The excavation revealed the presence of a burnt mound with associated pits and troughs.
The two troughs both had internal stakeholes suggesting in one case some form of lining
and in the other some form of suspension rack. The remains of a H-frame suspension
frame was situated north-west of the largest trough. A number of external pits and stake-
holes hinted at related structures or activities. Two Late Bronze Age dates were returned
for the site cal BC 1010–909. A cow horn and a shed red-deer antler were found in the
abandonment fills of a pair of boiling pits.
A small, Late Bronze Age, burnt mound was identified consisting of a large sub-rectangu-
lar pit which was interpreted as a trough and a smaller roughly oval-shaped pit which may
also have been a trough. The large trough had internal stake-holes and pits. A radiocarbon
date of 731–406 Cal BC was returned for the site.
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a small layer of burnt mound material, a large trough and two interconnecting pits located just to the north of the mound, which may also have served as troughs.
A small burnt mound was located at the intersection of three field boundaries. The excavation revealed a central trough and two interconnecting pits which lay just to the north of the mound. Whilst shallow, the interconnecting pits may have served as troughs too. Both the mound material and the fill of one of the pits contained animal bone fragments. Two Middle Bronze Age radiocarbon dates were acquired from two samples: one from the burnt mound material and one from the lower fill of the trough. No artefacts were found.
This report constitutes the final excavation report for a porrly preserved burnt mound in the townland of Ballinillaun, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the CPO for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing.
This site consisted of a poorly preserved, Early Bronze Age, burnt mound. Three pits were excavated and all the fills of the pits contained large proportions of charcoal and heatshattered limestone. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 1934–1773 were obtained from basal fill of a trough. This was one of a series of burnt mounds which clustered in Ballinillaun, Moyveela and Colwood which were located adjacent to a number of turloughs.
This was a small, porrly preserved burnt mound from which a Late Bronze Age date was returned. A shallow trough contained a number of stakeholes in the base of the pit. No finds were found. One Late Bronze Age date was returned from the basal fill of the trough.
This report constitutes the final excavation report on a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of the western extent of a burnt mound, a re-cut trough and a well.
The new road clipped the western edge of a burnt mound. The excavation revealed the presence of a large trough and a well. Both features were located below the remains of the burnt mound material. Two Late Bronze Age radiocarbon dates were obtained from basal fill of the trough and the well.
This excavation report details the archaeological excavation of a burnt mound and six associated troughs located in Caherweelder townland, Co. Galway. The excavation revealed a shallow burnt mound located along the slope of a former turlough. Radiocarbon dating of samples from the mound and one trough fill provided dates of cal BC 2195–2040, indicating an Early Bronze Age date. A late Mesolithic chert blade was also recovered. The site was part of a cluster of burnt mounds in the townland.
The excavation uncovered the disturbed remains of, an undated, burnt mound with no
other associated archaeological features. The burnt mound was disturbed by land improvement
works which were undertaken during the 1980s. A small assemblage of animal
bone was recovered from the burnt mound. Two chert flakes and a barbed-and-tanged
flint arrowhead were recovered from possible buried topsoil which survived in places below
the burnt mound deposit.
The excavation at Drumharsna North in Co. Galway uncovered the remains of a historic field system. Archaeologists discovered the subsurface footings of a large field boundary wall that was part of an agricultural field layout marked on 19th century maps. Fragments of a quern stone and lithic artifacts, including a possible Neolithic knife, were found amongst remnants of the collapsed field wall. The site was identified as the location of a recorded ringfort and burial ground, but no structures or human remains were uncovered. Instead, the excavation revealed evidence that the land was used for pasture and agriculture from at least the early medieval period until the late 19th century, when the old field system had been removed.
A small, Late Bronze Age, burnt mound was identified consisting of a large sub-rectangu-
lar pit which was interpreted as a trough and a smaller roughly oval-shaped pit which may
also have been a trough. The large trough had internal stake-holes and pits. A radiocarbon
date of 731–406 Cal BC was returned for the site.
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a small layer of burnt mound material, a large trough and two interconnecting pits located just to the north of the mound, which may also have served as troughs.
A small burnt mound was located at the intersection of three field boundaries. The excavation revealed a central trough and two interconnecting pits which lay just to the north of the mound. Whilst shallow, the interconnecting pits may have served as troughs too. Both the mound material and the fill of one of the pits contained animal bone fragments. Two Middle Bronze Age radiocarbon dates were acquired from two samples: one from the burnt mound material and one from the lower fill of the trough. No artefacts were found.
This report constitutes the final excavation report for a porrly preserved burnt mound in the townland of Ballinillaun, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the CPO for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing.
This site consisted of a poorly preserved, Early Bronze Age, burnt mound. Three pits were excavated and all the fills of the pits contained large proportions of charcoal and heatshattered limestone. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 1934–1773 were obtained from basal fill of a trough. This was one of a series of burnt mounds which clustered in Ballinillaun, Moyveela and Colwood which were located adjacent to a number of turloughs.
This was a small, porrly preserved burnt mound from which a Late Bronze Age date was returned. A shallow trough contained a number of stakeholes in the base of the pit. No finds were found. One Late Bronze Age date was returned from the basal fill of the trough.
This report constitutes the final excavation report on a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of the western extent of a burnt mound, a re-cut trough and a well.
The new road clipped the western edge of a burnt mound. The excavation revealed the presence of a large trough and a well. Both features were located below the remains of the burnt mound material. Two Late Bronze Age radiocarbon dates were obtained from basal fill of the trough and the well.
This excavation report details the archaeological excavation of a burnt mound and six associated troughs located in Caherweelder townland, Co. Galway. The excavation revealed a shallow burnt mound located along the slope of a former turlough. Radiocarbon dating of samples from the mound and one trough fill provided dates of cal BC 2195–2040, indicating an Early Bronze Age date. A late Mesolithic chert blade was also recovered. The site was part of a cluster of burnt mounds in the townland.
The excavation uncovered the disturbed remains of, an undated, burnt mound with no
other associated archaeological features. The burnt mound was disturbed by land improvement
works which were undertaken during the 1980s. A small assemblage of animal
bone was recovered from the burnt mound. Two chert flakes and a barbed-and-tanged
flint arrowhead were recovered from possible buried topsoil which survived in places below
the burnt mound deposit.
The excavation at Drumharsna North in Co. Galway uncovered the remains of a historic field system. Archaeologists discovered the subsurface footings of a large field boundary wall that was part of an agricultural field layout marked on 19th century maps. Fragments of a quern stone and lithic artifacts, including a possible Neolithic knife, were found amongst remnants of the collapsed field wall. The site was identified as the location of a recorded ringfort and burial ground, but no structures or human remains were uncovered. Instead, the excavation revealed evidence that the land was used for pasture and agriculture from at least the early medieval period until the late 19th century, when the old field system had been removed.
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a small burnt mound, a large central trough and a smaller secondary trough.
This was a small disturbed burnt mound located in reclaimed ground on the western edge of an area of rough pasture located to the south of the turlough in Caherweelder townland. A large irregular central trough was located below the undisturbed lower burnt mound deposit. A smaller sub-circular trough was located to the south of the main trough and the burnt mound deposits.
This was a previously known classic kidney shaped burnt mound which was listed as a
Recorded Monument (GA103:083). The site was located within the lands acquired for
the N18 Oranmore to Gort scheme and was fully excavated. The large mound consisted
of a series of deposits consistent with those from other burnt mounds. A single oval
shaped trough was located partially under the mound and to the north-west of the expected
trough location at the centre of the kidney shape. Some slag and a chert scraper
(E3866:23:1) were recovered from stratified deposits within the mound.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA113:121) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance in recent decades and was not visible above ground. The remains of a small 19th-century farmstead are located just to the east of the site. The footprint of the cashel was identified during the excavation as a doughnut-shaped rise in the natural subsoil.
