archaeological report - ballynamona 1, co. cork (ireland)
DESCRIPTION
The excavation of the site at Ballynamona was spread over two areas (Area 1 and Area 2). Excavation revealed nine pits, two post-holes and a linear feature in Area 1 and 12 pits and two linear features from Area 2. Some finds of prehistoric pottery indicated Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age activity.TRANSCRIPT
Issue 10 [ISSN 2009-2237]
Archaeological Excavation ReportE2428 - Ballynamona 1, Co. Cork
Prehistoric activity
Eachtra Journal
May 2011
Archaeological Excavation Report
Co. Cork
Cork County Council
John Tierney and Penny Johnston
Ballynamona 1
EACHTRAArchaeological Projects
E No:
:
Project:
Client:
E2428
N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown
John TierneyExcavation Director
Written by:
Prehistoric activity at
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]
Archaeological Excavation ReportPrehistoric activity at
Ballynamona 1Co. Cork
Excavation Director
John Tierney
Written By
John Tierney and Penny Johnston
EACHTRAArchaeological Projects
© Eachtra Archaological Projects 2011 The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork
Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland
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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)�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Bronze�Age�(c��2000�to�500�BC)����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Iron�Age�(c��500�BC�to�AD�500)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 7
Early�medieval�period�(c��AD�500�to�1100)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 8
High�and�later�medieval�periods�(c��AD�1100�to�1650)����������������������������������������������������������������� 9
Post-medieval�period�(c��1650�to�the�present)���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
5 SiteLocationandTopography������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 11
6 Excavationmethodology���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
7 Excavationresults������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 13Area�1���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������15
Area�2���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17
Charcoal����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Plant�remains������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Pottery�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Radiocarbon�dates������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24
9 Discussion�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24
10 References�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27
Appendix1 StratigraphicIndex�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 31
Appendix2 Sitematrix������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 41
Appendix3 Groupsandsubgroups������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 43
Appendix4 Findsregister������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 51
Appendix5 Plantremains������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 53
Appendix6 Potteryreport������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������56
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List of FiguresFigure1: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheOrdnanceSurvey
DiscoverySeriesmap������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2
Figure2: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheRMPmapCO010,011,019,020,027and028�ThemapisbasedonthesecondeditionOrdnanceSurveymaps�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Figure3: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainonthefirsteditionOrd-nanceSurveymapCO010,011,019,020,027and028���������������������������������������������������������������10
Figure4: Post-excavationplanofBallynamona1E2428������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12
Figure5: Post-excavationplanofBallynamona1E2428Area1���������������������������������������������������������������� 14
Figure6: Post-excavationplanofBallynamona1E2428Area2����������������������������������������������������������������16
Figure7: IllustrationofEarlyBronzeAgeVaseUrn,Vessel2���������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Figure8: IllustrationofLateNeolithicGroovedWare,Vessel1����������������������������������������������������������������� 19
Figure9: NeolithicsitesonandintheenvironsoftheN8FermoyMitchelstown������������������������������26
Figure10: EarlyBronzeAgesitesonandintheenvironsoftheN8FermoyMitchelstown��������������28
List of PlatesPlate1: ViewoftheexcavationatBallynamona1(Area1)withthesurroundinghillsvisiblein
thebackground,fromthenorth-west(Photo:JohnSunderland)����������������������������������������� 13
Plate2: WorkingshotofexcavationsatBallynamona1(Photo:JohnSunderland)������������������������ 15
Plate3: ViewoftheexcavationatBallynamona1(Area1),fromthenorth(Photo:JohnSunder-land)�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
Plate4: Post-excavationviewofpossiblecremationpit(C�86),fromnorth���������������������������������������18
Plate5: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�72),fromsouth-west�������������������������������������������������������������������20
Plate6: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�76),fromnorth-east��������������������������������������������������������������������21
Plate7: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�71)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22
Plate8: Partiallyexcavatedviewofpit(C�91),showingcharcoal-richfill,fromnorth���������������������22
Plate9: South-eastfacingsectionoflinearfeature(C�77)������������������������������������������������������������������������23
List of TablesTable1:Post-holedimensions����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
Table2:Pitdimensions��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20
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SummaryThe excavation of the site at Ballynamona was spread over two areas (Area 1 and Area 2). Excavation revealed nine pits, two post-holes and a linear feature in Area 1 and 12 pits and two linear features from Area 2. Some finds of prehistoric pottery indicated Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age activity.
Road project name N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown BypassSite name Ballynamona 1E no. E2428Ministerial Order no. A040Site director John TierneyTownland BallynamonaParish BrigownBarony Condons and ClangibbonOS Map Sheet No. CO19National Grid Reference 182613 111460 - 182692 111490
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AcknowledgementsThe senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation managers were Penny Johnston and Jacinta Kiely. Administration of the project was by Choryna Kiely and Fiona Greene. Illustrations are by Ben Blakeman and Maurizio Toscano. Photographs are by John Sunderland, Hawkeye and Eachtra Archaeological Projects. Specialist analysis was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Helen Roche, Eoin Grogan and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. The project was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and was commissioned by Cork County Council on behalf of the National Roads Authority. The project archaeolo-gist was Ken Hanley.
Ballynamona 1-E2428
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1 Scope of the project The archaeological works associated with the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass was carried out on behalf of Cork County Council, National Road Design Office, Rich-mond, Glanmire, Co. Cork. The project was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority through Cork County Council as part of the Author-ity’s commitment to protecting our cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct archaeological site investigations within the lands made available, to assess the nature and extent of any potential new sites uncovered and to preserve by record those sites of agreed archaeological significance, as approved by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in October 2005 under licence 05E1150 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and Lo-cal Government (DoEHLG). 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 archaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying. Five Cul-tural Heritage Sites were tested under individual excavation licences 05E1122-05E1126.
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 bypass. This phase of the project was carried out from September 2006 to Septem-ber 2007 and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeolo-gist. A total of 28 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 arising from archaeological works along the route of the new N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown By-pass. It included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works. The document detailed the location of the route, the receiving environment, the archaeological and historical background, the scope of the project and the circumstances and scope of fieldwork. The document presented a scheme-wide summary of the archaeo-logical findings, a research framework within which the findings were dealt with and a publication plan and dissemination strategy for the end results.
2 Route locationThe route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road is located in the rich pastureland of North Cork (Figure 1). The project involves the construction of c. 16 km of the N8 from Gortore north of Fermoy to Carrigane north-east of Mitchelstown. The N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road passes through the townlands of Gortore, Ballynacarriga, Glenwood, Ballinglanna North, Ballinrush, Caherdrinny, Gortnahown, Ballybeg, Turbeagh, Glena-
Sligo
MayoRoscommon
Galway
Clare
Leitrim
Cavan
Longford
Westmeath
Tipperary
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
WexfordKilkenny
Carlow
Wicklow
Kildare
Dublin
Meath
Louth
Laois
Donegal Antrim
Armagh
Derry
DownFermanagh
Tyrone
Clare
Offaly
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
Waterford
Antrim
N8
Key
Townland Boundaries
Gortore 1BE2410
Gortore 2E3973
Ballynacarriga 1E2411
Ballynacarriga 2E2413
Ballinglanna North 1E2414
Ballinglanna North 3E2416
Ballinglanna North 4E2417
Ballinglanna North 5E2418
Ballinrush 1E2419
Caherdrinny 1E2420
Caherdrinny 2E2421
Caherdrinny 3E2422
Gortnahown 1E2423
Gortnahown 2E2426
Gortnahown 3E2477
Glenatluckly 1E2427
Ballynamona 2E2429
Ballynamona 1E2428
Garryleagh 1E2433
Carrigane 1E2434
Kilshanny 3E2432
Kilshanny 2E2431
Kilshanny 1E2430
Kildrum 1E3971
Ballynacarriga 3E2412
Ballinglanna North 2E2415
Gortnahown 4E3832
Ballinglanna North 6E3972
Ballynamona 1E2428
N
0km 2km
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Post Medieval
Early Medieval
Prehistoric Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
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Figure1: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheOrdnanceSurveyDiscoverySeriesmap�
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tlucky, Ballynamona, Kilshanny, Corracunna, Kildrum, Garryleagh, and Carrigane. The townlands are located in the parishes of Kilcrumper, Glanworth and Brigown and Barony of Condons & Clangibbon, with the exception of Gortore, and Glenwood, which are located in the Barony of Fermoy.
The route begins at the northern end of the Fermoy Bypass at Gortore, c. 2km north of Fermoy, and continues northwards across the River Funshion, and to the west of the Glencorra Stream, a tributary of the Funshion, for 4 km. At Caherdrinny, it crosses over the western extremities of the Kilworth Mountains. From there it descends north-east-wards onto the broad plain that extends east and north-eastwards from Mitchelstown. It crosses the existing N8 at Gortnahown and passes to the east of Mitchelstown, crossing the R665 Mitchelstown-Ballyporeen road and links up with the N8 Cashel Mitchelstown Road at Carrigane south of Kilbeheny and 2 km west of where the borders of the Cork, Limerick and Tipperary counties meet.
3 Receiving environmentThe topography of East Cork and Waterford consists of east/west valleys separated by in-tervening ridges. The ridges consist of sandstones and mudstones of the Devonian Period (Old Red Sandstone) laid down 355-410 million years ago and the valleys of Carbonifer-ous limestones laid down 290-355 million years ago. The sediments covering many of the rocks are mainly of glacial origin deposited by glacial ice or meltwater (Sleeman and McConnell 1995, 1).
The landscape of the area is dominated by the Galtee Mountains to the north, the Ballyhoura Mountains to the north-west, the Kilworth Mountains to the east and the Nagles to the south. The landscape is drained by the Blackwater River, the Funshion River (which flows into the Blackwater River c. 2 km north-east of Fermoy), and the Glencorra Stream, a tributary of the Funshion River. The largest population centres in the area, Fermoy and Mitchelstown, have developed on the banks of the River Blackwater and Gradoge (a tributary of the Funshion), respectively.
The route begins at Gortore, c. 2 km north of Fermoy, at an elevation of c. 40 m OD. At Caherdrinny, it rises to its maximum elevation of c. 180 m OD as it crosses over the western extremities of the Kilworth Mountains, before descending onto the broad plain that that extends east and north-eastwards from Mitchelstown, at an elevation of 100-120 m OD.
The soils on the southern portion of the route are characterised by acid brown earths derived from mixed sandstone and limestone glacial till. These soils occur generally in the valleys of Cork and Waterford (Gardiner and Radford 1980, 61), and have a wide use range, being suitable for tillage and grass production. The soils on the western limits of Kilworth Mountains are characterised by brown podzolics derived from sandstone. The soils on the northern portion of the route are characterised by brown podzolics derived from sandstone and shale glacial till. They have a wide range of potential uses and are well
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suited to arable and pastoral farming (ibid., 67). Land use along the route was almost en-tirely grassland devoted to intensive dairying and cattle-rearing, with only an occasional tillage field.
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), Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Chalcolithic (Beaker) (c. 2500-2000 BC), Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 500 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).
A number of Giant Irish Deer (Megaloceros giganteus) skulls, large antlers, antler frag-ments and various long-bones were retrieved from the clay sediments, c. 1.5 m below the peat stratum at Ballyoran Bog (04E1014) on the route of the N8 Rathcormac Fermoy. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 11201-10962 was returned for the Giant Irish Deer. Gi-ant Irish Deer are extinct but are known to have inhabited Ireland during two separate periods in the Pleistocene (from 37,000-32,000 BP and 11,750-10,950 BP), with examples from lake deposits beneath peat bogs frequently dating to the period between 11,750 BP and 10,950 BP (Woodman et al. 1997). The Ballyoran Bog examples were found in this typical location of lacustrine (lake) sediments beneath peat and they therefore pre-date the beginnings of bog formation and the first human settlement of the area.
Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c. 8000 BC - 4000 BC). In Munster, the majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Meso-lithic occupation has ‘come from the Blackwater valley in Co. Cork’ (Woodman 1989, 116). Flint scatters were recorded in the townlands of Kilcummer Lower (CO034-060) on the northern bank of the Blackwater c. 13 km to the south-west of the route and in Ballynamona (CO018-099) and Wallstown (CO018-100) on the northern and southern sides of the Awbeg river respectively c. 20 km to the west of the route (Power et al. 2000, 2). Mesolithic sites and find spots were recorded on other road schemes in Co. Cork, these included; Rathhealy 3 03E1678 and Curraghprevin 3 03E1138 (N8 Rathcormac Fermoy Bypass), Ballynacarriaga 1 01E0567 (N25 Youghal Bypass), Ballinaspig More 5 01E0546 (N22 Ballincollig Bypass) and Carrigrohane 3 02E0431 (N22 BG).
Mesolithic activity was recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy-Mitchelstown at Gortore E2410 and at Caherdrinny 3 E2422 and Mesolithic stone tools were recovered from Ballinglanna North 1 E2414, Ballinglanna North 3 E2416 and Ballinglanna North 6 E3972.
Sligo
MayoRoscommon
Galway
Clare
Leitrim
Cavan
Longford
Westmeath
Tipperary
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
WexfordKilkenny
Carlow
Wicklow
Kildare
Dublin
Meath
Louth
Laois
Donegal Antrim
Armagh
Derry
DownFermanagh
Tyrone
Clare
Offaly
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
Waterford
Antrim
N8
Key
Townland Boundaries
Gortore 1BE2410
Gortore 2E3973
Ballynacarriga 1E2411
Ballynacarriga 2E2413
Ballinglanna North 1E2414
Ballinglanna North 3E2416
Ballinglanna North 4E2417
Ballinglanna North 5E2418
Ballinrush 1E2419
Caherdrinny 1E2420
Caherdrinny 2E2421
Caherdrinny 3E2422
Gortnahown 1E2423
Gortnahown 2E2426
Gortnahown 3E2477
Glenatluckly 1E2427
Ballynamona 2E2429
Ballynamona 1E2428
Garryleagh 1E2433
Carrigane 1E2434
Kilshanny 3E2432
Kilshanny 2E2431
Kilshanny 1E2430
Kildrum 1E3971
Ballynacarriga 3E2412
Ballinglanna North 2E2415
Gortnahown 4E3832
Ballinglanna North 6E3972
Ballynamona 1E2428
N
0km 2km
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Post Medieval
Early Medieval
Prehistoric Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
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Figure2: TherouteoftheN8FermoytoMitchelstownBypassoverlainontheRMPmapCO010,011,019,020,027and028�ThemapisbasedonthesecondeditionOrdnanceSurveymaps�
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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. A substantial Neolithic settlement site has been recorded at Lough Gur, Co. Limerick. Previously the nearest known Neolithic house was located in Pepper-hill (CO016-226/01) c. 30 km to the northwest of the route. It was recorded during the construction of the Bruff-Mallow gas pipeline (Gowen 1988, 44-51).
