of preliminary scanning were presented in an assessment report (Johnston 2009) and the assessment table is reproduced as Table 2 at the end of this report.

Samples were selected for further analysis on the basis of the preliminary assessment. This selection was limited to samples that contained plant material Plant remains were extracted from the flots and the material was identified under low-powered magnification (x 10 to x 40) using a binocular microscope. The results of identification are presented in Table 3 at the end of this report. Nomenclature and taxonomic order follow Stace (1997). Use of scientific names is restricted to the tables at the end of the report in order to facili-tate easy reading of this text.

ResultsA total of 10 samples were scanned. Assessment revealed that only 50% of these con-

tained seeds (5 samples). In all cases the quantities of plant remains recovered were small, with just 15 grains of cereals found in total from the site. Where identifiable, the cereals were barley and it is likely that these were brought to site as foodstuffs. Preservation oc-curred when the plant remains were subsequently accidentally charred during domestic activity at the site. Other seeds included wild plants such as Black bindweed (from the dock family) and flax. Both of these plant remains could have been collected either as food or as accidental inclusions gathered with the crop plants.

Clash-E3660

47


All of the plant remains were found in association with three pits (C.36, C.23 and C.10) and two post-holes (C.8 and C.56) within an area of features that has been inter-preted as a possible truncated structure. Radiocarbon dates from these features indicate a period of occupation that is dated to the Late Bronze Age.

Barley is often the dominant cereal type in Irish sites dating to the Bronze Age (Monk

1985/86, 32). Sites in Co. Tipperary where archaeobotanical analysis has been carried out bear this finding out, for example, at the Middle Bronze Age settlement site at Site A in Chancellorsland (McClatchie 2008), and at the Late Bronze Age settlement sites at Curraghatoor (Monk 1987a, 30 – 31 and McClatchie 2007, 64 ) and Ballyveelish Monk 1987b 40 – 42). At all of these sites barley was the most common Bronze Age crop type. At many of these sites retrieval was also sporadic and poor. The plant remains assemblage from Clash is therefore reasonably typical when compared to other domestic sites that have been excavated in Co. Tipperary.

References

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

Monk, M. 1987a Appendix I: the charred plant remains, pp. 40 – 42 in Doody, M. ‘Late Bronze Age huts at Curraghatoor, Co. Tipperary’. In Cleary, R.M. Hurley, M.F. and Twohig E.A. (eds.) Archaeological Excavations on the Cork-Dublin Gas Pipeline (1981-82). Cork, Department of Archaeology.

Monk, M. 1987b Appendix V: the charred plant remains from Ballyveelish, pp. 30 – 31 in Doody, M. ‘Late Bronze Age settlement, Ballyveelish 2, Co. Tipperary’. In Cleary, R.M. Hurley, M.F. and Twohig E.A. (eds.) Archaeological Excavations on the Cork-Dublin Gas Pipeline (1981-82). Cork, Department of Archaeology.

Monk, M. 1985/86. ‘Evidence from macroscopic plant remains for crop husbandry in prehistoric and early historic Ireland: A review’, Journal of Irish Archaeology 3, 31 – 36.

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. Cam-bridge University Press.


48

Table 1Sample Context12 1414 2221 3433 5449 8950 90

Table1:Sievedsamplesthatproducednoflot

Table 2Sample Context Charcoal Seeds Percentage

scanned11 24 Medium Low 10015 21 Medium Low 10019 16 Low Absent 10020 27 Low Low 10025 38 High Medium 10026 42 Low Absent 10027 32 High Absent 10029 44 Low Absent 10032 51 Low Absent 10036 61 Low Low 100

Table2:ScannedsamplesfromClash,Co�Tipperary(E3660)

Table 3Context 24 21 27 38 61Sample 11 15 20 25 36Black bindweed (Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Á Löve) 1 Flax seed fragments (Linum L. species) 1 Barley grains (Hordeum vulgare L.) probably naked barley

2 1 4

Barley grains of indetermiante type (Hordeum spp.) 1 Barley/Wheat grains (Hordeum/Triticum) 1 1 Indeterminate cereal grains 2 2 1

Table3:IdentifiedplantremainsfromClash,Co�Tipperary(E3660)

Clash-E3660

49


Appendix 5 Lithics report

By Farina SternkeMA, PhD

IntroductionOne lithic find from the archaeological excavation of a possible prehistoric site at

Clash 1, Co. Tipperary was presented for analysis (Table 1). The find is associated with four post-holes, eight stake holes and four pits.

Find

Num

ber

Con

text

Mat

eria

l

Type

Cor

tex

Con

ditio

n

Leng

th (m

m)

Wid

th (m

m)

Thi

ckn.

(mm

)

Com

plet

e

Ret

ouch

Perio

d

Sub-

Perio

d

Rel

iabi

lty

E3660:1:1 1 Flint Blade No Slightly Patinated

24 15 4 No No Neolithic First Half

High

Table1CompositionoftheLithicAssemblagefromClash1(E3660)

MethodologyAll lithic artefacts are examined visually and catalogued using Microsoft Excel. The

following 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, artefact condition, length, with and thickness measurements, fragmentation and the type of retouch (where applicable). The technological criteria recorded are based on the ter-minology and technology presented in Inizan et al. 1999. The general typological and morphological classifications are based on Woodman et al. 2006. Struck lithics smaller than 2 cm are classed as debitage and not analysed further, unless they represent pieces of technological or typological significance, e.g. cores etc. The same is done with natural chunks.

QuantificationThe lithic (E3660:1:1) is a worked piece of flint.

ProvenanceThe artefact was recovered from the topsoil.

Condition:The lithic survives in slightly patinated and incomplete condition.


50

Technology/Morphology: The artefact is a blade which was produced on a single-platform core. It is missing its

proximal end and measures 24 mm long, 15 mm wide and 4 mm thick.

Dating:The artefact appears to date to the first half (Early to Middle) of the Neolithic period.

ConservationLithics do not require specific conservation, but should be stored in a dry, stable envi-

ronment. Preferably, each lithic should be bagged separately and contact with other lith-ics should be avoided, so as to prevent damage and breakage, in particular edge damage which could later be misinterpreted as retouch. Larger and heavier items are best kept in individual boxes to avoid crushing of smaller assemblage pieces.

SummaryThe lithic find from the archaeological excavation at Clash 1, Co. Tipperary is a flint

blade which appears to date to the first half of the Neolithic period.

This site makes a minor contribution to the evidence for prehistoric settlement and land use in Co. Tipperary.

Bibliography

Inizan, 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.

Education

Archaeological Report - Clash, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)