Some remains of the original cashel wall survived below one of the field boundaries that intersect the site. A possible entrance was also identified. The stone-built field walls represent townland boundaries dividing Drumharsna North, Drumharsna South and Owenbristy. Analysis of the animal bone, plant remains and charcoal from the site was undertaken and the finds were also assessed. The find and sample assemblages from the site were mixed with material relating to the nearby post-medieval settlement.
The excavation of the site at Greenhills comprised a mound of burnt material. The mound was located on the northern and eastern side of a hollow and overlay nine pits. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from the fill of one of the pits. A flint scraper E3638:7:1 dating to the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age was recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of the site at Garravally E3589 comprised two post-holes and a pit. No ecofacts or artefacts were recovered and no radiocarbon date was obtained.
Two phases of prehistoric activity were recorded at Culleenwaine. A group of 18 pits was dated to the first half of the Neolithic Period. Lithics, pottery, burnt animal bone and a small quantity of charred seeds were recovered from some of the Neolithic pits. The second phase of activity was dated to the Early Bronze Age. It comprised a burnt mound which was associated with three troughs and at least four small pits. Evidence for lining was recorded in two of the troughs. Two, un-stratified lithics, a flint convex end scraper and a chert retouched blade were associated with the Early Bronze Age phase of activity.
The site was disturbed in the modern period by the excavation of a field boundary. It subsequently went out of use and was back filled. The associated land reclamation works disturbed the extent of the layers of burnt mound material.
The excavation of the site at Moatquarter comprised a Bronze Age house dating to the Middle Bronze Age. It was defined by a double ring of post-holes. The inner ring was concentric with the outer ring but the outer ring was not complete. It enclosed the rear and more than half the sides of the structure. The internal diameter of the structure was 5.8 m and it enclosed an area of 26.1 m2 . The entrance to the house faced south-southeast.
The excavation of the site at Loughan comprised a small group of features; four pits, three posts and two hearths. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from one of the features.
No structure was recorded but the group of features were probably domestic in origin, despite the lack of plant remains or artefactual evidence.
This report constitutes the final excavation report for a group of pits and a small layer of burnt mound material in the townland of Ballinillaun, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the Compulsory Purchase Order for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a burnt mound with associated troughs and pits.
This site consisted of a poorly preserved, Middle Bronze Age, burnt mound. A series of three interconnecting pits were filled with charcoal-rich fills. Two more pits and a possible post-hole were located just to the north of the central pits and were partly overlaid by a layer of small to medium sized angular limestone. Although all the fills of the pits contained large proportions of charcoal there was no indication of burning in situ in the form of underlying fire reddened clay or lumps of scorched clay.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA096:085) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance and was not visible above ground. The foundation level of a non-circular wall, which consisted of an inner and an outer face with an internal rubble
core, was partly traced around the perimeter of a low knoll. One small, internal, stone feature was identified below a stone deposit which covered the entire interior of the site.
A beautifully preserved baluster-headed ringed pin, dated from the 7th to the 8th century, was recovered during the excavation along with a crinoid fossil bead of possibly similar date. No suitable dating material was recovered during the excavation.
This excavation revealed the extant remains of a late medieval, mixed feed, permanent
lime kiln in the townland of Cullenagh More. The lime kiln consisted of a square structure
with a kiln pot measuring, roughly, 3.5 m across and with a surviving depth of 1.5
m. There was a central flue in each of the four walls. In its later days the kiln was used
as a storage shed and although disused, was known locally, into the 20th century. A late
medieval date was returned from the kiln.
Archaeological Report - Ballyglass West , Co. Galway (Ireland) John Tierney
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a large burnt mound and modern well in the townland of Ballyglass West, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for the N18 Gort to Oranmore road scheme. The site was discovered during Phase 1 archaeological testing of the new route under Ministerial Directions A045 (E3723).
The excavation of a large burnt mound at Ballyglass West revealed a number of archaeological features. The mound itself contained up to 16 different deposits consisting of varying amounts of stone, burnt stone and charcoal-rich black silty clay. Eight potential troughs were identified below the burnt mound deposits one of which appeared to be stone lined, and others had internal and external stakeholes. Five pits of varying size and shape were also excavated. A natural spring towards the centre of the burnt mound material was used and adapted as a well in the modern period comprising an encircling drystone wall and entrance steps. A single chert flake from the early prehistoric period was recovered from a layer in the burnt mound. Other more recent finds, associated with the well, such as copper alloy pins and a button, clay pipes and ceramic pottery fragments were also uncovered. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered during the excavation. The analysis of the plant remains revealed that Ballyglass West is among the few burnt mound sites that have yielded cereal remains, albeit in very small amounts. The four radiocarbon dates acquired for the site revealed dates ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of a charcoal-rich layer atop a gravel ridge at Caherweelder revealed an
ironworking hearth or furnace which produced two Iron Age dates. A single chert piece,
identified as a possible hone stone, was found, and along with a small but varied animal
bone assemblage, including cattle, pig, sheep/goat and red deer may represent detritus
from a broad time span. Charcoal analysis identified that a range of species were collected
for ironworking with alder dominating one lower layer and charcoal from hawthorn/
apple-type dominating a higher layer of the ironworking pit. The two radiocarbon dates
acquired for the site revealed dates tightly clustered in the Iron Age period (cal BC 85–80
–cal AD 54–59; cal BC 91–69 – cal AD 36–52).
A well, marked on the Down Survey map from the 1650s was named as Peter’s Well on the
first edition Ordnance Survey map and was listed as a Recorded Monument (GA103:084).
Local information suggests that the well was backfilled about 100 years ago and that a
nearby pool known as Toberawoneen Pool was deepened and widened by machine and
replaced it as the local well. The excavation revealed the location of the blocked up well
which was identified by the remains of a stone revetment which enclosed it. A number of
ditches and the possible remains of a hard standing were also identified.
This report analyses the individual structures and researches the historical and social
background of a small group of buildings in Roevehagh townland which were subject to
survey and test excavations. The group included a pair of buildings and a single, similar
building, located c. 45 m to the north. This building group appears to represent two prefamine
farming households likely to have been constructed by a group of tenant farmers
at Roevehagh. It is likely to have been abandoned prior to the Great Famine 1845–49.
Structure 1 is depicted on the 1838 OS map and is partly depicted on the 1895 OS map. It
is depicted only as a small outline, indicating that it is roofless on the 1929 OS map. These
buildings probably went out of use after the earlier 19th century village of Roevehagh was
established, as a response to changes in the socio-economic structures in Galway.
This report analyses the individual structures and researches the historical and social
background of a clachan settlement, a portion of which was excavated, at Moyveela be-
tween 4 March and 12 April 2008. The five buildings and associated features excavated
represents part of a larger pre-famine clachan settlement likely to have been constructed
by a group of tenant farmers from the Moyveela Estate. The clachan was probably aban-
doned prior to the Great Famine of 1845–49 as it is not depicted on the Ordnance Survey
first edition map.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 1 comprised two separate areas of excavation.
A group of over 30 pits, post-holes and stake-holes were excavated in Area 1. An Early Bronze Age and an Iron Age date were returned from pits in Area 1. At Area 2 there were 26 cut features, these included six slot trenches, five pits, eight stake-holes and four post-holes, which represented the truncated remains of a Bronze Age house. A saddle quern, a small quantity of charred animal bone and a token deposit of the cremated remains of a juvenile were recovered from the Bronze Age house.
Three separate cuttings were excavated at Derrybane 1. Area 1 measured 20 m by 20 m, Area 2 measured 92 m by 30 m and Area 3 measured 13 m by 15 m. Three large pits were excavated in Area 1. Area 2 was characterised by 22 small and shallow pits, located for the most part in the centre of the site, 12 postholes and three hearths. The entire area was truncated by modern drains and furrows. An Early Bronze Age date, an early medieval and a medieval date were returned from pits and a hearth in Area 2. A corn-drying kiln and associated pit were recorded in Area 3. The figure-of-eight type kiln comprised two oval chambers separated by a flue. There was evidence for three or four phases of use in the kiln. A large oval pit was located adjacent to the kiln. The pit contained large amounts of burnt material, possibly waste from the kiln. The kiln was dated to the medieval period.