The material culture includes the manufacture of pottery, flint and stone arrowheads, scrapers, axes etc. The range of monuments types includes Megalithic tombs, single burial graves and stone circles. Megalithic tombs can be sub-divided into court tombs, portal tombs, passage tombs and wedge tombs. There are few wedge tombs or stone circles known from north or east Cork. Two of the exceptions are wedge tombs located at Lab-bacallee (CO027-086), which is one of the largest wedge tombs in the country, and at Manning (CO027-091) both located c. 4 km west of the N8.
Recent infrastructural work on the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy and the Ballincollig Bypass have added significantly to the number of Neolithic sites in the county. A Neo-lithic house was excavated at Gortore (E2119), on the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy road and another Neolithic house was excavated at Barnagore (02E0384), along the route of the Ballincollig Bypass. Both of these Cork examples produced essentially the same ra-diocarbon results (cal BC 3940-3620 at Barnagore and cal BC 3928-3655 from Gortore) and they represent the oldest known houses in the county. A single pit at Fermoy town-land (05E0078), located c. 3 km to the south of Gortore, produced 12 sherds of a Middle Neolithic Globular bowl, and another site at Curraghprevin (c.12 km south of Gortore) produced Western Neolithic (Early Neolithic) pottery and a radiocarbon date of 3090-2580 BC (Late Neolithic).
Rectangular Neolithic houses were recorded on the route of the N8 FM at Gortore 1b (E2410), Ballinglanna North 3 (E2416) and Caherdrinny 3 (E2422). A large enclosure containing several structures associated with Late Neolithic pottery was excavated at Bal-lynacarriaga 3 (E2412). Activity dating to the Neolithic was also recorded at Ballynamona 1 (E2428), Ballynamona 2 (E2429), and Gortnahown 2 (E2426) and Gortore 2 (E3973).
Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 500 BC)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; over 2,000 examples have been recorded in County Cork alone. 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 ‘cooking places’, whereby stones
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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 wa-ter. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and charcoal that were removed, forming the basis of the familiar mound.
The Bronze Age cemetery site at Mitchelstowndown West, c. 16 km to the north of Mitchelstown, contains 53 small barrows. The Discovery Programme Report 1 (Daly and Grogan 1992, 44) selected four of this group for excavation.
Until recently, Bronze Age settlement sites were a rarity in North Cork. A Bronze Age occupation site was recorded underlying the medieval ringfort Lisleagh I (CO027-158) c. 2.5 km to the west of the N8 (Power et al. 2000, 210). A house site was excavated at Killydonoghoe on the route of the N8 Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass (Sherlock 2003). Three circular houses dating to the Middle Bronze Age were excavated at Mitchelstown (04E1072) on the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. A large Bronze Age settlement site con-sisting of three circular enclosures and three circular houses was excavated in 2003 at Ballybrowney (03E1058), on the route of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy (Cotter 2005, 40).
Bronze Age round houses were recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitchelstown at Kilshanny 1 (E2432) and Ballynamona 2 (E2429). Burnt mounds/fulachta fiadh sites were recorded at Ballinglanna North 1 (E2414), Ballinglanna North 3 (E2416), Balling-lanna North 6 (E3972), Ballynamona 2 (E2429), Caherdrinny 1 (E2420), Kilshanny 3 (E2432) and Kildrum 1 (E3971). Two ring ditches and associated cists and pits burials were recorded at Ballynacarriga 3 (E2412). Portions of several encrusted urns and food vessels dating to the Early Bronze Age were recorded in association with the burials. A cremation burial and associated Early Bronze Age urn were also recorded at Glenatlucky (E2427).
Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)Until the last decade there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in the Cork region. 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 monu-ments of the period. Recent infrastructural work on the N22 Ballincollig Bypass, the N8 Glanmire Watergrasshill Bypass and the M8 Rathcormac Fermoy has altered the picture considerably.
Three separate stretches of a linear boundary, the Claidh Dubh, have been recorded in County Cork. The longest stretch, c. 24 km in length extends from the Nagle Mountains, across the Blackwater valley and into the Ballyhoura Hills. Radiocarbon dating following excavation of a section of it revealed it dated to some time before AD100 (Doody 1995, 23).
Two of the four hillfort sites in Cork are located in North Cork (Power et al. 2000, 205). Caherdrinny (CO019:97/01&03) is located at the western end of the Kilworth Mountains, c. 700 m to the west of the N8, Corrin (CO035:49/01) is located at the east-
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ern end of the Nagle Mountains, overlooking a pass between the Blackwater and Bride river valleys just south of Fermoy.
Iron Age dates were returned from a roundhouse at Ballinaspig More 5 01E0546, a possible bowl furnace at Curraheen 1 01E1209 and the fulacht fiadh at Curraheen 4 02E1297 on the N22 Ballincollig Bypass; the Iron Age structure at Muckridge 1 01E0429 on the N25 Youghal Bypass; iron working sites at Kilrussane 01E0701 and Trabstown 01E0501 on the N8 Glanmire Watergrasshill Bypass; the iron working site at Lisnagar De-mesne 1 03E1510, the pit at Maulane East 1 03E1286, the pit at Scartbarry 3 03E1800, the corn-drying kiln at Rath-healy 1 03E1139, the burnt mound at Fermoy Wood 04E1014 and the ring ditch at Ballybrowney Lower 3 05E0233 all on the M8 Rathcormac Fermoy.
Activity dating to the Iron Age was recorded on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitch-elstown at Ballinglanna North 3 E2416, Ballinglanna North 4 E2417, Ballynacarriaga 3 E2412, Gortnahown 1 E2423, Gortnahown 3 E2477 and Caherdrinny 3 E2422. The sites, with the exception of a single fire pit at Ballinglanna North 4 E2417, did not date exclusively to the Iron Age.
Early medieval period (c. AD 500 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).
A major research excavation of two ringforts was undertaken at Lisleagh, c. 2.5 km to the west of the N8 route, in the late 1980s/early1990s. Structural, domestic and industrial evidence was recorded at both sites. A number of stake and wattle round houses, and ironworking were recorded in Lisleagh I, which had two phases of occupation, ranging from the early 7th century to the 9th century AD (Monk 1995, 105-116).
Souterrains, frequently associated with ringforts and enclosures, are man made un-derground chambers linked by narrow passageways. The concealed entrance is located at ground level. It is thought souterrains were used for storage or places of refuge during times of trouble (Clinton 2001). It has also been hypothesised that some may have been used for housing slaves.
The monastery of Brigown (which gave the name to the modern parish in Mitch-elstown) was founded in the 7th century by Fanahan. Fanahan is reputed to have com-missioned seven smiths to make seven sickles which were used by him for self-mortifica-tion. The new monastery was named, Brí Gabhann, for the smiths (Power 1996, 3). The ecclesiastical remains comprise a church, graveyard, holy well and site of round tower
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(CO019:30/01-05). A possible enclosure site with evidence of metalworking was excavated by John Purcell in Brigown. This was possibly the enclosure of Brigown. No dates were obtained from the site (John Purcell personal communication).
A horizontal-wheeled mill (CO027-108) was located on the northern side of the Glen-corra Stream c. 120 m north of the confluence with the River Funshion.
A ringfort and associated souterrain (CO027-109) were excavated on the route of the N8 Fermoy – Mitchelstown at Ballynacarriga 2 (E2413). Two circular houses and a com-prehensive range of metalworking activities were excavated at Gortnahown 2 (E2426). Sites with evidence of metalworking activities were also excavated at Ballynamona 2 (E2429) and Ballinglanna North 1 (E2412).
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 tower houses. Mitchelstown was formerly known as Brigown / Mitchelstown (CO019-149). It was listed as a market town in 1299 and was located on the southern bank of the Gradoge River, to the east of Mitchelstown Castle (Power et al. 2000, 595). The town developed under the patronage of the House of Desmond. It passed into the hands of the Earls of Kingston in the 17th century (Power 1996, 23).
The Condon family controlled the barony of Condons and Clongibbon. Two of their castles are located in close vicinity to the route of the N8 FM. Cloghleagh Castle (CO027:113) is located on the northern bank of the Funshion River to the east of the new route. It was built on an outcrop of limestone bedrock. It is a 5-storey tower with associated bawn wall (Power et al. 2000, 537). Caherdrinny Castle (CO019:97/02) is lo-cated to the west of the route. It was a 5-storey tower built within the hillfort enclosure (CO019:97/01&03). Glanworth Castle (Boherash CO027-42) is located on a sheer lime-stone cliff overlooking the River Funshion 5 km to the west of the route. The 13th-century hall house is associated with a four-sided walled enclosure (ibid. 516).
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). Three de-mesnes associated with country houses are within the route of the N8 at Moorepark, Ballynacarriga and Glenwood. The estate system was dismantled in Ireland in the early 20th century. Demesnes usually comprise of a large country house with associated stables, farm buildings and gate lodges, areas of woodland and ornamental gardens etc. The de-mesne was usually enclosed by a high stone wall such as that associated with Moorepark. Moorepark house and demesne was the seat of the Earls Mountcashell (Lewis 1988, 312). The Moorepark Estate covered an area around 800 acres and extended both north and south of the river Funshion. The house was sold to the British War Office c. 1903 by the 5th Earl’s daughter (Bence-Jones 1996, 211). It burned down in 1908 and was never
Sligo
MayoRoscommon
Galway
Clare
Leitrim
Cavan
Longford
Westmeath
Tipperary
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
WexfordKilkenny
Carlow
Wicklow
Kildare
Dublin
Meath
Louth
Laois
Donegal Antrim
Armagh
Derry
DownFermanagh
Tyrone
Clare
Offaly
Limerick
Kerry
Cork
Waterford
Antrim
N8
RMP Sheet No. CO10RMP Sheet No. CO11
MP Sheet No. CO19 RMP Sheet No. CO20
RMP Sheet No. CO27
RMP Sheet No. CO28
Key
Townland Boundaries
Gortore 1BE2410
Gortore 2E3973
Ballynacarriga 1E2411
Ballynacarriga 2E2413
Ballinglanna North 1E2414
Ballinglanna North 3E2416
Ballinglanna North 4E2417
Ballinglanna North 5E2418
Ballinrush 1E2419
Caherdrinny 1E2420
Caherdrinny 2E2421
Caherdrinny 3E2422
Gortnahown 1E2423
Gortnahown 2E2426
Gortnahown 3E2477
Glenatluckly 1E2427
Ballynamona 2E2429
Ballynamona 1E2428
Garryleagh 1E2433
Carrigane 1E2434
Kilshanny 3E2432
Kilshanny 2E2431
Kilshanny 1E2430
Kildrum 1E3971
Ballynacarriga 3E2412
Ballinglanna North 2E2415
Gortnahown 4E3832
Ballinglanna North 6E3972
Ballynamona 1E2428
N
0km 2km
Prehistoric Settlement Site
Post Medieval
Early Medieval
Prehistoric Site
Burnt Mound
Non-archaeological
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Figure3: The route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass overlain on the first edition Ordnance Survey mapCO010,011,019,020,027and028�
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rebuilt. No trace of it now survives The demesne is clearly defined by woodland on the 1841-2 and 1906 edition Ordnance Survey maps, which was most likely enclosed by a wall. It is likely that the demesne walls are contemporary with the mansion house and therefore date to the 18th century. The Cork to Dublin mail coach road originally ran to west of the demesne walls as it appears on the 1841-2 and 1906 Ordnance Survey maps.
The site of a workhouse (C0019-11301-) built in 1852 is located in Kilshanny townland to the east of Mitchelstown. The complex of buildings, including a hospital chapel and mortuary, was enclosed within a three-metre high limestone wall and could accommo-date up to 600 people. Closed in 1916 and burned by the IRA in 1922, only the boundary wall and main entrance way survive today (Power 2002, 48).
A late 19th century bridge of rubble limestone, approached by a causeway at either end, carries a tertiary road from Kilworth-Glanworth over the Glencorra Stream. A road crosses the stream at the same location on the 1841-2 Ordnance survey map, but the bridging structure is not named. The site is named Glencorra Bridge on the 1906 edition of the Ordnance Survey map and is of local architectural significance.
5 Site Location and TopographyThe site was situated on a flat plain, in a low lying area between the hills and mountains in the surrounding landscape (Plate 1). The site slopes slightly from the east down towards the west of the area of excavation.
The site is split into two areas (Figure 4) covering a distance of 95 m north to south. Area 1 measured 25 m north/south and 31 m east/west and Area 2 measured 22 m north/south and 33 m east/west. They had a combined area of 1067 sq. m. The northern extent lay approximately 500 m south of Ballynamona 2 (where metalworking furnaces, a fulacht fiadh/burnt mound and associated structure and two probably Bronze Age round houses were excavated) while the southern extent lay 650 m north of the Encrusted urn crema-tion burial at Glentalucky 1.
6 Excavation methodologyThe excavation was carried out under E-Number E2428 and complied with the method statement approved by the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Govern-ment, in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland. The site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision. Stripping was done with a tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Where appropriate mini-diggers were used, and in the larger areas to be stripped multiple large tracked machines were used; all stripping operations involved the use of multiple dumpers for topsoil mounding. Topsoil stripping commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially out-ward 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 archaeologi-
89
31
71
3
39 11
67 7663
5557
47
81
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97
27
50
34
49
91
4
10
60
107
72
86
42
101
5135 37
1826
00
1826
00
1827
00
1827
00
111450
111450
111500
111500±
050
m
Area
1
Area
2
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cal features were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and meaningful record of the site to be preserved (Plate 2). 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 statements for excavation licences.
The site was excavated from 26/02/07 to 16/03/07. Only areas within the CPO were resolved. The full extent of the area of excavation at Area 1 measured 492 m2 and Area 2 measured 575 m2.
7 Excavation resultsThe full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register (Appendix 1) and the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3) and the artefacts are listed in the finds register (Appendix 4).
The site at Ballynamona 1 was discovered during Phase 1 archaeological testing of the new route, carried out under licence no. 05E1150 (Cotter et al 2006). Features found during testing included six pits, some containing prehistoric pottery. The site was clas-sified as a prehistoric settlement site on the basis of testing results. Excavation revealed
Plate1: ViewoftheexcavationatBallynamona1(Area1)withthesurroundinghillsvisibleintheback-ground,fromthenorth-west(Photo:JohnSunderland)�
45
31
3
39
11
47
2421
27
50
34
49
4
10
42
51
35 37
1826
00
1826
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1826
25
1826
25
111450
111450
111465
111465±
020
mAr
ea 1Ar
ea 2
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nine pits, two post-holes and a linear feature in Area 1 and 12 pits and two linear features from Area 2.
Area 1The archaeology in Area 1 included pits, post-holes and linear features (Figure 5, Plate 3).
PitsA total of nine pits were found in Area 1 (C.3, C.10, C.11, C.21, C.24, C.27, C.34, C.39 and C.42). The fills of all of these pits contained charcoal and the similarity in their fills may suggest that these were all the result of the same type of activity. However, the exact function of these pits is difficult determine. Charcoal from the fill of pit C.34, identified as hazel/alder, indicated activity in the Early Bronze Age, cal BC 1889–1750 (UB-13173).
Post-holesTwo post-holes were located in the centre of Area 1 (C.35 and C.37). On average they measured 0.32 m in length, 0.22 m in width and 0.13 m in depth. They were sub-circular in shape and had steeply sloping sides. The fills of both post-holes contained moderate charcoal inclusions. There is no indication of their function, and no associated features to indicate whether they originally formed part of a structure or a simple fence-line. They
Plate2: WorkingshotofexcavationsatBallynamona1(Photo:JohnSunderland)�
Late
Neo
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- Ves
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Early
Bro
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Age
Vase
Urn
- Ve
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2
89
7167
76
63
55
57
81
97
91
60
107
72
86
101
1826
75
1826
75
1827
00
1827
00
111480
111480
111492
111492
111504
111504±
020
m
Area
1
Area
2
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may also have been simple marking posts to indicate the location of below ground pits such as pit C.39, which is found immediately adjacent to the two post-holes.
Context Length Width DepthC.35 0.4 0.25 0.18C.37 0.24 0.2 0.08
Table1:Post-holedimensions
Linear featuresA single linear feature (C.45) was uncovered in Area 1. It was aligned north to south and measured 0.84 in width and 0.2 in depth; the length of the linear feature extended beyond the limit of the excavation. This linear feature represents a drainage ditch that was re-quired in order to remove water from low-lying Area 1. This feature probably represented a modern agricultural ditch, indicating that it post-dated the other archaeological activity on this site.
Area 2The archaeology in Area 2 included pits (some of which contained funerary pottery) and two linear features (Figure 6).
Pits A total of 12 pits were excavated in Area 2. These can be divided into three separate categories: pits that contained prehistoric pottery (C.55 and C.86), three pits associated
Plate3: ViewoftheexcavationatBallynamona1(Area1),fromthenorth(Photo:JohnSunderland)�
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with pit C.55 (C.57, C.60 and C.63) and seven other charcoal-filled pits (C.67, C.71, C.72, C.76, C.81, C.91 and C.107).
Prehistoric pottery was found in two pits (C.55 and C.86) in Area 2. The first (C.55) was oval in shape and concave in profile and it measured 0.85 m in length, 0.74 m in width and 0.1 m in depth. The pit contained thirty-six sherds of a Vase urn (E2428:56:1-58) and charcoal fragments. The pottery was identified as being from a single vessel (Ves-sel 2, Figure 7). Although this pottery type is usually associated with burial there was no cremated bone in this pit and it therefore appears that this particular Vase urn was not used as funerary ware.
The second pit (C.86) was located 8.5 m to the west of the pit (C.55). It was sub-circu-lar in shape and concave in profile and it measured 0.5 m in length, 0.4 m in width and 0.12 m in depth (Plate 4). Occasional charcoal pieces were recovered from both fills and nine sherds of prehistoric pottery (E2428:87:1-9) were recovered from the primary fill of this feature, all identified as being from one Grooved Ware vessel (Vessel 1, Figure 8). The pottery indicates activity in the Late Neolithic. Hazel/alder charcoal found within this pit returned a radiocarbon date of cal BC 3760–3644 (UB-12975), indicating an Early Neolithic date of activity. This pit appeared heavily truncated in modern times (possibly due to agricultural activities).
Although these two pits were the only contexts at the site where pottery was found, the two contexts appear to be unrelated since the pottery from the pit (C.55) was Late Neolithic while the pottery from pit (C.86) was Early Bronze Age.
Plate4: Post-excavationviewofpossiblecremationpit(C�86),fromnorth�
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There were three more pits (C.57, C.60 and C.63) found in close proximity to the pit (C.55). On average the pits measured 0.88 m in length, 0.64 m in width and 0.2 m in depth. One pit (C.57) was oval in shape, but it was extremely shallow and was probably heavily truncated. A second pit (C.60) was irregular in shape and its primary fill was a firm mid reddish orange sandy clay (C.62). This evidence of in situ burning indicated that this pit may have been some type of pyre for cremating human remains. The third pit (C.63) contained three fills, two of which had concentrated charcoal deposits within them. This may have been a dump of waste burnt material resulting from the burning of human remains.
Figure7: IllustrationofEarlyBronzeAgeVaseUrn,Vessel2�
0 cm 3 cm
a b c
Figure8: IllustrationofLateNeolithicGroovedWare,Vessel1�
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Pit type Context Length Width DepthPit with Late Neolithic pottery
55 0.85 0.74 0.1
Pit with Early Bronze Age pottery
86 0.5 0.4 0.12
Pit 57 0.86 0.64 0.08Pit 60 0.9 0.52 0.18Pit 63 0.9 0.78 0.34
Table2:Pitdimensions
Other pitsA total of seven other pits (for example Plates 5, 6 and 7) were found in Area 2 (C.67, C.71, C.72, C.76, C.81, C.91 and C.107). Like the nine pits from Area 1, the fills of all of these pits contained charcoal (see, for example, the charcoal-rich fill in C.91, Plate 8). The fills were relatively similar to the charcoal-filled pits from Area 1 and they may have served similar functions in the past. However, the exact nature of their use is unknown.
Linear featuresA total of two parallel linear features (C.77 and C.80) were discovered in Area 2. The linear feature (C.77) was aligned north to south and measured 1.5 in width and 0.45 in depth (Plate 9). The linear feature (C.80) was located 1.95 m to the west. It was aligned north to south and measured 1.6 m in width and 0.3 in depth. These two liner features represent two parallel field boundaries. These may have been contemporary but were
Plate5: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�72),fromsouth-west�
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more likely an initial boundary that was later replaced. The sterile nature of the fills of the three features suggests that they naturally silted up over time and post-dated the intense burning activity that occurred in this area. This indicates that these features are later in date than the other activity at the site and possibly represent modern agricultural activity.
Natural featuresA total of ten natural features were observed across Area 1 and Area 2. In Area 1, six features were observed (C.4, C.31, C.47, C.49, C.50 and C.51). In Area 2 four natural features were found (C.89, C.97, C.101 and C.103). The irregularity in shape, the lack of depth and sterile fills of these features suggests that they are natural in origin, possibly vegetation bowls. Four of the ten natural features contained charcoal within their fills. The charcoal inclusions within their fills are most likely the result of contamination by surrounding burning activity.
CharcoalCharcoal from this site was identified by Mary Dillon in advance of radiocarbon dating. The results indicate that wood species such as hazel (Corylus) and Alder (Alnus) were used at the site.
Plate6: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�76),fromnorth-east�
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Plate7: Post-excavationviewofpit(C�71)�
Plate8: Partiallyexcavatedviewofpit(C�91),showingcharcoal-richfill,fromnorth�
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Plant remainsThe plant remains from this site were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 5). Fifteen samples from this site were scanned for plant remains but material was only recovered from five of these: C.64 (S.44), C.73 (S.53), C.87 (S.62), C.88 (S.63) and C.76/C.94 (S.70). All of the plant material was identified as fragments of hazelnut shell fragments and this is not considered a significant assemblage.
PotteryPottery was the only artefact-type retrieved from this site. It was examined by Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan (Appendix 6). The pit (C.86) contained fifteen sherds of Late Neolithic Grooved Ware, all from a single vessel (Vessel 1). This example included some unusual forms of decoration for this type of pottery. There was also carbonised residue on the interior surface of some sherds and this indicates that the vessel was originally used for cooking.
Early Bronze Age pottery was also identified; 66 sherds from a Vase urn (Vessel 2) was identified from another cremation pit (C.55). Once again, carbonised residue is present on the interior surface of this vessel, although Vase urns are not generally seen as cooking vessels.
Plate9: South-eastfacingsectionoflinearfeature(C�77)�
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
24
The pottery results indicate archaeological activity that is spread from the Late Neo-lithic to the Early Bronze Age, with Grooved Ware usually dated to c. 2900 – 2450 BC and pottery from the Vase Tradition usually dated to c. 1903 – 1830 BC. This suggests a significant gap between the depositions of these separate pottery vessels. The composition of the pottery from this site is similar to that retrieved from the nearby site of Ballyna-carriga 3, where Late Neolithic Grooved Ware and Early Bronze Age vessels in the Vase Tradition were found in much larger quantities.
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-cali-brated date
δ 13 C 2 sigma calibration
1 sigma calibration
Period
UB-12975
C.88 (fill of pit C.86)With Grooved Ware pottery
Hazel/Alder (Corylus/ Alnus) charcoal
4912 +/- 25 -27.0 cal BC 3760-3742 3731-3730 3714-3644
cal BC 3698-3658
Early Neolithic
UB-13173
C.41 (fill of pit C.34 in Area 1)
Hazel (Corylus) charcoal (0.2 g)
3499 +/- 24 -26.2 cal BC 1889-1750
cal BC 1880-1867 1848-1774
Early Bronze Age
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9 DiscussionThe archaeological results from Ballynamona 1 indicated that there was some Early Neo-lithic activity in Area 2 (hazel and alder charcoal returned an Early Neolithic radiocarbon date). This is combined with artefactual (ceramic) evidence from Area 2, where Late Neo-lithic and Early Bronze Age pottery types were recovered.
Early Neolithic radiocarbon dates were recovered from numerous sites excavated along the route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown (see Figure 9). These included sites at Ballinglanna North 3, Caherdrinny 3 and Gortore 1b (where typical Early Neolithic houses were excavated), as well as Ballynacarriga 3 (where Early Neolithic dates were obtained from deposits, but were not associated with any definite occupation from this period). The results from Ballynamona 1 fall into a similar category as those obtained from Ballynacarriga 3: the date indicates some form of activity in the Early Neolithic, but the exact nature of this activity is unclear.
The site at Ballynamona 1 contained two pits with prehistoric pottery, dated to the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. The Late Neolithic pottery from the site, iden-tified as Grooved Ware, is a type that is not necessarily associated with burials, but does appear to have ritualistic connotations. It is often found associated with passage tombs and timber circles (Grogan et al. 2007, 136 – 9). It is also usually associated with high quality material culture (Cooney 2000, 17). However, at Ballynamona 1, although several pits were excavated near the area where Grooved Ware was found, there was no identifi-able pattern in the archaeological features: they do not appear to have formed a circle, or portion of a circle. There was also no evidence for other high status cultural material at this site.
The fact that an Early Neolithic date was returned from charcoal within a pit where Late Neolithic pottery was also found suggests that there was some residual material at the site during Late Neolithic occupation at the site. It is possible that this was from ear-lier occupation, or alternatively that it was simply old wood that was burnt in the Late Neolithic.
Carbonised residue adhered to the interior of the Early Bronze Age Vase urn found at Ballynamona 1 (Appendix 6). This find suggests that at Ballynamona 1 this pot was used for domestic purposes. In fact, the evidence from other pottery vessels from the Vase tra-dition found along the route of the N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown route suggests that this was the norm: carbonised residue was found on the interior surfaces of all three encrusted urns discovered at Ballynacarriga 3 and Glenatlucky, in one vessel the deposits were very thick. Carbonised residue was also found on the interior surfaces of two of the three food vessels found at Ballynacarriga 3. All of these vessels belong to the Early Bronze Age Vase tradition and are usually associated with burials (Waddell 1998, 144 – 5) and at Ballyna-carriga 3 and Glenatlucky they pottery was associated with cremated bone. The absence of cremated bone from Ballynamona 1 and the more domestic nature of the site could suggest that funerary urns were also occasionally used in settlement contexts.
Blackwater
Araglin
Funshion
Duag
Farahy
Awbeg
Tar
Ogeen
Keale
Douglas
Sheep
Gradoge
Glenmore
Glencorra
Glenfinish
Glounaga
dFunshion
Shanbally
Blackwater
Funshion
KILW
OR
TH M
OU
NTA
INS
BALL
YHOURA MOUNTAINS
GA
LTY
MO
UN
TAIN
S
MIT
CH
ELST
OW
N
FER
MO
Y
1746
94
1746
94
1896
94
1896
94
103574
103574
112074
112074
Bar
row
(24)
Cai
rn (3
)
Cav
e (3
)
Ker
b ci
rcle
(2)
Lith
ic S
catte
r (5
)
Meg
alith
ic to
mb
(3)
Set
tlem
ent (
14)
Sta
ndin
g st
one
(19)
¢0
10
Kilo
met
res
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
26
Figu
re9
:N
eolit
hic
site
son
and
inth
een
viro
nso
fthe
N8
Ferm
oyM
itche
lsto
wn�
Ballynamona 1-E2428
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On the other hand, the absence of cremated bone may simply indicate that these pits were not burials deposits, but ‘blind’ burials or cenotaphs instead (i.e. deposits that con-tained cremation deposit or pyre-like material, but no bone). This was widely identified at Killoran 10, Lisheen, Co. Tipperary and along the route of the gas pipeline to the west (Grogan et al. 2007, 118). In the case of Ballynamona 1 the deposits, although contain-ing some charcoal, did not appear to be pyre material. This suggests that the deposits are not blind burials. However, whether these are formal deposits or the remains of domestic occupation at Ballynamona 1 is unclear. What is clear is the fact that the Early Bronze Age material from Ballynamona 1 is found within a landscape where there is significant evidence for contemporary activity (Figure 10).