There were two separate areas, 1 and 2, excavated at Greenhills 3. Area 1 was located in the western part of the site and comprised three small separate mounds of burnt material.
The mounds overlay six troughs and two pits. A third pit was located east of the central mound. Evidence of lining was recorded in one of the troughs. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from one of the fills of one of the troughs. A flint blade (E3658:1:2) was recovered from the topsoil.
Area 2 was located 30 m east of Area 1. The ground to the immediate west of the mounds of burnt material in Area 2 was low-lying and boggy and criss-crossed with land drains. It must have been the source of water for the troughs in Area 2 in prehistory. The northern mound of burnt material overlay seven trough and three pits. The southern mound of burnt material overlay one trough. Evidence of lining was recorded in five of the troughs. One Early Bronze Age and one Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a hearth and a trough. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from the fills of two of the troughs and two of the layers. Two flaked pieces of chert (E3658:34:1-2) were recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of the site at Kildrum revealed a fulacht fiadh with five troughs with numerous fills of burnt mound material. The actual burnt mound survived only as shallow layers truncated by a deep field boundary. Two of the troughs were large in size and showed evidence of lining as stake-holes were recorded in the base of the troughs. Early Bronze Age dates were returned from charcoal from two of the fills of the troughs. The site was truncated by a field boundary, several land drains and a modern forest plantation.
No water source is evident in the immediate surrounds of the site but running water was recorded in the base of the field boundary. Analysis of charcoal from the site suggests that almost equal amounts of hazel, oak, and alder charcoal were used in the fires at the site.
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin comprised a burnt mound which overlay a well, a trough and a small group of pits. The well was 7 m in diameter and over 2.5 m in depth.
It was fed by a spring at the base. The trough was located on the western side of the well.
A medieval date was returned from one of the basal fills of the well. The remains of a second burnt mound were located 40 m to the west. It comprised a trough and two pits.
A Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a fill of the trough. A small quantity of plant remains and animal bone was recovered primarily from the fills of the well and a pit at the western end of the site. Three ditches were located to the north of the mound of burnt material. The ditches correspond to a field boundary marked on the 1st ed. OS map sheet TN21.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 6, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The site at Ballinglanna North 6 was divided into two areas. An early Mesolithic flint blade (E3972:1:1) was recovered from the topsoil. Area 1 comprised a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh that extended beyond the limit of the excavation to the west. The mound overlay a trough that had been re-cut. An Early Bronze Age date was returned for the mound. Area 2 was located 65 m to the north of Area 1. A pit was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation and extended beyond the baulk. A flint blade (E3972:21:2), dating to the first half of the Neolithic and a fragment of a quern stone (E3972:21:1) were recovered from the fill of the pit. Two hearths and associated stake-holes and two pits dating to the early modern period were also excavated in Area 2. An early modern date was returned for one of the hearths. The entire area of excavation was truncated by land drains, furrows and field ditches.
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a burnt mound in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the lands acquired for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a small burnt mound, a large central trough and a smaller secondary trough.
This was a small disturbed burnt mound located in reclaimed ground on the western edge of an area of rough pasture located to the south of the turlough in Caherweelder townland. A large irregular central trough was located below the undisturbed lower burnt mound deposit. A smaller sub-circular trough was located to the south of the main trough and the burnt mound deposits.
This was a previously known classic kidney shaped burnt mound which was listed as a
Recorded Monument (GA103:083). The site was located within the lands acquired for
the N18 Oranmore to Gort scheme and was fully excavated. The large mound consisted
of a series of deposits consistent with those from other burnt mounds. A single oval
shaped trough was located partially under the mound and to the north-west of the expected
trough location at the centre of the kidney shape. Some slag and a chert scraper
(E3866:23:1) were recovered from stratified deposits within the mound.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA113:121) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance in recent decades and was not visible above ground. The remains of a small 19th-century farmstead are located just to the east of the site. The footprint of the cashel was identified during the excavation as a doughnut-shaped rise in the natural subsoil.
Some remains of the original cashel wall survived below one of the field boundaries that intersect the site. A possible entrance was also identified. The stone-built field walls represent townland boundaries dividing Drumharsna North, Drumharsna South and Owenbristy. Analysis of the animal bone, plant remains and charcoal from the site was undertaken and the finds were also assessed. The find and sample assemblages from the site were mixed with material relating to the nearby post-medieval settlement.
The excavation of the site at Greenhills comprised a mound of burnt material. The mound was located on the northern and eastern side of a hollow and overlay nine pits. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from the fill of one of the pits. A flint scraper E3638:7:1 dating to the Late Neolithic / Early Bronze Age was recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of the site at Garravally E3589 comprised two post-holes and a pit. No ecofacts or artefacts were recovered and no radiocarbon date was obtained.
Two phases of prehistoric activity were recorded at Culleenwaine. A group of 18 pits was dated to the first half of the Neolithic Period. Lithics, pottery, burnt animal bone and a small quantity of charred seeds were recovered from some of the Neolithic pits. The second phase of activity was dated to the Early Bronze Age. It comprised a burnt mound which was associated with three troughs and at least four small pits. Evidence for lining was recorded in two of the troughs. Two, un-stratified lithics, a flint convex end scraper and a chert retouched blade were associated with the Early Bronze Age phase of activity.
The site was disturbed in the modern period by the excavation of a field boundary. It subsequently went out of use and was back filled. The associated land reclamation works disturbed the extent of the layers of burnt mound material.
The excavation of the site at Moatquarter comprised a Bronze Age house dating to the Middle Bronze Age. It was defined by a double ring of post-holes. The inner ring was concentric with the outer ring but the outer ring was not complete. It enclosed the rear and more than half the sides of the structure. The internal diameter of the structure was 5.8 m and it enclosed an area of 26.1 m2 . The entrance to the house faced south-southeast.
The excavation of the site at Loughan comprised a small group of features; four pits, three posts and two hearths. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from one of the features.
No structure was recorded but the group of features were probably domestic in origin, despite the lack of plant remains or artefactual evidence.
This report constitutes the final excavation report for a group of pits and a small layer of burnt mound material in the townland of Ballinillaun, Co. Galway. The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme. The site was found within the Compulsory Purchase Order for the scheme during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a burnt mound with associated troughs and pits.
This site consisted of a poorly preserved, Middle Bronze Age, burnt mound. A series of three interconnecting pits were filled with charcoal-rich fills. Two more pits and a possible post-hole were located just to the north of the central pits and were partly overlaid by a layer of small to medium sized angular limestone. Although all the fills of the pits contained large proportions of charcoal there was no indication of burning in situ in the form of underlying fire reddened clay or lumps of scorched clay.
The site was a recorded early medieval enclosure or cashel (GA096:085) which was depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area. The site was levelled and destroyed by land clearance and was not visible above ground. The foundation level of a non-circular wall, which consisted of an inner and an outer face with an internal rubble
core, was partly traced around the perimeter of a low knoll. One small, internal, stone feature was identified below a stone deposit which covered the entire interior of the site.
A beautifully preserved baluster-headed ringed pin, dated from the 7th to the 8th century, was recovered during the excavation along with a crinoid fossil bead of possibly similar date. No suitable dating material was recovered during the excavation.
This excavation revealed the extant remains of a late medieval, mixed feed, permanent
lime kiln in the townland of Cullenagh More. The lime kiln consisted of a square structure
with a kiln pot measuring, roughly, 3.5 m across and with a surviving depth of 1.5
m. There was a central flue in each of the four walls. In its later days the kiln was used
as a storage shed and although disused, was known locally, into the 20th century. A late
medieval date was returned from the kiln.