The recovery of Early Neolithic radiocarbon dates and both Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age pottery suggests a relatively long-lived phase of occupation/use at Ballyna-mona 1. The pottery evidence also indicates a continuity between the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. This is common and Early Bronze Age activity often masked Late Neolithic material (Cooney 2000, 17). In total, the Early Neolithic radiocarbon date from Area 1 suggests that it significantly predates the activity from Area 2, where artefactual and radiocarbon dates indicates activity from the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age.
Blackwater
Araglin
Funshion
Duag
Farahy
Awbeg
Tar
Ogeen
Keale
Douglas
Sheep
Gradoge
Glenmore
Glencorra
Glenfinish
Glounaga
d
Funshion
Shanbally
Blackwater
Funshion
KILW
OR
TH M
OU
NTA
INS
BALL
YHOURA MOUNTAINS
GA
LTY
MO
UN
TAIN
S
MIT
CH
ELST
OW
N
FER
MO
Y
1746
94
1746
94
1896
94
1896
94
103574
103574
112074
112074
Bar
row
(25)
Bur
ial (
33)
Cai
rn (3
)
Cav
e (3
)
Fula
cht F
iadh
(163
)
Ker
b ci
rcle
(2)
Lith
ic S
catte
r (5
)
Set
tlem
ent (
22)
Sta
ndin
g st
one
(19)
¢0
10
Kilo
met
res
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
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Figu
re1
0:E
arly
Bro
nze
Age
site
son
and
inth
een
viro
nso
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N8
Ferm
oyM
itche
lsto
wn�
Ballynamona 1-E2428
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10 ReferencesBarry, T. (1987) The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland. London, Methuen & Co. Ltd.
Bence-Jones, M. (1996) A Guide to Irish County Houses. London, Constable & Co. Ltd.
Clinton, M. (2001) The Souterrains of Ireland. Bray, Wordwell.
Cooney, G. (2000) Landscapes of Neolithic Ireland. London, Routledge.
Cotter, E., Buckley, K. & Drumm, M. (2006) N8 Fermoy Mitchelstown Phase 1 – final archaeological testing report, unpublished report for licence no. 05E1150.
Cotter, E. (2005) ‘Bronze Age Ballybrowney, Co. Cork’, Recent Archaeological Discoveries on National Road Schemes 2004. National Roads Authority Monograph Series No.2.
Daly, A. and Grogan, E (1992) ‘Excavation of Four Barrows in Mitchelstowndown West, Knocklong, Co. Limerick’, Discovery Programme Reports 1. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.
Doody, M. (1995) ‘Ballyhoura Hills project’, Discovery Programme Reports 2, 12-44. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy.
Gardiner, M.J. and Radford,T. (1980) Soil Assocaitions of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. Dublin, An Foras Talúntais.
Gowen, M. (1988) Three Irish Gas pipelines: new archaeological evidence in Munster. Dublin, Wordwell.
Grogan, E., O’Donnell, L. and Johnston, P. (2007) The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West. Bray, Wordwell.
Lewis, S. (1988) Lewis’ Cork: A Topographical Dictionary of the Parishes, Towns and Villages of Cork City and County. Cork, Collins Press.
Monk, M. (1995) ‘A Tale of Two Ringforts Lisleagh I and II’, Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Vol.100,.105-116.
Power, D., Lane, S. and Byrne, E., Egan, U., Sleeman, M., with Cotter, E., Monk, J. (2000) Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 4: North Cork Parts I & II. Dublin, The Stationery Office.
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
30
Power, B. (1996) From the Danes to Dairygold A History of Mitchelstown. Mount Cashell Books.
Power, B. (2002) Images of Mitchelstown, Stories and pictures from my own place. Mount Cashell Books.
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.
Sherlock, R. (2003) ‘Killydonoghoe’ Bennett, I. (Ed) Excavations 2001. Bray, Wordwell.
Sleeman, A.G., & McConnell, B. (1995) Geology of East Cork-Waterford. Dublin, Geological Survey of Ireland.
Stout, M. (1997) The Irish Ringfort. Dublin, Four Courts Press.
Waddell, J. (1998) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Galway, Galway University Press.
Woodman, P. McCarthy, M. and Monaghan, N.T. (1997) ‘The Irish Quaternary Fauna Project’, Quaternary Science Reviews 16 (2), 129-159.
Woodman, P.C. (1989) ‘The Mesolithic in Munster: a preliminary assessment’, pp. 116 – 124 in Bonsall, C. (ed) The Mesolithic in Europe. Edinburgh, John Donald.
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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App
endi
x 1
Stra
tigra
phic
Ind
ex
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 1
Tops
oil
2
Dar
k br
owni
sh si
lty c
lay
of lo
ose c
ompa
ctio
n w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all a
ngul
ar st
ones
.Ex
tent
of t
renc
h cu
t
2N
atur
al
1
C
ompa
ct re
ddish
/yel
low
/ora
nge s
andy
cla
y w
ith a
little
silt.
Con
-ta
inin
g oc
casio
nal s
mal
l and
med
ium
ang
ular
ston
es.
Exte
nt o
f tre
nch
cut
3C
ut
6, 7,
97
2O
val,
flat b
otto
med
pit
with
gra
dual
bre
ak o
f slo
pe a
nd g
entle
sm
ooth
side
s. Fi
lls =
C6,
C7
and
C9.
0.9
x 0.
54 x
0.3
-0.4
4C
ut
5, 8
82
Very
shal
low
irre
gula
r sha
ped
pit.
Mos
t lik
ely to
be a
nat
ural
de
pres
sion
filled
with
tops
oil.
0.7
x 0.
5 x
0.08
5Fi
ll4
1
8U
pper
fill.
Firm
dar
k br
owni
sh b
lack
cla
yey
silt w
ith o
ccas
iona
l su
b-an
gula
r peb
bles
. Also
with
occ
asio
nal f
lecks
and
mod
erat
e sm
all p
iece
s of c
harc
oal.
0.5
x 0.
3 x
0.04
6Fi
ll3
1
9U
pper
fill.
Ver
y so
ft da
rk b
lack
silt
with
freq
uent
cha
rcoa
l flec
ks.
Upp
er fi
ll of
flat
bot
tom
ed p
it C
3.0.
3 x
0.18
x 0
.08
7Fi
ll3
9
3Ve
ry so
ft lig
ht b
row
n cl
ay si
lt w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all s
ub-a
ngul
ar
stone
s and
freq
uent
cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. F
ill o
f C3
(low
er).
Co-
ordi
-na
tes:
A - 9
7.8E
/108
.65N
; B -
97.3
5E/1
07.6
6N.
1.0
x ? X
0.3
8Fi
ll4
5
4Fi
rm li
ght p
inki
sh b
row
n cl
ay si
lt w
ith o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l fle
cks.
Thi
s is t
he lo
wer
fill
of ir
regu
lar s
hallo
w (0
.08m
) pit.
M
ost l
ikely
a na
tura
l fea
ture
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 99.
74E/
115.
0N;
B - 9
9.67
E/11
4.0N
.
? X 1
.8 x
1.8
9Fi
ll3
6
7So
ft lig
ht w
hite
sand
y cl
ay. S
mal
l dep
osit
with
in fi
ll C
7 of
pit
C3.
C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
7.8E
/108
.65N
, B -
97.3
5E/1
07.6
6N.
? X 0
.1 x
0.0
8
10C
ut
13, 1
4, 1
5,
16, 1
7, 18
, 19
182
Ova
l/irr
egul
ar p
it co
ntai
ning
seve
n fil
ls. T
he si
des a
re re
lativ
ely
steep
and
smoo
th w
ith a
n irr
egul
ar c
onca
ve b
ase.
From
read
-in
g th
e she
ets r
elat
ing
to th
is fe
atur
e, bu
t not
act
ually
seei
ng th
e fe
atur
e, it
may
be a
root
bol
e as i
t is i
rreg
ular
with
a nu
mbe
r of
lense
s and
a co
uple
of d
epre
ssio
ns. O
ne su
gges
ted
as a
stake
hole
filled
by
C14
, thi
s may
be a
resu
lt of
root
act
ion.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 98
.95E
/108
.8N
; B -
98.7
6E/1
07.6
5N.
1.1
x 0.
6 x
0.4
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
32
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 11
Cut
12
, 20
122
A la
rge i
rreg
ular
shap
ed sh
allo
w p
it w
ith c
onca
ve si
des a
nd a
n ir-
regu
lar b
ase.
Thi
s pit
appe
ars n
atur
al, h
owev
er a
poss
ible
post
hole
is lo
cate
d to
war
ds th
e S. T
he fi
lls c
onta
in sm
all c
harc
oal f
lecks
, ho
wev
er th
e fea
ture
still
app
ears
nat
ural
in st
ruct
ure.
Co-
ordi
-na
tes:
A - 9
9.36
E/11
6.55
N; 9
9.75
E/11
5.49
N.
1.3
x 1.
05 x
0.2
5
12Fi
ll11
20
11C
ompa
ct li
ght y
ello
w b
row
n sil
ty c
lay
with
mod
erat
e flec
ks
and
smal
l pie
ces o
f cha
rcoa
l. T
his w
as th
e fill
of t
he p
ossib
le po
stho
le sit
uate
d at
the S
edge
of p
t C11
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 99
.36E
/116
.55N
; 99.
75E/
115.
49N
.
0.6
x 0.
4 x
0.25
13Fi
ll10
1
15Ve
ry so
ft da
rk b
lack
cla
y w
ith fr
eque
nt sm
all c
harc
oal p
iece
s. T
his i
s the
upp
erm
ost f
ill o
f irr
egul
ar p
it C
10. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
98.9
5E/1
08.8
N; B
- 98
.76E
/107
.65N
.
0.5
x 0.
45 x
0.0
6
14Fi
ll10
17
16, 1
9Ve
ry so
ft m
id p
inki
sh b
row
n cl
ayey
silt
with
freq
uent
cha
rcoa
l fle
cks.
Thi
s was
filli
ng w
hat a
ppea
red
to b
e a sm
all s
take
hole
at
the W
of t
he la
rger
cut
C10
. It m
ay a
lso b
e roo
t act
ion.
Co-
ordi
-na
tes:
A - 9
8.95
E/10
8.8N
; B -
98.7
6E/1
07.6
5N.
? X 0
.4 X
0.14
15Fi
ll10
13
17So
ft m
id y
ello
w sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal f
lecks
of c
harc
oal.
One
of s
even
fills
of p
it C
10. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
8.95
E/10
8.8N
; B
- 98.
76E/
107.6
5N.
? X 0
.2 X
0.1
16Fi
ll10
14
18So
ft m
id y
ello
w b
row
n cl
ayey
silt
with
mod
erat
e cha
rcoa
l flec
ks.
One
of s
even
fills
of p
it (tr
ee b
ole)
C10
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 98
.95E
/108
.8N
; B -
98.7
6E/1
07.6
5N.
? X 0
.3 X
0.0
8
17Fi
ll10
15
14Fi
rm li
ght y
ello
wish
whi
te sa
ndy
clay
. No
char
coal
. A th
in
lens m
akin
g on
e of s
even
fills
in p
it C
10. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
98.9
5E/1
08.8
N; B
- 98
.76E
/107
.65N
.
? X 0
.11 x
0.0
2
18Fi
ll10
16
, 19
10Fi
rm li
ght w
hite
sand
y cl
ay, b
asal
fill
of p
it C
10. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
98.9
5E/1
08.8
N; B
- 98
.76E
/107
.65N
. ? X
0.1
2 X
0.07
19Fi
ll10
14
18Fi
rm li
ght y
ello
w sa
ndy
clay
, sid
e/ba
sal f
ill o
f C10
. Thi
s fill
is
situa
ted
alon
g th
e N ed
ge o
f the
cut
, sug
gest
ing
the f
ill sl
umpe
d in
from
the s
ide,
poss
ibly
soon
afte
r the
cut
was
ope
ned.
Thi
s fill
is
steril
e fro
m a
ny o
rgan
ic m
ater
ial a
nd m
ay b
e the
orig
inal
soil
extr
acte
d fro
m th
e pit,
or c
avity
whe
re th
e loo
sene
d na
tura
l soi
l re
-fille
d. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
8.95
E/10
8.8N
; B -
98.7
6E/1
07.6
5N.
? X 0
.1 x
0.2
3
Ballynamona 1-E2428
33
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2428-ballynamona1-co-cork/
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 20
Fill
11
112
Firm
mid
bro
wn
silty
cla
y w
ith m
oder
ate s
mal
l sub
-ang
ular
sto
nes a
nd o
ccas
iona
l sm
all p
iece
s and
smal
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his
is a m
ixed
fill
of to
psoi
l and
nat
ural
soils
. Thi
s fea
ture
wou
ld
be o
f a n
atur
al o
rigin
, a n
atur
al d
epre
ssio
n. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
99.3
6E/1
16.5
5N; B
- 99
.75E
/115
.49N
.
0.7
x 0.
5 x
0.08
21C
ut
22, 2
323
2A
shal
low
circ
ular
feat
ure w
ith a
sub-
circ
ular
bas
e. A
ll sid
es
wer
e mod
erat
ely sl
oped
. Thi
s fea
ture
may
be m
oder
n du
e to
the
barb
ed w
ire fo
und
in th
e upp
er fi
ll C
22. T
here
is n
o cle
ar re
latio
n be
twee
n th
e oth
er fe
atur
es. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
2.86
E/11
6.95
N;
B - 9
2.85
E/11
6.23
N.
0.6
x 0.
6 x
0.14
22Fi
ll21
1
23Lo
ose m
id b
row
n sa
nd c
lay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l cha
rcoa
l pi
eces
. Thi
s is t
he u
pper
fill
of a
mos
t lik
ely m
oder
n fe
atur
e du
e to
the b
arbe
d w
ire fo
und
with
in th
is fil
l. T
his f
ill is
one
of
two,
but
is th
e mai
n fil
l. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
2.86
E/11
6.95
N; B
- 9
2.85
E/11
6.23
N.
0.57
x 0
.59
x 0.
14
23Fi
ll21
22
2Fi
rm d
ark
blac
k sil
ty c
lay
with
occ
asio
nal c
oars
e sub
-ang
ular
pe
bble
s. It
cont
aine
d fre
quen
t sm
all p
iece
s and
flec
ks o
f cha
rcoa
l. T
his i
s the
bas
al fi
ll of
C21
. The
peb
bles
wer
e hea
t-affe
cted
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 92.
86E/
116.
95N
; B -
92.8
5E/1
16.2
3N.
0.28
x 0
.25
x 0.