Archaeological Report - Ballyglass West , Co. Galway (Ireland) John Tierney
This report constitutes the final excavation report of a large burnt mound and modern well in the townland of Ballyglass West, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for the N18 Gort to Oranmore road scheme. The site was discovered during Phase 1 archaeological testing of the new route under Ministerial Directions A045 (E3723).
The excavation of a large burnt mound at Ballyglass West revealed a number of archaeological features. The mound itself contained up to 16 different deposits consisting of varying amounts of stone, burnt stone and charcoal-rich black silty clay. Eight potential troughs were identified below the burnt mound deposits one of which appeared to be stone lined, and others had internal and external stakeholes. Five pits of varying size and shape were also excavated. A natural spring towards the centre of the burnt mound material was used and adapted as a well in the modern period comprising an encircling drystone wall and entrance steps. A single chert flake from the early prehistoric period was recovered from a layer in the burnt mound. Other more recent finds, associated with the well, such as copper alloy pins and a button, clay pipes and ceramic pottery fragments were also uncovered. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered during the excavation. The analysis of the plant remains revealed that Ballyglass West is among the few burnt mound sites that have yielded cereal remains, albeit in very small amounts. The four radiocarbon dates acquired for the site revealed dates ranging from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Bronze Age.
The excavation of a charcoal-rich layer atop a gravel ridge at Caherweelder revealed an
ironworking hearth or furnace which produced two Iron Age dates. A single chert piece,
identified as a possible hone stone, was found, and along with a small but varied animal
bone assemblage, including cattle, pig, sheep/goat and red deer may represent detritus
from a broad time span. Charcoal analysis identified that a range of species were collected
for ironworking with alder dominating one lower layer and charcoal from hawthorn/
apple-type dominating a higher layer of the ironworking pit. The two radiocarbon dates
acquired for the site revealed dates tightly clustered in the Iron Age period (cal BC 85–80
–cal AD 54–59; cal BC 91–69 – cal AD 36–52).
A well, marked on the Down Survey map from the 1650s was named as Peter’s Well on the
first edition Ordnance Survey map and was listed as a Recorded Monument (GA103:084).
Local information suggests that the well was backfilled about 100 years ago and that a
nearby pool known as Toberawoneen Pool was deepened and widened by machine and
replaced it as the local well. The excavation revealed the location of the blocked up well
which was identified by the remains of a stone revetment which enclosed it. A number of
ditches and the possible remains of a hard standing were also identified.
This report analyses the individual structures and researches the historical and social
background of a small group of buildings in Roevehagh townland which were subject to
survey and test excavations. The group included a pair of buildings and a single, similar
building, located c. 45 m to the north. This building group appears to represent two prefamine
farming households likely to have been constructed by a group of tenant farmers
at Roevehagh. It is likely to have been abandoned prior to the Great Famine 1845–49.
Structure 1 is depicted on the 1838 OS map and is partly depicted on the 1895 OS map. It
is depicted only as a small outline, indicating that it is roofless on the 1929 OS map. These
buildings probably went out of use after the earlier 19th century village of Roevehagh was
established, as a response to changes in the socio-economic structures in Galway.
This report analyses the individual structures and researches the historical and social
background of a clachan settlement, a portion of which was excavated, at Moyveela be-
tween 4 March and 12 April 2008. The five buildings and associated features excavated
represents part of a larger pre-famine clachan settlement likely to have been constructed
by a group of tenant farmers from the Moyveela Estate. The clachan was probably aban-
doned prior to the Great Famine of 1845–49 as it is not depicted on the Ordnance Survey
first edition map.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 1 comprised two separate areas of excavation.
A group of over 30 pits, post-holes and stake-holes were excavated in Area 1. An Early Bronze Age and an Iron Age date were returned from pits in Area 1. At Area 2 there were 26 cut features, these included six slot trenches, five pits, eight stake-holes and four post-holes, which represented the truncated remains of a Bronze Age house. A saddle quern, a small quantity of charred animal bone and a token deposit of the cremated remains of a juvenile were recovered from the Bronze Age house.
Three separate cuttings were excavated at Derrybane 1. Area 1 measured 20 m by 20 m, Area 2 measured 92 m by 30 m and Area 3 measured 13 m by 15 m. Three large pits were excavated in Area 1. Area 2 was characterised by 22 small and shallow pits, located for the most part in the centre of the site, 12 postholes and three hearths. The entire area was truncated by modern drains and furrows. An Early Bronze Age date, an early medieval and a medieval date were returned from pits and a hearth in Area 2. A corn-drying kiln and associated pit were recorded in Area 3. The figure-of-eight type kiln comprised two oval chambers separated by a flue. There was evidence for three or four phases of use in the kiln. A large oval pit was located adjacent to the kiln. The pit contained large amounts of burnt material, possibly waste from the kiln. The kiln was dated to the medieval period.
There were two separate areas, 1 and 2, excavated at Greenhills 3. Area 1 was located in the western part of the site and comprised three small separate mounds of burnt material.
The mounds overlay six troughs and two pits. A third pit was located east of the central mound. Evidence of lining was recorded in one of the troughs. An Early Bronze Age date was returned from one of the fills of one of the troughs. A flint blade (E3658:1:2) was recovered from the topsoil.
Area 2 was located 30 m east of Area 1. The ground to the immediate west of the mounds of burnt material in Area 2 was low-lying and boggy and criss-crossed with land drains. It must have been the source of water for the troughs in Area 2 in prehistory. The northern mound of burnt material overlay seven trough and three pits. The southern mound of burnt material overlay one trough. Evidence of lining was recorded in five of the troughs. One Early Bronze Age and one Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a hearth and a trough. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from the fills of two of the troughs and two of the layers. Two flaked pieces of chert (E3658:34:1-2) were recovered from one of the layers.
The excavation of the site at Kildrum revealed a fulacht fiadh with five troughs with numerous fills of burnt mound material. The actual burnt mound survived only as shallow layers truncated by a deep field boundary. Two of the troughs were large in size and showed evidence of lining as stake-holes were recorded in the base of the troughs. Early Bronze Age dates were returned from charcoal from two of the fills of the troughs. The site was truncated by a field boundary, several land drains and a modern forest plantation.
No water source is evident in the immediate surrounds of the site but running water was recorded in the base of the field boundary. Analysis of charcoal from the site suggests that almost equal amounts of hazel, oak, and alder charcoal were used in the fires at the site.
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin comprised a burnt mound which overlay a well, a trough and a small group of pits. The well was 7 m in diameter and over 2.5 m in depth.
It was fed by a spring at the base. The trough was located on the western side of the well.
A medieval date was returned from one of the basal fills of the well. The remains of a second burnt mound were located 40 m to the west. It comprised a trough and two pits.
A Middle Bronze Age date was returned from a fill of the trough. A small quantity of plant remains and animal bone was recovered primarily from the fills of the well and a pit at the western end of the site. Three ditches were located to the north of the mound of burnt material. The ditches correspond to a field boundary marked on the 1st ed. OS map sheet TN21.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 6, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The site at Ballinglanna North 6 was divided into two areas. An early Mesolithic flint blade (E3972:1:1) was recovered from the topsoil. Area 1 comprised a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh that extended beyond the limit of the excavation to the west. The mound overlay a trough that had been re-cut. An Early Bronze Age date was returned for the mound. Area 2 was located 65 m to the north of Area 1. A pit was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation and extended beyond the baulk. A flint blade (E3972:21:2), dating to the first half of the Neolithic and a fragment of a quern stone (E3972:21:1) were recovered from the fill of the pit. Two hearths and associated stake-holes and two pits dating to the early modern period were also excavated in Area 2. An early modern date was returned for one of the hearths. The entire area of excavation was truncated by land drains, furrows and field ditches.