03
24C
ut
25, 2
626
2O
val s
hape
d sh
allo
w fe
atur
e with
roun
ded
corn
ers a
nd m
oder
ately
slo
ped
conc
ave s
ides
. The
bas
e was
ova
l with
a ta
pere
d bl
unt p
oint
. T
his c
ut c
onta
ined
two
fills,
the l
ower
fill
with
mod
erat
e cha
rcoa
l. D
ue to
the s
hallo
w a
nd sl
ight
ly ir
regu
lar n
atur
e of t
his f
eatu
re, i
t m
ay b
e a n
atur
al d
epre
ssio
n ba
ckfil
led b
y su
rrou
ndin
g m
ater
ial.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 102
.10E
/116
.79N
; B -
102.
15E/
117.7
8N.
0.6
x 0.
4 x
0.16
25Fi
ll24
1
26Fi
rm m
id b
row
n sil
ty c
lay
with
a cle
ar b
ound
ary
to n
ext f
ill/
laye
r. T
his i
s the
upp
er fi
ll of
pit
C24
and
app
ears
sim
ilar t
o th
e sur
roun
ding
subs
oil.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 102
.10E
/116
.79N
; B
- 102
.15E/
117.7
8N.
0.6
x 0.
4 x
0.16
26Fi
ll24
25
24Fi
rm d
ark
brow
n sil
ty c
lay
with
mod
erat
e sm
all p
iece
s and
flec
ks
of c
harc
oal.
Thi
s is t
he b
asal
fill
of o
val f
eatu
re C
24. T
his f
ill is
sim
ilar t
o th
e upp
er fi
ll C
25, j
ust h
as a
rela
tively
hig
h %
of c
har-
coal
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 102
.10E
/116
.79N
; B -
102.
15E/
117.7
8N.
0.6
x 0.
4 x
0.08
27C
ut
28, 2
929
2T
his f
eatu
re is
circ
ular
in p
lan
with
mod
erat
ely sl
oped
con
-ca
ve si
des a
nd a
conc
ave b
ase.
The
bre
ak o
f slo
pe o
n to
p is
shar
p. T
his i
s a sm
all p
it. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
0.85
E/11
5.30
N; B
- 9
0.68
E/11
4.59
N.
0.56
x 0
.56
x 0.
21
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
34
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 28
Fill
27
129
Com
pact
mid
gre
y br
own
silty
sand
with
mod
erat
e coa
rse a
nd m
e-di
um su
b-an
gula
r and
sub-
roun
ded
pebb
les.
Mod
erat
e med
ium
an
d sm
all s
ub-a
ngul
ar a
nd su
b-ro
unde
d sto
nes w
ere a
lso w
ithin
th
e fill
. It c
onta
ined
mod
erat
e sm
all p
iece
s and
flec
ks o
f cha
rcoa
l. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
0.85
E/11
5.30
N; B
- 90
.68E
/114
.59N
.
0.56
x 0
.56
x 0.
16
29Fi
ll27
28
27So
ft da
rk b
lack
sand
y sil
t with
mod
erat
e sub
-ang
ular
and
sub-
roun
ded
pebb
les.
Thi
s is t
he b
asal
fill
of C
27. I
t also
con
tain
ed
frequ
ent c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s is a
ver
y th
in le
ns. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
0.85
E/11
5.30
N; B
- 90
.68E
/114
.59N
.
0.5
x 0.
5 x
0.05
30
VO
ID
31C
ut
3232
2A
n irr
egul
ar sh
aped
feat
ure w
ith g
entle
to st
eep
conc
ave s
ides
an
d an
irre
gula
r blu
nt p
oint
bas
e. T
he n
atur
e and
irre
gula
rity
of th
is fe
atur
e wou
ld su
gges
t it i
s a ro
ot b
ole.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 10
0.68
E/11
6.34
N; B
- 10
0.34
E/11
9.10
N.
2.8
x 1.
5 x
0.3
32Fi
ll31
1
31Fi
rm li
ght o
rang
e bro
wn
silty
cla
y w
ith m
oder
ate s
mal
l cha
rcoa
l pi
eces
and
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s fill
is si
mila
r to
the
surr
ound
ing
natu
ral s
ubso
il ot
her t
han
the c
harc
oal c
onte
nt.
Thi
s is m
ost l
ikely
the f
ill o
f a tr
ee b
ole.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 10
0.68
E/11
6.34
N; B
- 10
0.34
E/11
9.10
N.
2.8
x 1.
5 x
0.3
33
VO
ID
34C
ut
4141
2T
his i
s a su
b-re
ctan
gula
r fea
ture
with
gen
tle sl
opin
g sid
es a
nd a
n irr
egul
ar fl
at b
ase.
Thi
s may
be a
natu
ral d
epre
ssio
n du
e to
it be
ing
so sh
allo
w. T
he fi
ll C
41 h
as o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. C
o-or
di-
nate
s: A
- 100
.29E
/105
.87N
; B -
100.
86E/
106.
52N
.
0.46
x 0
.3 x
0.18
35C
ut
3636
2A
sub-
circ
ular
feat
ure w
ith st
eep
smoo
th si
des a
nd a
sub-
circ
ular
co
ncav
e bas
e. T
his i
s pos
sibly
a po
stho
le. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
97.14
E/12
0.13
N; B
- 97
.51E/
120.
15N
.
0.4
x 0.
25 x
0.18
36Fi
ll35
1
35Fi
rm m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sil
ty c
lay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l pie
ces
of c
harc
oal a
nd m
oder
ate c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s is a
sing
le fil
l of
a po
ssib
le po
stho
le. T
his f
eatu
re is
in c
lose
pro
xim
ity to
two
othe
r fea
ture
s C39
and
C37
with
sim
ilar f
ills.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 97
.14E/
120.
13N
; B -
97.51
E/12
0.15
N.
0.4
x 0.
25 x
0.18
Ballynamona 1-E2428
35
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2428-ballynamona1-co-cork/
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 37
Cut
38
3840
A su
b-ci
rcul
ar fe
atur
e with
mai
nly
vert
ical
smoo
th si
des a
nd
a sub
-circ
ular
flat
bas
e. T
his m
ay b
e the
bas
e of a
pos
thol
e,
whi
ch h
as b
een
trun
cate
d by
C39
. It i
s situ
ated
at th
e SW
edge
of
larg
e fea
ture
C39
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 97.4
6E/1
20.0
8N; B
- 9
7.82
E/12
0.02
.
0.24
x 0
.2 x
0.0
8
38Fi
ll37
1
37Fi
rm m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sil
ty c
lay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l cha
rcoa
l pi
eces
and
mod
erat
e cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. S
ingl
e fill
of p
ossib
le po
stho
le C
37, o
r rem
ains
of o
ne a
s it i
s ver
y sh
allo
w at
onl
y 0.
08m
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 97.4
6E/1
20.0
8N; B
- 97
.82E
/120
.02.
0.24
x 0
.2 x
0.0
8
39C
ut
4040
2A
n irr
egul
ar sh
aped
feat
ure w
ith b
oth
steep
and
slop
ing
sides
an
d an
irre
gula
r con
cave
bas
e. T
his f
eatu
re h
as th
e pos
sible
rem
ains
of a
pos
thol
e C37
at it
s WSW
edge
. Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 97
.61E
/120
.18N
; B -
98.8
9E/1
19.8
6N.
1.4
x 1.
1 x
0.24
40Fi
ll39
37
39Fi
rm m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sil
ty c
lay
with
occ
asio
nal s
ub-a
ngul
ar
stone
s. It
also
con
tain
ed m
oder
ate s
mal
l cha
rcoa
l pie
ces a
nd
occa
siona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his i
s the
sing
le fil
l of f
eatu
re C
39.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 97.6
1E/1
20.18
N; B
- 98
.89E
/119
.86N
.
1.4
x 1.
1 x
0.24
41Fi
ll34
1
34Ve
ry so
ft m
id b
row
n sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l cha
rcoa
l pi
eces
and
cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his i
s a si
ngle
fill o
f a sm
all s
hallo
w
sub-
rect
angu
lar p
it. T
his f
ill m
ay b
e res
idue
from
ano
ther
sour
ce
plou
ghed
into
a sh
allo
w, p
ossib
ly n
atur
al d
epre
ssio
n. C
o-or
di-
nate
s: A
- 100
.29E
/105
.87N
; B -
100.
86E/
106.
52N
.
0.36
x 0
.64
x 0.
18
42C
ut
43
, 44
442
Thi
s is a
sub-
rect
angu
lar,
mos
tly st
eep-
sided
shal
low
pit
with
an
irre
gula
r con
cave
bas
e. T
his p
it co
ntai
ned
two
fills
C43
and
C
44. O
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks fo
und
in th
e upp
er fi
ll C
43. T
he
basa
l fill
, C44
, is a
lmos
t nat
ural
sugg
estin
g it
may
be a
nat
ural
de
pres
sion
filled
with
con
tam
inat
ed so
il. S
imila
r to
feat
ure C
34.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 98.
25E/
106.
84N
; B -
98.7
4E/1
07.5
8N.
0.44
x 0
.4 x
0.18
43Fi
ll42
1
44So
ft m
id p
inki
sh re
d sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal
fleck
s. T
his i
s the
seco
ndar
y fil
l of p
it C
42. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A -
98.2
5E/1
06.8
4N; B
- 98
.74E
/107
.58N
.
0.40
x 0
.32
x 0.
1
44Fi
ll42
43
42Ve
ry so
ft m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sa
ndy
clay
. No
char
coal
. Thi
s is t
he
basa
l fill
of s
hallo
w p
it C
42. T
his f
ill is
ver
y sim
ilar t
o th
e sur
-ro
undi
ng n
atur
al so
il, su
gges
ting
that
this
may
, as w
ith fe
atur
e C
34, b
e a n
atur
al d
epre
ssio
n fil
led b
y co
ntam
inat
ed so
il. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
8.25
E/10
6.84
N; B
- 98
.74E
/107
.58N
.
? X 0
.24
X 0.
16
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
36
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 45
Cut
46
462
Thi
s is l
inea
r in
plan
, the
SE
side g
ently
slop
ing
with
a ste
pped
sh
ape;
the N
W si
de is
mod
erat
ely sl
oped
with
a sm
ooth
shap
e.
The
bas
e is s
ub-re
ctan
gula
r and
flat
. Thi
s may
be a
dra
inag
e di
tch
whi
ch h
as b
een
silte
d up
, C46
, see
fill.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 95
.00E
/127
.38N
; B -
94.0
0E/1
28.0
0N.
19.8
8 x
0.84
x 0
.2
46Fi
ll45
1
45Ve
ry so
ft m
id y
ello
w b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
mod
erat
e fin
e sub
-an
gula
r peb
bles
. Org
anic
ally
ster
ile fi
ll, p
ossib
ly si
lted
up d
rain
age
ditc
h. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 9
5.00
E/12
7.38N
; B -
94.0
0E/1
28.0
0N.
19.8
8 x
0.84
x 0
.2
47C
ut
48
1
Irre
gula
r rou
nd c
orne
red
feat
ure w
ith m
oder
ately
slop
ed c
onca
ve
sides
. It h
ad a
n irr
egul
ar c
onca
ve b
ase.
Thi
s fea
ture
was
mos
t lik
e-ly
to b
e a n
atur
al d
epre
ssio
n. C
o-or
dina
tes:
A - 1
00.3
8E/1
21.3
0N;
B - 1
01.1
2E/1
20.4
2N.
0.86
x 0
.42
x 0.
14
48Fi
ll47
1
47C
ompa
ct m
id g
rey
brow
n cl
ayey
sand
. Thi
s fill
is o
rgan
ical
ly
steril
e and
wou
ld a
ppea
r to
be a
form
of s
ubso
il/to
psoi
l red
e-po
sited
in a
natu
rally
occ
urrin
g de
pres
sion.
Co-
ordi
nate
s: A
- 10
0.38
E/12
1.30
N; B
- 10
1.12
E/12
0.42
N.
0.86
x 0
.42
x 0.
14
49C
ut
5252
2A
circ
ular
/ova
l sha
llow
feat
ure w
ith g
ently
slop
ing
smoo
th si
des
and
a circ
ular
con
cave
bas
e. T
his i
s mos
t lik
ely to
be a
nat
ural
de
pres
sion.
0.48
x 0
.3 x
0.1
50C
ut
5353
2O
val i
n pl
an w
ith sm
ooth
, ge
ntle
slopi
ng si
des a
nd a
flat b
ase.
T
his i
s mos
t lik
ely to
be a
nat
ural
dep
ress
ion.
0.
6 x
0.3
x 0.
08
51C
ut
5454
2O
val i
n pl
an w
ith sm
ooth
, ge
ntle
slopi
ng si
des a
nd a
circ
ular
flat
ba
se. T
his i
s mos
t lik
ely to
be a
nat
ural
dep
ress
ion.
0.
38 x
0.2
x 0
.08
52Fi
ll49
1
49C
ompa
ct d
ark
brow
n cl
ayey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal f
ine s
ub-ro
und-
ed p
ebbl
es a
nd o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his a
ppea
r to
be a
co
ntam
inat
ed fi
ll of
a na
tura
l dep
ress
ion.
0.36
x 0
.3 x
0.0
8
53Fi
ll50
1
50C
ompa
ct m
id y
ello
w b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal f
ine s
ub-
roun
ded
pebb
les a
nd o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his a
ppea
rs to
be
a co
ntam
inat
ed fi
ll of
a na
tura
l dep
ress
ion.
0.7
x 0.
4 x
0.08
54Fi
ll51
1
51C
ompa
ct d
ark
brow
n cl
ayey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal f
ine s
ub-ro
und-
ed p
ebbl
es a
nd o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his a
ppea
r to
be a
co
ntam
inat
ed fi
ll of
a na
tura
l dep
ress
ion.
0.4
x 0.
37 x
0.0
8
55C
ut
5656
2A
n ov
al sh
allo
w p
it w
ith b
oth
steep
and
gen
tle c
onca
ve si
des w
ith
an o
val s
light
ly c
onca
ve b
ase.
With
the l
arge
num
ber o
f pot
tery
sh
erds
this
may
be a
hea
vily
trun
cate
d cr
emat
ion
pit.
Soil
anal
ysis
will
aid
our
inte
rpre
tatio
n if
bone
/seed
/food
resid
ue is
disc
over
ed.
0.85
x 0
.74
x 0.
1
Ballynamona 1-E2428
37
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2428-ballynamona1-co-cork/
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 56
Fill
55
155
Firm
mid
gre
y bl
ack
sand
y cl
ay w
ith m
oder
ate s
mal
l ang
ular
sto
nes a
nd fr
eque
nt c
harc
oal f
lecks
/pie
ces r
angi
ng fr
om sm
all t
o m
ediu
m. A
lso m
any
potte
ry sh
erds
. Soi
l ana
lysis
will
aid
with
in
terp
reta
tion
and
hope
fully
pro
duce
pos
sible
bone
, see
d or
oth
er
resid
ues.
0.85
x 0
.74
x 0.
1
57C
ut
58, 5
958
2Ir
regu
lar/o
val i
n pl
an w
ith sm
ooth
, gen
tly sl
opin
g sid
es a
nd a
n irr
egul
ar fl
at/ta
pere
d po
inte
d ba
se. T
his i
s a v
ery
shal
low,
but
larg
e fe
atur
e whi
ch h
as b
een
heav
ily tr
unca
ted,
as p
otte
ry w
as fo
und
in
the b
asal
fill
C58
.
0.86
x 0
.64
x 0.
08
58Fi
ll57
59
57C
ompa
ct m
id b
row
n gr
ey c
laye
y sa
nd w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all a
n-gu
lar s
tone
s and
mod
erat
e cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. O
ne p
otte
ry sh
erd
was
id
entif
ied
in th
is fil
l.
0.86
x 0
.64
x 0.
03
59Fi
ll57
1
58C
ompa
ct d
ark
blac
k cl
ayey
sand
with
mod
erat
e med
ium
cha
rcoa
l pi
eces
. Thi
s is o
ne o
f tw
o fil
ls in
pit
C57
. The
upp
er fi
ll.
0.26
x 0
.22
x 0.
07
60C
ut
61, 6
262
Ir
regu
lar i
n pl
an sh
allo
w p
it w
ith m
oder
ately
to st
eep
slope
d co
n-ca
ve si
des a
nd a
n irr
egul
ar c
onca
ve b
ase.
Thi
s fea
ture
may
be t
wo
conj
oine
d pi
ts.
0.9
x 0.
52 x
0.18
61Fi
ll60
1
62C
ompa
ct m
id b
lack
silty
sand
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l ang
ular
sto
nes.
Thi
s was
the u
pper
fill
of tw
o w
ithin
a la
rge i
rreg
ular
pit.
0.
4 x
0.27
x 0
.17
62Fi
ll60
61
60Fi
rm m
id re
ddish
ora
nge s
andy
cla
y w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all a
ngul
ar
stone
s. Ba
sal f
ill o
f irr
egul
ar sh
aped
shal
low
pit.
0.
8 x
0.54
x 0
.2
63C
ut
64, 6
5, 6
666
2O
val i
n pl
an w
ith st
eep
conc
ave s
ides
and
a ci
rcul
ar c
onca
ve b
ase.
T
his p
it co
ntai
ned
thre
e fill
s. 0.
9 x
0.78
x 0
.34
64Fi
ll63
1
65C
ompa
ct m
id g
rey
silty
sand
y cl
ay w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all a
ngul
ar
stone
s and
freq
uent
med
ium
cha
rcoa
l pie
ces.
Thi
s is t
he u
pper
fill
of p
it C
63.
0.26
x 0
.17 x
0.0
6
65Fi
ll63
64
66Fi
rm m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l ang
ular
sto
nes.
Thi
s is a
seco
ndar
y fil
l in
pit C
63.
0.6
x 0.
45 x
0.18
66Fi
ll63
65
63Fi
rm m
id b
row
n gr
ey sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l and
me-
dium
ang
ular
ston
es. I
t also
con
tain
ed fr
eque
nt m
ediu
m a
nd la
rge
char
coal
pie
ces.
Thi
s is t
he p
rimar
y fil
l of C
63.
0.6
x 0.
5 x
0.3
67C
ut
68, 6
969
2O
val,
smoo
th g
entle
slop
ing
sides
with
an
oval
flat
bas
e. T
his i
s a
very
shal
low
feat
ure s
ituat
ed n
ear o
ther
smal
l fea
ture
s. 1.
34 x
0.9
4 x
0.18
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
38
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 68
Fill
67
169
Com
pact
dar
k re
ddish
bro
wn
clay
ey sa
nd w
ith m
oder
ate m
ediu
m
sub-
angu
lar p
ebbl
es a
nd m
oder
ate c
harc
oal f
lecks
. A th
in le
ns o
f ch
arco
al li
es w
ithin
this
fill.
1.0
x 0.
85 x
0.18
69Fi
ll67
68
67C
ompa
ct m
id b
row
n ye
llow
cla
yey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal m
ediu
m
sub-
angu
lar p
ebbl
es a
nd o
ccas
iona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his i
s a sm
all
fill a
t the
E si
de o
f the
feat
ure.
Thi
s fill
is si
mila
r to
the s
urro
und-
ing
natu
ral a
nd m
ay h
ave g
ot c
onta
min
ated
by
othe
r fill
s.
0.18
x ?
X 0.
16
70
VO
ID
71C
ut
73, 7
474
2O
val i
n pl
an sh
allo
w fe
atur
e with
gen
tle sl
opin
g sid
es a
nd a
n ir-
regu
lar f
lat b
ase.
Thi
s con
tain
ed tw
o fil
ls.
0.8
x 0.
6 x
0.2
72C
ut
7575
2Su
b-re
ctan
gula
r sha
llow
pit
with
stee
p, sm
ooth
side
s and
an
ir-re
gula
r fla
t bas
e.
0.64
x 0
.54
x 0.
23
73Fi
ll71
, 107
1
74C
ompa
ct d
ark
brow
n bl
ack
clay
ey sa
nd w
ith o
ccas
iona
l coa
rse
angu
lar p
ebbl
es, a
nd fr
eque
nt c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s is t
he se
cond
-ar
y fil
l of t
wo
fills
with
in C
71.
0.8
x 0.
6 x
0.08
74Fi
ll71
73
71Ve
ry so
ft m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l su
b-an
gula
r sto
nes a
nd fr
eque
nt c
oars
e sub
-ang
ular
ston
es. I
t also
co
ntai
ns m
oder
ate c
harc
oal f
lecks
.
? X 0
.58
X 0.
12
75Fi
ll72
1
72C
ompa
ct d
ark
grey
ish b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
freq
uent
coa
rse a
nd
occa
siona
l med
ium
sub-
angu
lar p
ebbl
es. I
t also
con
tain
s occ
a-sio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
.
0.63
x 0
.54
x 0.
14
76C
ut
93, 9
494
2O
val s
moo
th st
eep
slope
d sid
ed fe
atur
e with
a su
b-ci
rcul
ar fl
at
base
.1.
21 X
0.7
6 X
0.58
77C
ut
78, 9
5, 9
695
, 100
2Li
near
feat
ure w
ith m
oder
ate s
lopi
ng c
onca
ve si
des a
nd a
conc
ave
base
. 20
.0 x
1.5
x 0
.45
78Fi
ll77
1
96C
ompa
ct m
id b
row
nish
gre
y sil
ty c
lay
with
mod
erat
e coa
rse
sub-
angu
lar a
nd su
b-ro
unde
d pe
bble
s. A
lso o
ccas
iona
l sm
all,
sub-
angu
lar a
nd su
b-ro
unde
d sm
all s
tone
s. U
pper
fill
of m
oder
n bo
unda
ry d
itch.
20.0
x 1
.5 x
0.4
5
79
VO
ID
80C
ut
8484
2Li
near
feat
ure w
ith g
ently
slop
ing
conc
ave s
ides
and
a co
ncav
e ba
se. T
his l
inea
r fea
ture
is ru
nnin
g pa
ralle
l to
C77
. The
y ar
e situ
-at
ed 1
.84m
apa
rt.
17.0
x 1
.6 x
0.3
81C
ut
82, 8
383
2O
val s
hallo
w p
it w
ith sm
ooth
mod
erat
ely sl
oped
side
s and
a fla
t ba
se.
0.66
x 0
.48
x 0.
22
Ballynamona 1-E2428
39
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e2428-ballynamona1-co-cork/
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 82
Fill
81
183
Very
soft
dark
bro
wn
clay
ey si
lt w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all s
ub-a
ngul
ar
stone
s and
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
. 0.
66 x
0.4
8 x
0.22
83Fi
ll81
82
81Ve
ry so
ft m
id y
ello
w b
row
n sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal c
oars
e sub
-an
gula
r peb
bles
and
occ
asio
nal s
mal
l sub
-ang
ular
ston
es. I
t also
co
ntai
ned
occa
siona
l cha
rcoa
l flec
ks. T
his i
s the
low
er fi
ll of
two
with
in th
is fe
atur
e.
? X 0
.5 X
0.14
84Fi
ll80
1
80C
ompa
ct m
id b
row
nish
gre
y sil
ty sa
nd w
ith m
oder
ate c
oars
e su
b-an
gula
r and
sub-
roun
ded
pebb
les.
Thi
s is t
he fi
ll of
bou
ndar
y di
tch
C80
.
17.0
x 1
.6 x
0.3
85
VO
ID
86C
ut
87, 8
888
2Su
b-ci
rcul
ar sh
allo
w fe
atur
e with
gen
tly sl
opin
g co
ncav
e sid
es a
nd
a con
cave
bas
e.
0.5
x 0.
4 x
0.12
87Fi
ll86
1
88C
ompa
ct d
ark
brow
n sil
ty sa
nd w
ith o
ccas
iona
l med
ium
size
d su
b-an
gula
r peb
bles
and
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s is t
he
low
er fi
ll of
two
with
in p
it C
86.
0.5
x 0.
4 x
0.05
88Fi
ll86
87
86C
ompa
ct m
id y
ello
w b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal m
ediu
m
sub-
angu
lar a
nd su
b-ro
unde
d pe
bble
s and
smal
l cha
rcoa
l pie
ces.
0.4
x 0.
35 x
0.0
7
89C
ut
9999
2Ir
regu
lar i
n pl
an w
ith g
ently
slop
ed ir
regu
lar s
ides
and
an
irreg
ular
co
ncav
e bas
e.
2.6
x 2.
0 x
0.27
90
VO
ID
91C
ut
9292
2C
ircul
ar g
ently
slop
ed, s
moo
th si
ded,
with
a su
b-re
ctan
gula
r con
-ca
ve b
ase.
Thi
s pit
has o
nly
one f
ill C
92. T
his m
ay b
e a n
atur
al
hollo
w/d
epre
ssio
n.
0.38
x 0
.3 x
0.17
92Fi
ll91
1
91C
ompa
ct m
id b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
mod
erat
e med
ium
sub-
an-
gula
r peb
bles
and
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s is t
he si
ngle
fill
of a
shal
low
smal
l pit
C91
. Thi
s may
be a
con
tam
inat
ed fi
ll w
ithin
a p
ossib
le na
tura
l hol
low.
0.42
x 0
.32
x 0.
17
93Fi
ll76
1
94Ve
ry so
ft da
rk b
row
n sto
ny sa
ndy
clay
. It c
onta
ined
occ
asio
nal m
e-di
um si
zed
sub-
angu
lar s
tone
s and
freq
uent
coa
rse s
ub-ro
unde
d pe
bble
s. It
also
had
occ
asio
nal c
harc
oal f
lecks
. Thi
s was
the u
pper
fil
l of p
it C
76.
1.13
x 0
.7 x
0.5
8
iSSUE 10: Eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaEological Excavation rEport
40
Con
text
#C
onte
xt T
ype
Fill
ofFi
lled
wit
h St
rat a
bove
Stra
t bel
owSh
ort D
escr
ipti
onD
imen
sion
s (m
) 94
Fill
76
9376
Very
soft
mid
gre
y sa
ndy
clay
with
occ
asio
nal m
ediu
m si
zed
sub-
angu
lar s
tone
s. T
his f
ill w
as in
two
area
s at t
he b
ase o
f cut
C76
. Fi
ll C
93 w
as se
para
ting
the t
wo
area
s. T
his c
lay
may
be w
ater
-lo
gged
or s
iltin
g at
the b
ase o
f suc
h a v
ertic
al d
eep
hole.
Dim
en-
sions
giv
en re
fer t
o tw
o pa
rts.
? X 0
.25
x 0.
3
95Fi
ll77
96
77C
ompa
ct li
ght y
ello
w b
row
n cl
ayey
sand
with
occ
asio
nal m
ediu
m
sub-
angu
lar a
nd su
b-ro
unde
d sto
nes.
Thi
s is t
he b
asal
laye
r in
linea
r fea
ture
C75
.
? X 1
.28
x 0.
21
96Fi
ll77
78
95, 1
00C
ompa
ct d
ark
grey
ish b
lack
silty
sand
. ? X
1.6
x 0
.04
97C
ut
9898
99C
ircul
ar fe
atur
e with
gen
tly sl
opin
g co
ncav
e sid
es a
nd a
circ
ular
co
ncav
e bas
e. T
his i
s pos
sibly
par
t of a
root
bol
e. A
natu
ral f
eatu
re.
0.5
x 0.
5 x
0.18
98Fi
ll97
1
97Fi
rm m
id g
rey
sand
y cl
ay w
ith o
ccas
iona
l sm
all a
ngul
ar st
ones
. T
his i
s the
fill
of a
mos
t lik
ely ro
ot h
ole -
nat
ural
.0.
5 x
0.5
x 0.
18
99Fi
ll89
97
89Fi
rm m
id g
rey
sand
y cl
ay w
ith m
oder
ate s
mal
l ang
ular
ston
es. F
ill
of p
ossib
le ro
ot h
ole?
2.6
x 2.
0 x
0.27
100
Fill
77
9677
Com
pact
ligh
t ora
nge y
ello
w c
laye
y sa
nd. T
his i
s the
fill
of th
e m
oder
n fie
ld b
ound
ary
C77
.? X
1.0
4 x
0.2
101
Cut
10
210
22
Circ
ular
pit
with
mod
erat
e slo
ping
con
cave
side
s and
a ci
rcul
ar
conc
ave b
ase.
Poss
ible
root
act
ion.
0.
54 x
0.5
x 0
.19
102
Fill
101
1
101
Firm
mid
gre
y sa
ndy
clay
. Pos
sible
root
act
ion.
0.
54 x
0.5
x 0
.1910
3C
ut
104
104
2C
ircul
ar w
ith g
ently
slop
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Appendix 2 Site matrix
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Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups
Group 1 Natural Deposits This group describes the natural geological deposits identified across both areas of excavation.