The excavation of the site at Gortnahown 4 revealed deposits of disturbed burnt mound material overlain by re-deposited subsoil. The layers of burnt mound material were ex situ. They may have been removed from their original location during land reclamation works. No radiocarbon date was obtained for this site.
This report details an archaeological excavation of site E2420 - Caherdrinny 1, a burnt mound located in Co. Cork. The excavation was conducted as part of an archaeological assessment for the proposed N8 Fermoy to Mitchelstown road project. The excavation of the burnt mound revealed a deposit of heat-shattered stone and charcoal, interpreted as the remains of a truncated burnt mound. No radiocarbon date was obtained for this site. The report provides background on the road project, excavation methodology and results, and discusses the site in the context of other Bronze Age sites found in the area.
The excavation of the site at Clashnevin 2 comprised a group of stake-holes, pits, post-holes and layers. The domestic activity was dated to the late Bronze Age / early Iron Age.
The two dates were returned from the fill of a pit and an occupation layer. Evidence of wild food exploitation was found in tandem with evidence for cereal cultivation. A small assemblage of animal bone was recovered from two of the occupation layers.
Archaeological Report - Ballinglanna North 2, Co. Cork (Ireland)John Tierney
The excavation of the site at Ballinglanna North 2 E2415 was divided into three areas of excavation. No archaeology was recorded in Area 1. The archaeological features at Area 2 comprised four hearths, a pit, three post-holes, and a stake-hole. The archaeological features excavated at Area 3 included 16 pits and a post-hole. Modern field boundaries were recorded within the area of excavation. A small assemblage of flint artefacts dating to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period was recorded at the site. An early medieval radiocarbon date was returned from one of the pits in Area 3.
The excavation at Clynoe in County Offaly revealed the western arc of a small ditched enclosure that had previously been classified as a ringfort. No artifacts or radiocarbon dates were recovered from the site, as the charcoal samples were contaminated. The earthwork had been truncated by the construction of a road and farm buildings. The report provides details on the archaeological excavation methodology and results.
The site at Gortnahown was divided into five separate cuttings. Areas 1 and 2 comprised one cutting. Area 3 was located 80 m to the south-west. Area 4 was located 110 m south-west of Area 3 and Area 5 was located 65 m south of Area 4. Areas of activity centred on hearths were dated to the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age period. One of the hearth-side groups was associated with flint knapping. Two substantial roundhouses and two ancillary structures, including a workshop were dated to the early medieval period. Evidence for all phases of metalworking including the manufacture of bronze coated iron bells was recorded at the site. The area was enclosed by a ditch in the medieval or post-medieval period.
Evidence for Early Neolithic and Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age occupation was recorded in the form of a number of pits and post-holes in Area 3. Post-medieval pits and ditches were recorded in Area 4. The truncated remains of two possible medieval houses and a number of pits were recorded in Area 5.
Similar to Archaeological Report - Moyveela 2, Co. Galway (Ireland) (20)
The Historic Graves Project involves community volunteers conducting archaeological surveys of historic graveyards. Volunteers use GPS cameras and audio recorders to photograph, document, and map over 1,200 headstones across 11 graveyards over two years. For each graveyard, the project creates a folder with a register of graves, a sketch map, contact sheets of photographs, and record sheets. The goal is to explore, protect, and promote awareness of Ireland's historic graveyards.
Public talk by John Tierney on recent work on the O'Daly Bardic School, Dromnea, Sheepshead, Cork and outlining a strategy for community-led heritage projects.
An Introduction to the Ballyhoura Peter Robinson Assisted Emigration ProjectJohn Tierney
This document provides an overview of a genealogical tourism project led by Dr. Paul MacCotter and John Tierney to document the history of families that took part in the Peter Robinson Assisted Emigration from Ireland to Canada in the 1820s-1830s. The project involves surveying graveyards and mapping homestead locations to build an online geolocated database of records. The goal is to help descendants research their ancestry and trace the places their families lived before emigrating. Methods for collecting, organizing, and publishing the historical data online are discussed.
Mendicity Institute Transmission book June-August 1882John Tierney
The document discusses the benefits of meditation for reducing stress and anxiety. Regular meditation practice can help calm the mind and body by lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have shown that meditating for just 10-20 minutes per day can have significant positive impacts on both mental and physical health over time.
From headstone to homestead - crowdsourcing & heritage in IrelandJohn Tierney
This document outlines John Tierney's work with Eachtra Archaeological Projects surveying historic graves and homesteads in Ireland. It provides guidance on conducting graveyard surveys through sketch plans, geotagged photos, and record sheets. It also describes a process for identifying historic homesteads through reconnaissance, geotagged photographs, and publishing findings online and in a shared spreadsheet. The goal is to link Irish emigrant communities both within Ireland through shared heritage sites and records, and with communities abroad where emigrants settled.
Human remains of 48 individuals were discovered and excavated during works associated with the Tuam Town Water Supply Scheme in Toberjarlath townland on the eastern edges of Tuam, County Galway. The burials were located within the bounds of the former Tuam Union Workhouse, which opened in 1846. Eighteen grave pits containing between two and four burials each were uncovered. Analysis showed the individuals were paupers buried in the former workhouse grounds in the 19th century. A section of the workhouse boundary wall and internal ditch were also excavated.
Slides from John Tierney's talk on exploring the heritage of Ardmore in the era of digital research and publication. This talk is part of the www.reyndr.com project being developed by Eachtra in association with a number of community groups.
Community Genealogy in Ireland - Historic GravesJohn Tierney
Community engagement in historic graveyard surveys has a multiplier effect. What started as an archaeological survey of headstones has become community genealogy and local history. This talk was presented to the Irish Genealogical Research Society AGM in May 2013.
The Historic Graves Project is a community collaboration that aims to promote genealogical tourism by pinpointing family names and histories across centuries in graveyards in southeast Cork, Ireland. Volunteers record information from historic graveyards to share online and create puzzles and stories to engage people in learning about the people and families represented in each place through time.
Following the discovery of human remains during archaeological monitoring of engineering trial pits in Sawpit Lane a 1 m wide trench was excavated along Sawpit Lane, Church Lane and The Mall in advance of pipelaying associated with the Tuam Town Water Supply in July 2010. The remains of 15 individuals were recorded and excavated along with a series of ditches and pits. A stone culvert and the remains of a boundary wall were also identified. Two of the skeletons and a bone fragment from the base of one of the ditches returned calibrated radiocarbon dates centring on the seventh century. In addition a smithing hearth cake typical of early iron smithing was recovered from the upper fill of the ditch along with a bone trial motif piece which has sixth/seventh century parallels. The other pits and ditches had fills containing relatively mixed finds and animal bone fragments. The excavated features are located outside the present Temple Jarlath enclosure in the middle of Tuam and close to the site of the early medieval market area and the site of the post-medieval shambles. The pits may have acted as refuse pits for waste and the ditches may have demarcated areas or being used as open drains. The early burial evidence and the early possible enclosing ditch coupled with reports of an early unclassified cross slab suggest that the graveyard and enclosure at Temple Jarlath may be associated with St Jarlath’s original early Christian foundation.
This document provides an archaeological excavation report for Adare Castle in County Limerick, Ireland. It includes:
- A history of Adare Castle from its origins in the medieval period through different periods of occupation.
- A description and maps showing the location of the castle and areas excavated between 2001-2006, including the drawbridge, moat, kitchen, great hall, and two domestic areas.
- Results of the excavations including structures like walls, drains, and pits uncovered, along with artifacts found consisting of pottery, wood, bone, stone, metal, glass and leather objects.
- Environmental evidence from animal bones, plant remains, and shells analyzed to understand life at
Archaeological Report - 50-60 South Main Street, Wexford, Co. WexfordJohn Tierney
Occupation evidence dating to the 13th century and later post medieval activity, in the form of a well and boundary wall, associated with the demolished buildings on Peter Street was excavated. The medieval activity was recorded at the central southern part of the site. The area of excavation measured 11.5m north-south by 12m east-west.