Subgroup {1001} TopsoilList of Contexts; C.1Description This subgroup describes the topsoil covering the archaeological features in Areas 1 and 2. For both areas it was a loose dark brown silty clay.
Subgroup {1002} SubsoilList of Contexts; C.2DescriptionThis subgroup describes the natural subsoil that formed across Areas 1 and 2. For both areas it was a compact reddish orange sandy clay.
Group 2 Cremation PitsThis group describes the cremation pits and associated features observed in Area 2.
Subgroup {2001} Cremation PitsList of Contexts; C. [55], 56, [86], 87, 88Description Two cremation pits were located in Area 2. Pit [55] measured 0.85 m in length, 0.74 m in width and 0.1 m in depth. It was oval in shape, concave in profile and sides varied from gentle to steep in gradient. It was filled by a firm mid greyish black sand clay (56). Frequent small pieces of charcoal and burnt bone were recovered from this fill. Thirty-six sherds of prehistoric pottery were also recovered from this fill. Pit [86] was located 8.5 m to the west of pit [55]. It measured 0.5 m in length, 0.4 m in width and 0.12 m in depth. It was sub-circular in shape, concave in profile and had gently sloping sides. The primary fill was a compact mid yellowish brown clayey sand (88) and the secondary fill was a compact dark brown silty sand (87). Occasional charcoal pieces were recovered from both fills. 22 sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the primary fill of this feature.
InterpretationThese two pits represent the remains of two heavily truncated cremations. This indicated by the evidence of burning, burnt bone and the abundance of pottery sherds within the
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primary fills of both of these pits. The pottery appears to be prehistoric in date giving an approximate date for these features. These features appear to be have been heavily trun-cated, probably by later agricultural activities e.g. ploughing.
Subgroup {2002} Associated PitsList of Contexts; C. [57], 58, 59, [60], 61, 62, [63], 64, 65, 66DescriptionThree associated features were located in close proximity to cremation pit [55].
Pit [57] was located 1.7 m north of pit [55]. It measured 0.86 m in length, 0.64 m in width and 0.08 m in depth. It was oval on shape, flat in profile and had gently sloping sides. The primary fill was a compact mid brownish grey clayey sand (58) and the second-ary fill was a compact dark black clayey sand (59). Moderate amounts of flecks and small pieces of charcoal were observed in both fills. A sherd of prehistoric pottery was recovered from the primary fill of this feature.
Pit [60] was located 0.5 m to the east of pit [55]. It measured 0.9 m in length, 0.52 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. It was irregular in shape, concave in profile and sides varied from moderate to steep in gradient. The primary fill was a firm mid reddish orange sandy clay (62) and the secondary fill was a compact mid black silty sand (61).
Pit [63] was located 1.6 m to the east of pit [55]. It measured 0.9 m in length, 0.78 m in width and 0.34 m in depth. It was oval in shape, concave in profile and had steeply sloping sides. The primary fill was a firm mid brownish grey sandy clay (66) with frequent medium and large pieces of charcoal inclusions. The secondary fill was a firm mid yel-lowish brown sandy clay (65) and the final fill was a compact mid grey silty clay (64) with frequent medium pieces of charcoal inclusions.
InterpretationThe three features were located in close proximity to, and probably had a close relation-ship with, cremation pit [55]. Pit [57] contained a sherd of prehistoric pottery relating it directly with the finds from cremation [55] but for what function is unknown. Pit [63] contained three fills, two of which had concentrated charcoal deposits within them. This may have been a dump of burnt material (waste) resulting from the burning of the human remains. Pit [60] appeared to have evidence of in-situ burning within its primary fill. This pit may have provided an alternative method of cremating the human remains that a pyre.
Group 3 PostholesThis group describes two postholes located in the centre of Area 1List of Contexts; C. [35], 36, [37], 38Description Two postholes were located in the centre of Area 1.
Posthole [35] measured 0.4 m in length, 0.25 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. It was sub-circular in shape, concave in profile and had steeply sloping sides. It was filled
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by a firm mid yellowish brown silty clay (36) with occasional small pieces and moderate flecks of charcoal inclusions.
Posthole [37] was located 0.14 m east of posthole [35]. It measured 0.24 m in length, 0.2 m in width and 0.08 m in depth. It was sub-circular in shape with a flat base and vertical sides. It was filled by a firm mid yellowish brown silty clay (38) with occasional small pieces and moderate flecks of charcoal inclusions. It was truncated by large pit [39].
InterpretationThese two postholes represent the only structural elements that have survived on this site. The charcoal inclusions within the fills of these post-holes suggest they had a close rela-tionship with the burning activity took place in this area. They may represent the remains of a burial pyre, possibly used to cremate human remains before they were placed in the cremation burials described in group 2. This is supported by the fact that the postholes were fairly small in size and probably could not support anything substantial in size.
Group 4 PitsThis group describes sixteen pits excavated across Areas 1 and 2.
Subgroup {4001} Area 1 List of Contexts; C. [3], 6, 7, 9, [10], 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, [11], 12, 20, [21], 22, 23, [24], 25, 26, [27], 28, 29, [34], 41, [39], 40, [42], 43, 44.Description Nine pits were located across Area 1.
Four pits were located to the south of Area 1.Pit [3] measured 0.9 m in length, 0.54 m in width and 0.4 m in depth. It was oval
in shape with a flat profile and gently sloping sides. It was filled by three deposits. The primary deposit was a very soft light brown clayey silt (7), the secondary deposit was a soft white sandy clay (9) and the final deposit was a very soft dark black silt (6). Frequent charcoal flecks inclusions were observed in fills (6) and (7).
Pit [10] was located 0.7 m to the east. It measured 1.1 m in length, 0.6 m in width ad 0.4 m in depth. It was oval in shape, concave in profile and had steeply sloping sides. It was filled by seven deposits. They varied in colour from light yellowish white to dark black and varied in composition from sandy clay to clayey silt. Frequent flecks of charcoal were observed from four of the seven fills.
Pit [34] was located 1.9 m south-east of pit [10]. It measured 0.46 m in length, 0.3 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. It was sub-rectangular in shape with a flat profile and gently sloping sides. It was filled by a very soft mid brown sandy clay (41) with occasional flecks and small pieces of charcoal inclusions.
Pit [42] was located 0.55 m south of pit [10]. It measured 0.44 m in length, 0.4 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. It was sub-rectangular in shape, concave in profile and shad
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steeply sloping sides. The primary fill was a soft mid yellowish brown sandy clay (44) and the secondary fill was a soft mid pinkish red sandy clay (43). This fill contained occasional charcoal fleck inclusions.
Three pits were located in the centre of Area 1.Pit [11] measured 1.3 m in length, 1.05 m in width and 0.25 m in depth. It was irregular in shape, concave in profile and had moderately steep sloping sides. The primary fill was a compact light yellowish brown silty clay (12) and the secondary deposit was a firm mid brown silty clay (20). Occasional flecks and small pieces of charcoal were recovered from both fills.
Pit [24] was located 1.88 m to the north-east. It measured 0.6 m in length, 0.4 m in width and 0.16 m in depth. It was oval in shape, concave in profile and had moderately steep sloping sides. The primary fill was a firm dark brown silty clay (26) and the sec-ondary deposit was a firm mid brown silty clay (25). Moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal were recovered from fill (26).
Pit [39] was located 2.95 m north of pit [11]. It measured 1.4 m in length, 1.1 m in width and 0.24 m in depth. It was irregular in shape, concave in profile and had steeply sloping sides. It was filled by a firm mid yellowish brown silty clay (40) with occasional flecks and moderate amounts of small pieces of charcoal inclusions. This pit truncated earlier posthole [37] as described in group 3.
Two pits were located to the west of Area 1Pit [21] measured 0.6 m in diameter and 0.14 m in depth. It was circular in shape and had moderately steep sides. The primary fill was a firm dark black silty clay (23). Frequent flecks and small pieces of charcoal and burnt stone were observed within this fill. The sec-ondary fill was a loose mid brown sandy clay (22) with occasional small charcoal pieces. A piece of barbed wire was recovered from the secondary fill.
Pit [27] was located 2.1 m south-west of pit [21]. It measured 0.56 m in diameter and 0.21 m in depth. It was circular in shape, concave in profile and had moderately steep sides. The primary fill was a soft dark black sandy silt (29) and the secondary fill was a compact mid greyish brown silty sand (28). Moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal were observed within these fills.
InterpretationThe fills of all nine of these pits contained charcoal. This suggests that these pits had a strong relationship to the burning activity that occurred in this area, possibly in associa-tion with the burning and burial of human remains. We can assume that some of these pits post date the burial activity as pit [39] truncated posthole [37]. However, without further information the exact function of these pits is difficult determine. These features may have been backfilled recently, possibly to level the ground surface for agricultural purposes. This can be seen by the barbed wire found within pit [21].
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Subgroup {4002} Area 2List of Contexts; C.[67], 68, 69, [71], 73, 74, [72], 75, [76], 93, 94, [81], 82, 83, [91], 92, [107], 105, 106.DescriptionSeven pits were located across Area 2.
Five pits were located in the centre of Area 2.Pit [67] measured 1.34 m in length, 0.94 m in width and 0.18 m in depth. It was oval in shape, flat in profile and had gently sloping sides. The primary fill was a compact mid brownish yellow clayey sand (69) and the secondary fill was a compact dark reddish brown clayey sand (68). Moderate charcoal flecks were observed within both fills.
Pit [71] was located 0.48 m to the south-west. It measured 0.8 m in length, 0.6 m in width and 0.2 m in depth. It was oval in shape, flat in profile and had gently sloping sides. The primary fill was a very soft mid yellowish brown sandy clay (74). Pit [105] was located just to the north of pit [71]. It was circular in shape and measured 1.1 m in length, 1 m in width and 0.14 min depth. The primary fill was a compact mid reddish yellow clayey sand (105). The secondary fill of both of these pits was a compact dark brownish black clayey sand (73) with occasional charcoal fleck inclusions. Fill (73) also overlay spread (106), a compact light grey clay with frequent charcoal flecks.
Pit [72] was located 0.7 m south of pit [67]. It measured 0.64 m in length, 0.54 m in width and 0.23 m in depth. It was sub-rectangular in shape, flat in profile and had steeply sloping sides. It was filled by a compact dark greyish brown clayey sand (75) with occa-sional charcoal flecks inclusions.
Pit [81] was located 1.5 m south-east of pit [72]. It measured 0.66 m in length, 0.48 m in width and 0.22 m in depth. It was oval in shape, flat in profile and had moderately steep sides. The primary fill was a very soft mid yellowish brown clay (83) and the sec-ondary fill was a soft dark brown clayey silt (82). Both fills contained occasional charcoal flecks.
Pit [76] was located to the south of Area 2. It measured 1.21 m in length, 0.76 m in width and 0.58 m in depth. It was oval in shape, flat in profile and had steeply sloping sides. The primary fill was a mid grey sandy clay (94) and the secondary fill was a soft dark brown stony clay (93). Occasional flecks of charcoal inclusions were observed within the secondary fill.
Pit [91] was located between field boundaries [77] and [80] as described in group 5. It measured 0.38 m in length, 0.3 m in width and 0.17 m in depth. It was circular in shape, concave in profile and had gently sloping sides. It was filled by a compact mid brown clayey sand (92) with occasional flecks of charcoal inclusions.
InterpretationAll seven pits found in Area 2 contained charcoal within their fills. This may link these pits to the high concentration of burning activity occurring within this area, possibly
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associated with the cremation and burial of human remains. However, without further information their exact function is difficult to determine.
Group 5 Linear FeaturesThis group describes the single linear feature in Area 1 and the two linear features in Area 2
Subgroup {5001} Area 1 List of Contexts; C. [45], 46Description A single linear feature was uncovered in Area 1. It was orientated north to south and measured 0.84 in width and 0.2 in depth. It was linear in shape with a flat profile and gently sloping and stepped sides. It was filled by a very soft mid yellowish brown clayey sand (46).
InterpretationThis linear feature represents a drainage ditch in order to drain the easily waterlogged field in which Area 1 was located. The sterile nature of the fills suggests this feature natu-rally silted up after the intense burning activity that occurred in this area. This indicated that this feature post dated the burials on this site, possibly represented a modern agri-cultural ditch.
Subgroup {5002} Area 2List of Contexts; C. [77], 78, 95, 96, 100, [80], 84.DescriptionTwo parallel linear features were discovered in Area 2.Linear [77] was orientated north to south and measured 1.5 in width and 0.45 in depth. It was linear in shape with a concave profile and moderately steep sloping sides. Its primary fills were a compact light yellowish brown clayey sand (95) and a compact light orangish yellow clayey sand (100). These fills were overlain by the secondary deposit, a compact dark greyish black silty sand (96). The final fill was a compact mid brownish grey silty clay (78).
Linear [80] was located 1.95 m to the west. It was orientated north to south and mea-sured 1.6 m in width and 0.3 in depth. It was linear in shape with a concave profile and gently sloping sides. It was filled by compact mid brownish grey silty sand (84).
InterpretationThese two liner features represent two parallel field boundaries. These may have been con-temporary in nature but were more likely an initial boundary that was later replaced. The sterile nature of the fills suggests that the boundaries naturally silted up over time after
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the intense burning activity that occurred in this area. This suggests that they are later in date than the burials and possibly represent modern agricultural activity.
Group 6 Natural FeaturesThis group describes ten natural features located both in Areas 1 and 2.
Subgroup {6001} Area 1 List of Contexts; C. [4], 5, 8, [31], 32, [47], 48, [49], 52, [50], 53, [51], 54.Description
Context No Dimensions (m) 4 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.08
31 2.8 x 1.5 x 0.3
47 0.86 x 0.42 x 0.14
49 0.48 x 0.3 x 0.1
50 0.6 x 0.3 x 0.08
51 0.38 x 0.2 x 0.08
Table1:DimensionsofnaturalfeaturesinArea1
These six features varied greatly in length, width and depth, as seen in the table above. They were generally oval or irregular in shape and the sides were gentle to steep in gradi-ent. The fills of these features varied in colour from light orangish brown to dark black and were in general clayey sand in composition. Charcoal inclusions were present in the fills of five of these features.