All the pits in the excavation trench were medieval in date and are likely to have served as rubbish dumps. The artefactual material and the faunal remains recovered from the various fills would support this hypothesis. There was no evidence that they were used for industrial practises, though waste material from industrial activity was mixed with domestic refuse. They were located in the area of the medieval house burgage plots. No evidence of medieval structures was recorded. It is likely to exist under the foundations of the existing upstanding structures on South Main Street.
The pottery assemblage from the site was examined by the ceramic specialist Clare McCutcheon. The majority of the pottery consisted of local and Irish wares, comprising of Lenister Cooking ware, Wexford-type coarse ware, ware, fine ware and cooking ware. The English wares consisted of Minety-type, Ham Green and Redcliffe wares. The Wexford-type wares indicate local pottery production, although no medieval pottery kilns have as yet been located in Wexford. The French wares particularly the Saintonge ware, from the southwest of France, jugs, represented the wealthier tastes.
Archaeological Report - IDA Arklow Business & Technology Park, Ballynattin, C...John Tierney
The site was excavated under licence no. 04E0712. It was divided into ten areas of excavation: Areas 1-6, Area 6W, Area 7, Area 10 and Area 12.The earliest evidence for human activity was an Early Neolithic radiocarbon date obtained from the fill of a ditch in Area 6. However, there is no evidence for associated Early Neolithic activity. Most of the archaeological features excavated at Ballynattin were Bronze Age. Bronze Age pits were found in Area 6W, there was a spread of Bronze Age material in Area 3 and three partial Bronze Age structures were found in Areas 6 and 7. These were truncated and approximately only one third of each structure survived for excavation. A furnace excavated in Area 2 may also be Bronze Age in date; it has no associated radiocarbon dates but a saddle quern and flints were found within the furnace fill. The remaining features excavated at the site were primarily post-medieval, including a hearth excavated in Area 4, drains and ditches (Areas 1, 4 and 5) and a 19th century cobbled surface (Area 5).
The site consisted of a sub-circular enclosure with a diameter of approximately 36 m; it was initially identified as a crop mark on an aerial photograph, with no trace at ground level. Three sides of the enclosure were formed by two ditches (recorded as the ‘east ditch’ and the ‘west ditch’). The fourth side was characterised by large pits/postholes and slot trenches which probably continued the line of the enclosure, despite the absence of a ditch. The enclosure surrounded a Bronze Age settlement site, with a sub-circular post and stake-built structure excavated near the centre of the enclosed area and an ancillary structure to the west. This report details the results of excavation at the site and the descriptions are broken down into context complexes: the enclosure, the internal structure, the ancillary building, other internal features and external features.
The greatest proportion of archaeological features encountered at Shandon relate to Medieval activity. While nothing dateable was recovered from the sub-rectangular enclosure ditch itself, the discovery of 12th/13th century pottery from features inside and immediately outside the enclosure provides a strong case that the ditch is contemporaneous.
It must be considered a possibility that the enclosure at Shandon is a Medieval moated site. The latter have been defined as “all rectangular enclosures bounded by banks and moats of Medieval date, whether they enclosed a major house or simply a garden or cattle pen” (Barry 1987, 84). While there was no definite evidence of a bank at Shandon, there is a suggestion that one may have existed. Moated sites date to the 13th and 14th century (ibid., 85) and the local pottery found at Shandon overlaps with this date range.
It must also be considered that the Shandon enclosure relates to Hiberno-Norse activity. Prior to the present work, the motif piece was the sole indicator of such activity. However, this find is now further substantiated by the discovery of an 11th century Hiberno-Norse coin (Plate 12). Because of preservation by redesign and avoidance, a large proportion of archaeological features at Shandon were not excavated and consequently it is quite possible that further diagnostic Hiberno-Norse material survives on the site. However, one coin and a trial piece do not a Hiberno-Norse settlement make and it is plausible that the coin was deposited in Anglo-Norman times long after its original period of manufacture and use.
Eachtra archaeological projects undertook excavation of Stratham’s garage in January and February of 2005 under licence 99E0757, an extension to a pre-existing licence. In total some eighty pits were excavated with a small number of linear features and post-medieval wall foundations, drains and a cobbled surface also present. There was no evidence for a medieval structure in this area of the site and many of the pits were filled with refuse. The excavated area was interpreted as the partial remains of four medieval burgage plots. Recent excavations of the area immediately north and adjacent to this site will hopefully provide material comparable to the results from the Stratham’s Garage site.
The buildings to the rear of 26 Patrick St. were demolished. The area of the extension to the rear to the hotel measured 20m by 13m. The area of excavation was bounded by a stone wall to the south, by a building site to the north and west and by the Georgian building, 26 Patrick St., due for refurbishment to the east.
Occupation evidence dating to the 13th century and later post medieval activity associated with the demolished extension to 26 Patrick St. was excavated. The medieval activity was recorded at the western side of the site. Post-medieval construction, associated with the red brick foundations of the extension to the rear of the Georgian building which fronts onto Patrick St., had truncated medieval activity at the eastern end. The destroyed earlier medieval activity is evidenced by the occurrence of both medieval and post-medieval pottery in the same strata.
Most of the archaeological features recorded during this excavation were pits, 26 in total, two walls and a well were also excavated.
Most of the contexts were dated according to the artefacts retrieved from their fills. Therefore, pits with exclusively or almost exclusively medieval pottery were classified as medieval, whereas pits with medieval and post-medieval finds were classified as post-medieval. However, as most of the excavated features were backfilled, it is possible that some of the cut features that contained deposits, with inclusions of post-medieval artefacts, were actually open and in use in the medieval period.
The remains uncovered can be divided into medieval, post-medieval and modern. The pits were in general sub-circular and oval in plan, and, with the exception of pit C.98, were on average 2.06 m in length by 1.36 m in width by 0.61 m in depth. The fills of the pits were a mix of dark grey brown silty clay with occasional inclusions of animal bone and pottery. A total of 26 pits, two walls and a well were recorded.
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering.pptxDenish Jangid
Chapter wise All Notes of First year Basic Civil Engineering
Syllabus
Chapter-1
Introduction to objective, scope and outcome the subject
Chapter 2
Introduction: Scope and Specialization of Civil Engineering, Role of civil Engineer in Society, Impact of infrastructural development on economy of country.
Chapter 3
Surveying: Object Principles & Types of Surveying; Site Plans, Plans & Maps; Scales & Unit of different Measurements.
Linear Measurements: Instruments used. Linear Measurement by Tape, Ranging out Survey Lines and overcoming Obstructions; Measurements on sloping ground; Tape corrections, conventional symbols. Angular Measurements: Instruments used; Introduction to Compass Surveying, Bearings and Longitude & Latitude of a Line, Introduction to total station.
Levelling: Instrument used Object of levelling, Methods of levelling in brief, and Contour maps.
Chapter 4
Buildings: Selection of site for Buildings, Layout of Building Plan, Types of buildings, Plinth area, carpet area, floor space index, Introduction to building byelaws, concept of sun light & ventilation. Components of Buildings & their functions, Basic concept of R.C.C., Introduction to types of foundation
Chapter 5
Transportation: Introduction to Transportation Engineering; Traffic and Road Safety: Types and Characteristics of Various Modes of Transportation; Various Road Traffic Signs, Causes of Accidents and Road Safety Measures.
Chapter 6
Environmental Engineering: Environmental Pollution, Environmental Acts and Regulations, Functional Concepts of Ecology, Basics of Species, Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Hydrological Cycle; Chemical Cycles: Carbon, Nitrogen & Phosphorus; Energy Flow in Ecosystems.