Subgroup {6002} Area 2List of Contexts; C. [89], 99, [97], 98, [101], 102, [103], 104.Description
Context No Dimensions (m)
89 2.6 x 2.0 x 0.27
97 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.18
101 0.54 x 0.5 x 0.19
103 0.2 x 0.1 x 0.1
Table2DimensionsofnaturalfeaturesinArea2
These four features varied greatly in length, width and depth, as seen in the table above. They were generally irregular or circular in shape and had gently sloping sides. The fills of these features were in general mid grey in colour and sandy clay in composition.
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Group InterpretationThe irregularity in shape, the lack of depth and sterile fills of these features suggests that they are natural in origin, possibly vegetation bowls. The charcoal inclusions within their fills are most likely the result of contamination by surrounding burning activity.
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Appendix 4 Finds registerContext #
NMI Find #
Area Category Fabric Artefact Type Short Description/Comments rt Description/Comments
56 1 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 2 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 3 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 4 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 5 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 6 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 7 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 8 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 9 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 10 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 11 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 12 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd Decorated - carved motif56 13 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 14 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 15 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 16 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 17 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 18 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 19 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 20 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 21 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 22 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 23 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 24 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 25 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 26 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 27 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 28 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 29 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 30 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 31 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 32 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 33 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 34 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 35 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 36 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 37 2 Ceramic Pottery Basal Sherd56 38 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 39 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 40 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 41 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 42 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines56 43 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 44 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 45 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 46 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherds x4 small fragments56 47 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Crumbs x5
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56 48 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd originally 2 fragments56 49 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 50 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 51 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 52 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd (originally 3 fragments) Deco-
rated - carved lines56 53 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 54 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 55 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 56 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 57 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd56 58 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd Decorated - carved lines87 1 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd 87 2 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd 87 3 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd 87 4 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd 87 5 2 Ceramic Pottery Rim Sherd 87 6 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd 87 7 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd 87 8 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherd 87 9 2 Ceramic Pottery Body Sherds x6 small fragments
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Appendix 5 Plant remains
IntroductionThis report presents the results of plant remains analysis from Ballynamona 1. The site comprised a series of pits, including two possible cremation pits. Artefacts included Grooved Ware and Vase urns, indicating activity dating to the Late Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age. The plant remains were all identified as hazelnut shell fragments.
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 samples were scanned under low-powered magnification (x 10 to x 40) using a binocular microscope. Nomen-clature and taxonomic order follows Stace (1997).
ResultsA total of 24 samples were examined but plant remains were only present in 7 of the samples. The plant remains were identified as barley and indeterminate cereal grains and fragments of hazelnut shell.
Sample Context Charcoal Seeds % scanned2 7 Medium Absent 1008 12 Low Absent 10011 13 High Absent 10012 14 Medium Absent 10014 16 Low Absent 10019 32 Medium Absent 10022 26 Medium Absent 10024 23 Medium Absent 10027 36 Medium Low 10031 43 Low Absent 10038 56 Medium Absent 10041 30 High Absent 10042 61 Low Absent 10043 62 Low Absent 10044 64 Low Absent 10045 65 Low Absent 10050 69 Low Absent 10052 56 High Medium 10053 73 Medium Low 100
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54 74 Low Absent 10062 87 Low Low 10063 88 Medium Low 10068 92 Low Absent 10070 76/94 Low Low 100
Table1:ScannedsamplesfromBallynamona1,Co�Cork(E2428)
Where plant material was found, it was retrieved in moderate quantities. The identi-fied material (presented in Table 2) was predominantly cereal remains, grains in particu-lar, which were primarily barley.
Context 36 53 64 73 87 88 94Sample 27 73 44 53 62 63 70Hazelnut shell fragments (Corylus avellana L.) 1 61 4 33 11 6 4Barley grains (Hordeum vulgare L.) 1 3 4 5Indeterminate cereal grains 1 4 1 1
Table2:PlantmaterialinsamplesfromBallynamona1,Co�Cork(E2428)
Hazelnut shell fragments are ubiquitous finds in Irish archaeobotanical assemblages. Eating hazelnuts creates quite a large amount of waste (Monk 2000, 75) and archaeobota-nists generally agree that a small collection of hazelnut shell fragments is unlikely to be a significant indicator of site diet (e.g. McClatchie 2007, 65). Therefore, the few fragments retrieved from this site are probably relatively unimportant.
The archaeological remains suggest that these deposits are Late Neolithic and this site therefore adds to the relatively scant evidence of barley cultivation in Ireland during the Neolithic (Monk 1986, 32). In Britain, Grooved Ware sherds generally have no cereal impressions and therefore settlements associated with Grooved Ware were traditionally associated with pastoral cultures, rather than arable agriculture. This assumption was turned on its head by the systematic flotation of samples associated with Grooved Ware sites: Jones (1980) proved that carbonised grain was regularly found in deposits from this period. In Britain the results demonstrated that cereals from the Late Neolithic included emmer and bread wheat and barley and that hazelnut shells and crab apple pips were also found. Flotation has been carried out at a limited number of Grooved Ware sites in Ireland including Ballynamona 1. The Irish results suggest that barley was probably the most common cereal type (as at Ballynamona 1) and that hazelnut shells and apple pips were also relatively common.
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ReferencesJohnston, P. 2007 Analysis of Carbonised Plant Remains, pp. 70 – 79 in Grogan, E.,
O’Donnell, L. and Johnston, P. The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipline to the West. Bray, Wordwell.
Jones, M. 1980 ‘Carbonised cereals from Grooved Ware contexts,’ Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 46, 61– 63.
McClatchie, M. 2007 ‘The plant remains,’ in Doody, M. Excavations at Curraghatoor, Co. Tipperary. Cork, UCC Department of Archaeology Archaeological Monograph, 62 – 67.
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 New Flora in the British Isles. (2nd edition) Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
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Appendix 6 Pottery report
By Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan
SummaryThis small assemblage of 81 sherds (weight 1028g) represents a Late Neolithic Grooved Ware vessel and an Early Bronze Age vase urn. Detailed descriptions of the sherds and contexts are presented in the Catalogue, after a general discussion of the assemblages. The excavation number is omitted throughout this report, only the context number (in bold in the Catalogue) followed by the find number is included.
Area 2
The Late Neolithic Grooved Ware VesselFifteen sherds of Grooved Ware were found in a possible cremation pit (Context 86), consisting of three base-anglesherds, five bodysherds and seven fragments representing a single barrel-shaped flat-based cordoned vessel. The good quality burnished, thin-walled fabric is slightly weathered and small cavities are present on both surfaces. Decoration is present in the form of a horizontal row of faint, closely spaced comb impressions imme-diately above the cordon; a row of closely-spaced comb impressions, and sometimes just an incised line, is present around the circumference of the external surface of the base. Cordons are a feature on a small number of Grooved Ware vessels in Ireland, for example, Longstone Cullen, Co. Tipperary (Roche 1995, fig. 49), and decoration is present on the exterior surface of the base of vessels from Longstone, Geroid Island, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick (Roche 1995, figs 44, 48, 27), and Knowth, Co. Meath (Eogan and Roche 1997, 157, fig. 28: V.2 and V.8). However, the presence of comb impressed decoration has not previously been identified on Irish Grooved Ware. Carbonised residue is present on the interior surface indicating that they had, at some stage, been used for cooking.
DiscussionThe Ballynamona 1 site and associated assemblage is one of the latest additions to the growing number of Grooved Ware sites Ireland, dating to c. 2900–2450 BC (Eogan and Roche 1997, 219). Although still not plentiful, it has become more common throughout the country but with a particular concentration in the north-eastern part of the coun-try. The majority of the sites appear to represent ritual activity especially associated with timber circles. The context of the Ballynamona 1 vessel, in a possible cremation pit, is important as such associations are not common. The vessel from Ballynamona 1 can be readily paralleled by material from other Irish sites as close as Longstone Cullen, and as far away as Knowth and Bettystown, Co. Meath, Whitewell, Co. Westmeath, and Ballynahatty, Co. Down (Eogan and Roche 1997, fig. 21; J. Eogan 1999; Phelan 2007;
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Hartwell 1998, 32–44), and more recently from timber circles at Balgatheran, Co. Louth (Ó Drisceoil 2003), an enclosure at Balregan, Co. Louth (Grogan and Roche 2005), and a pit at Rathmullan, Co. Meath (Bolger 2002, 8–9). In the immediate area a large as-semblage of Grooved Ware came from Ballynacarriga 3 on the Fermoy to Mitchelstown Bypass scheme.
Early Bronze Age vase urnSixty six sherds, consisting of 10 rimsherds, 10 shouldersherds, a base-anglesherd, 17 bodysherds and 28 fragments, representing a single vase urn were found in a second pos-sible cremation pit (Context 55). The vessel, with its rounded rim, vertical neck, rounded shoulder and a belly that slopes down to a narrow base is consistent with Brindley’s (2007, 278–79) Stage 2 vase urns. The hard but loose textured fabric with a moderate to high content of inclusions is somewhat weathered. The vase is elaborately decorated. Oblique lines of whipped cord impressions occur on the rim top. The exterior surface of the rim and neck are decorated with vertical and oblique broad incised lines, at the neck/shoul-der junction is a horizontal row of rounded impressions bounded by horizontal rows of whipped cord impressions. The rounded shoulder has a horizontal row of oblique broad incised lines, below which is a horizontal row of rounded impressions bounded by hori-zontal rows of whipped cord impressions. At the shoulder/belly junction is a horizontal row of short oblique lines of whipped cord impressions. The belly of the vessel is deco-rated with a broad incised lattice pattern. The interior surface of the rim and neck have a herringbone pattern of two rows of oblique and opposing broad incised lines. Carbonised residue is present on the interior surface.
Vase urns are not common in this region, having a more dominant distribution in the north and northeast. However, an example came from a funerary context at Ballinvoher, Co. Cork (Waddell 1990, 58). Vase urns were in contemporary use with other pottery of the Vase Tradition, such as food vessels and encrusted urns, and research has established a date range of c. 1930/1920–c. 1830 BC for this ceramic type (Brindley 2007, 328).
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ReferencesBrindley, A. L. 2007 The Dating of Food Vessels and Urns in Ireland. Department of
Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway.
Bolger, T. 2002 Three sites on the M1 Motorway at Rathmullan, Co. Meath, Ríocht na Midhe 13, 8–17.
Eogan, J. 1999 Recent Excavations at Bettystown, Co. Meath. Irish Association of Professional Archaeologists Newsletter 30, 9.
Eogan, G. and Roche, H. 1997 Excavations at Knowth (2). Royal Irish Academy and Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.
Grogan, E. and Roche, H. 2005 The prehistoric pottery from Balregan 1, Co. Louth (03E0157). Unpublished Report for Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Hartwell, B. 1998 The Ballynahatty Complex. In A. Gibson and D. Simpson (eds), Prehistoric Ritual and Religion, 32–44. Sutton Publishing Ltd., Gloucestershire.
Ó Drisceoil, C. 2003 Balgatheran Site 4. Late Neolithic ritual/settlement site, Co. Louth. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2001, 255–57. Wordwell, Bray.
Phelan, S. 2007 1903. Whitewell. Grooved Ware timber circle. In E. Grogan, L. O’Donnell and Johnson, P. The Bronze Age landscapes of the Pipeline to the West, 349‒50. Bord Gais/ Wordwell, Bray.
Roche, H. 1995 Style and Context for Grooved Ware in Ireland: with special reference to the assemblage at Knowth, Co. Meath. Unpublished M.A. Thesis. Department of Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Dublin.
Waddell, J. 1990 The Bronze Age Burials of Ireland. Galway University Press.
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CatalogueThe excavation number E2428 is omitted throughout; only the context 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: 87:2–4.
Sherd numbers incorporating a forward slash indicates joining sherds, e.g. 888/444. The colour reference refers to the outer surface/core/inner surface, e.g. orange/grey/black.
The thickness refers to an average dimension; where relevant a thickness range is indicated.
Vessel numbers have been allocated to pottery where some estimation of the form of the pot is possible, or where the detailed evidence of featured sherds (e.g. rims, shoulders) or the fabric indicates separate vessels.
Area 2
Late Neolithic Grooved Ware Vessel
Vessel 1. Represented by three base-angle sherds 87:2–4, two cordon sherds 87:6a–b, five bodysherds 87:1, 5, 6a–b, 8 (two with cordons) and seven fragments 87:7, 9a–f from a barrel-shaped flat based vessel with a low raised cordon probably not far below the rim.
Thin-walled hard compact fabric with a moderate to high content of crushed quartzite inclusions (≤ 2.7mm). The smooth burnished surfaces are slightly weathered and small cavities are present on both surfaces. Carbonised residue is present on the interior surface. A horizontal row of faint closely spaced comb impressions is present immediately above the cordon. A row of closely-spaced comb impressions and sometimes just an incised line is present around the circumference of the external surface of the base. Colour: brown-orange/dark orange-grey/black. T: 3.2–7.9mm. Weight: 135g.
Early Bronze Age Vase Urn
Vessel 2. Represented by ten rimsherds 56:2–3, 7, 10, 13–14, 23, 32, 38, 40, ten shoul-dersherds 56:9, 25, 29–30, 36, 39, 43, 48, 53, 55, a base-angle fragment 56:37, seventeen bodysherds 56:1, 4–5, 8, 15, 18–19, 22, 26, 31, 49–52, 54, 57–58 and twenty eight frag-ments 56:2, 6, 11, 16–17, 20a–b, 21, 24, 27–28, 33–35, 41–42, 44–45, 46a–d, 47a–e, 56 from a vessel with a rounded rim, vertical neck, rounded shoulder and the belly slopes down to a narrow base.
Hard but loose textured fabric with a moderate to high content of crushed inclu-sions (≤ 5.1mm). The smoothed surfaces are somewhat weathered. Carbonised residue is present on the interior surface. The interior surface of the rim and neck are decorated with a herringbone pattern of two rows of oblique and opposing broad incised lines. The top of the rim is decorated with oblique lines of whipped cord impressions. The exterior surface of the rim and neck are decorated with vertical and oblique broad incised lines, at the neck/shoulder junction is a horizontal row of rounded impressions bounded by
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horizontal rows of whipped cord impressions. The rounded shoulder is decorated with a horizontal row of oblique broad incised lines, below which is a horizontal row of rounded impressions bounded by horizontal rows of whipped cord impressions. At the shoulder/belly junction is a horizontal row of short oblique lines of whipped cord impressions. The belly of the vessel is decorated with a broad incised lattice pattern. Colour: orange/dark grey-black/brown-black. T: 7.2–11.8mm. Weight: 893g.