Water Pollution: Water Quality standards, Introduction to Treatment & Disposal of Waste Water. Reuse and Saving of Water, Rain Water Harvesting. Solid Waste Management: Classification of Solid Waste, Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Solid. Recycling of Solid Waste: Energy Recovery, Sanitary Landfill, On-Site Sanitation. Air & Noise Pollution: Primary and Secondary air pollutants, Harmful effects of Air Pollution, Control of Air Pollution. . Noise Pollution Harmful Effects of noise pollution, control of noise pollution, Global warming & Climate Change, Ozone depletion, Greenhouse effect
Text Books:
1. Palancharmy, Basic Civil Engineering, McGraw Hill publishers.
2. Satheesh Gopi, Basic Civil Engineering, Pearson Publishers.
3. Ketki Rangwala Dalal, Essentials of Civil Engineering, Charotar Publishing House.
4. BCP, Surveying volume 1
Temple of Asclepius in Thrace. Excavation resultsKrassimira Luka
The temple and the sanctuary around were dedicated to Asklepios Zmidrenus. This name has been known since 1875 when an inscription dedicated to him was discovered in Rome. The inscription is dated in 227 AD and was left by soldiers originating from the city of Philippopolis (modern Plovdiv).
How to Setup Warehouse & Location in Odoo 17 InventoryCeline George
In this slide, we'll explore how to set up warehouses and locations in Odoo 17 Inventory. This will help us manage our stock effectively, track inventory levels, and streamline warehouse operations.
This document provides an overview of wound healing, its functions, stages, mechanisms, factors affecting it, and complications.
A wound is a break in the integrity of the skin or tissues, which may be associated with disruption of the structure and function.
Healing is the body’s response to injury in an attempt to restore normal structure and functions.
Healing can occur in two ways: Regeneration and Repair
There are 4 phases of wound healing: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. This document also describes the mechanism of wound healing. Factors that affect healing include infection, uncontrolled diabetes, poor nutrition, age, anemia, the presence of foreign bodies, etc.
Complications of wound healing like infection, hyperpigmentation of scar, contractures, and keloid formation.
This presentation was provided by Rebecca Benner, Ph.D., of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, for the second session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session Two: 'Expanding Pathways to Publishing Careers,' was held June 13, 2024.
A Visual Guide to 1 Samuel | A Tale of Two HeartsSteve Thomason
These slides walk through the story of 1 Samuel. Samuel is the last judge of Israel. The people reject God and want a king. Saul is anointed as the first king, but he is not a good king. David, the shepherd boy is anointed and Saul is envious of him. David shows honor while Saul continues to self destruct.
Walmart Business+ and Spark Good for Nonprofits.pdfTechSoup
"Learn about all the ways Walmart supports nonprofit organizations.
You will hear from Liz Willett, the Head of Nonprofits, and hear about what Walmart is doing to help nonprofits, including Walmart Business and Spark Good. Walmart Business+ is a new offer for nonprofits that offers discounts and also streamlines nonprofits order and expense tracking, saving time and money.
The webinar may also give some examples on how nonprofits can best leverage Walmart Business+.
The event will cover the following::
Walmart Business + (https://business.walmart.com/plus) is a new shopping experience for nonprofits, schools, and local business customers that connects an exclusive online shopping experience to stores. Benefits include free delivery and shipping, a 'Spend Analytics” feature, special discounts, deals and tax-exempt shopping.
Special TechSoup offer for a free 180 days membership, and up to $150 in discounts on eligible orders.
Spark Good (walmart.com/sparkgood) is a charitable platform that enables nonprofits to receive donations directly from customers and associates.
Answers about how you can do more with Walmart!"
2. EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects
Final Archaeological Excavation Report
Moyveela 2
Co. Galway
Burnt Mound
Date: October 2010
Client: Galway County Council and National
Roads Authority
Project: N18 Oranmore - Gort
E No: E3884
Excavation Director: Gerry Mullins
Written by: Gerry Mullins & Finn Delaney
3.
4. Final Archaeological Excavation Report
Moyveela 2
Co. Galway
Excavation Director
Gerry Mullins
Written By
Gerry Mullins & Finn Delaney
EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects
CORK GALWAY
The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: info@eachtra.ie tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: galway@eachtra.ie
6. Table of Contents
Summary���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������iii
Acknowledgements�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� iv
1 Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1
2 Background to the scheme �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
3 Topography, geology and hydrology ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 1
4 Archaeological and historical background ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 7
5 Site description ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
6 Methodology ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
7 Results of excavation ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
7�1 Featuresbelowtheburntmound���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10
7�2 Featurestothesouthoftheburntmound�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
7�3 Theburntmound�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
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7�4 Cultivationfurrows������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������16
8 Charred plant remains ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
9 Charcoal ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 18
10 Animal bone ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
11 Radiocarbon dates ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
12 Discussion �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
13 References ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������23
Appendix 1 Context register ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25
Appendix 2 Stratigraphic matrix ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26
Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 27
�
Appendix 4 Charcoal analysis ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 33
Appendix 5 Animal bone report ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 37
i
7. List of Figures
Figure 1: Discovery series Ordnance Survey map showing the route of the new N18
Oranmore to Gort road and the location of all the excavation sites� The excavation
site at Moyveela 2 is highlighted� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2
Figure 2: A distribution map showing the location of prehistoric sites at Moyveela 2� It is
based on the RMP/SMR (Sheet no GA095) data-set which has been overlaid on
the Ordnance Survey discovery series mapping� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
Figure 3: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the first edition
Ordnance Survey map (Sheet GA095)� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also
highlighted� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
Figure 4: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the 25 inch
Ordnance Survey map (Sheet GA095)� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also
highlighted� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
Figure 5: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the RMP/SMR map
which is based on second edition Ordnance Survey map (Sheet GA095)� The
excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also highlighted� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
Figure 6: The soil type at Moyveela 2 (data provided from Teagasc and Forest Service, Dept
of Marine and Natural Resources, EPA)� The map shows the extent of the turlough
visible on the first edition Ordnance Survey map� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
Figure 7: Clusters of burnt mound sites showing the location of Moyvella 2 within the
cluster� The insert shows the level of clustering of burnt mounds in the study area� ����� 12
Figure 8: Interpretive post-excavation plan of the site� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
Figure 9: Post-excavation plan of the site� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
Figure 10: Close-up post-excavation plans of C� 14 and C� 21� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
List of Plates
Plate 1: Looking south-east across the excavation area and the nearby turlough� ������������������������10
Plate 2: Looking north across the excavation area after hand cleaning� ��������������������������������������������� 11
Plate 3: Looking north at the roughly cut trough (C�21) located below the burnt mound� ��������� 14
Plate 4: Looking north at the sub-circular trough located to the south of the burnt mound� ���� 16
List of Tables
Table 1: Site Location Details��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� iii
Table 2: Dimensions of mound, troughs and pits at Moyvella 2 �������������������������������������������������������������10
Table 3: Moyveela 2 Radiocarbon dates ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Table 4: Table of radiocarbon dates from the burnt mound sites on the N18 Gort to
Oranmore ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20
Table 5: Summary of cluster analysis �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������21
ii
8. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
Summary
The excavation revealed the presence of a burnt mound with associated pits and troughs.
The two troughs both had internal stakeholes suggesting in one case some form of lining
and in the other some form of suspension rack. The remains of a H-frame suspension
frame was situated north-west of the largest trough. A number of external pits and stake-
holes hinted at related structures or activities. Two Late Bronze Age dates were returned
for the site cal BC 1010–909. A cow horn and a shed red-deer antler were found in the
abandonment fills of a pair of boiling pits.
Townland Moyveela
Parish Athenry
Barony Dunkellin
County Galway
Ministerial Order Number A045
E Number E3884
OS Map Sheet GA095
National Grid Reference 144919/223257
Elevation 10m O.D.
Site Type Burnt mound
Table 1: Site Location Details
iii
9. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
Acknowledgements
The excavation director was Gerry Mullins and the site supervisors were Tom Joyce and
Tomaz Wasowski. The field crew included Noel Gill, Ray Kennedy, Lukasz Miciak, Cris-
tina Neira Fuentes, Rebecca Wills and Ignacio Gomez Lastrez. The senior archaeologist
was Finn Delaney and the post-excavation manager was Jacinta Kiely. Choryna Kiely,
Fillip Debniak and Fiona Greene were involved with the administration of the project. Il-
lustrations are by Ben Blakeman and Maurizio Toscano. Specialist analysis of the animal
bone was undertaken by Margaret McCarthy. Joseph O’Brien was the resident engineer
for consultant engineers Hyder Tobins. The project was commissioned by Galway Coun-
ty Council and was funded by the National Roads Authority. The project Archaeologist
was Jerry O’Sullivan.
iv
10. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
1 Introduction
This report constitutes the final excavation report for a burnt mound in the townland of
Moyveela, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological exca-
vation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oranmore Road scheme.
The site was found within the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) area for the scheme
during Phase 1 archaeological testing. The site consisted of a burnt mound with associ-
ated troughs and pits.
2 Background to the scheme
The N18 Oranmore to Gort (Glenbrack to Rathmorrissey) national road scheme was
approved by An Bórd Pleanála on 7 June 2007. The development will consist of approxi-
mately 27.2 km of dual carriageway, and all associated works. The area of archaeological
investigations lies within the footprint of the proposed scheme as defined by the Compul-
sory Purchase Order (CPO) published by Galway County Council on 1 August 2006.
Eachtra Archaeological Projects was commissioned by Galway County Council and the
National Roads Authority to undertake Phase 1 archaeological testing and Phase 2 exca-
vation of sites directly impacted by the proposed development.
3 Topography, geology and hydrology
The underlying geology in the surrounding area is Carboniferous limestone of the Bur-
ren and Tubber formations bordered by Namurian shales and sandstones to the west,
in Co. Clare and Devonian old red sandstone to the east, in the Slieve Aughty uplands.
Glacial till overlies the bedrock to varying depths (0–5 m) and the soils derived from
the till are generally deep, well-drained brown earths. The topsoils are characteristically
deep and dry and, enriched by the limestone parent material, support moderately good
grass pastures. There are boulder fields and expanses of bedrock exposure typical of karst
limestone country.
Although a degree of soil variability higher than expected has been recorded on the
landscape near the burnt mounds examined, Moyveela 2, and the nearby Moyveela 1, is
located in a region of relative low soil variability (Fig 6). In an approximately 1 sq. km
area around these sites there is a prevalence of deep well drained mineral soil, with just
12% of shallow well drained soil.
Turloughs and swallow holes are features of areas with an underlying limestone bed-
rock which enables the ground water and water table to produce sometimes perplexing
drainage systems. A large turlough is shown on the Ordnance Survey first edition map
in the south western portion of Coldwood townland and encompasses parts of the town-
lands of Moyveela and Ballinillaun (Fig 3). Two small lakes are also shown namely Poll-
nakirka and Pollawarla respectively. The turlough and lakes were fed by the Lavally river
1
11. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
135000 142500 150000
Derrydonnell More
E3867
Coldwood
225600
225600
E3887
Moyveela 3
Moyveela 2 E3907
E3884
Moyveela 1
Ballinillaun 2 E3883
E3886
Ballinillaun 1
E3888
Lavally
E3869
Roevehagh 2
E4012 Roevehagh 1
E3885
Caherweelder 7
Caherweelder 6 E3826
E3871
Caherweelder 5
Caherweelder 4 E3866
E3708
Caherweelder 3
Caherweelder 2 E3889
E3890
Caherweelder 1
E3880
214400
214400
Owenbristy
E3770
Drumharsna North
E3868
Drumharsna South
E3872
Cullenagh More
E3881
Ballyglass West
E3870
203200
203200
Moyveela 2
¢
135000 142500 150000
0 5 10
CPO line Excavation Areas
Kilometres
Figure 1: Discovery series Ordnance Survey map showing the route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road and the
location of all the excavation sites� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is highlighted�
2
12. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
140000 150000
232000
232000
Moyveela 2
216000
216000
200000
200000
140000 150000
¢
Barrow (57) Cairn (16) Fulacht Fiadh (85) Pit group (2) 0 5
Burial Cist (5) Coastal Fort (1) Hilltop Enclosure (7) Ritual site: Pond (1)
Burial Mound (1) Flat Cemetary (2) Megalithic tomb (19) Standing stone (16) Kilometres
Figure 2: A distribution map showing the location of prehistoric sites at Moyveela 2� It is based on the RMP/SMR
(Sheet no GA095) data-set which has been overlaid on the Ordnance Survey discovery series mapping�
3
13. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
144400 145200
MOYVEELA
223200
223200
COLDWOOD OR FOORKILL
BALLINILLAUN
222400
222400
LAVALLY (DUNKELLIN BY)
TOBERBRACKAN
Moyveela 2
¢
144400 145200
0 0.25 0.5
CPO line Excavation Areas
Kilometres
Figure 3: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the first edition Ordnance Survey map (Sheet
GA095)� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also highlighted�
4
14. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
144200 145500
223600
223600
222400
222400
Moyveela 2
¢
144200 145500
0 0.25 0.5
CPO line Excavation Areas
Kilometres
Figure 4: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the 25 inch Ordnance Survey map (Sheet
GA095)� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also highlighted�
5
15. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
144440 145330
223700
223700
222750
222750
Moyveela 2
¢
144440 145330
EXCAVATION AREA 0 0.25 0.5
ENCLOSURE EARTHWORK BAWN
TOWER HOUSE RINGFORT WELL Kilometres
CPO LINE
Figure 5: The route of the new N18 Oranmore to Gort road overlaid on the RMP/SMR map which is based on second
edition Ordnance Survey map (Sheet GA095)� The excavation site at Moyveela 2 is also highlighted�
6
16. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
from the north-east. A river exits towards the sea at Clarinbridge from the south-west side
of the turlough and is marked as the Clarin river. The river was later dredged and canal-
ised and the turlough was divided into large regular fields.
The availability of water at Moyveela 2 was assured by the turlough which, as shown
on the 1st edition map, extended to the site (Fig 6). The small lake of Pollnakirka and the
River Clarin 1.2 km and 770 m away respectively, complete the water resources in the
vicinity of the site.
4 Archaeological and historical background
The townland name Moyveela derives from the Irish Mhaigh Mhaola which in direct
translation could mean ‘Moyla’s plain’ or ‘Maigh bhile’ the plain of the sacred tree. The
latter interpretation may connect the name to the adjacent townland of Roevehagh, the
‘red birch’, possibly the sacred birch tree.
There seems to have been an expansion of settlement from hill slopes and uplands
into lower lying areas during the Bronze Age. There also seems to have been a trend way
from communal funerary monuments to individual burial monument with associated
grave goods. This would explain the relatively high concentration of barrows in lowland
east Galway.
Barrows are burial monuments of the Bronze Age and Iron Age, which usually consist
of a circular central area, which may be flat or slightly dished (a ring ditch), or domed
(a ring barrow), and which is enclosed by a ditch and occasionally by an external bank).
Bronze Age burials that have been excavated, either in recent times or during the last
century, include some found in cists, pits lined with stone flags, and some in simple pits,
some of which were accompanied by pottery or other grave goods. These can be placed in
tumuli, cairns or barrows, but can also be set within ‘natural’ monuments, such as sand
ridges, or can appear in so-called flat cemeteries, with no above ground marker at all.
These trends are also reflected in south Galway, in the environs of the road, where
stray finds of Bronze Age objects have been found in Toberbrackan and Lavally and a
Bronze Age cist and ‘food vessel urn’ was found in Moyveela (O’Sullivan 2006).
There are no known house sites or settlements of the period in the area, but there are
numerous examples of burnt mounds or fulachta fiadh. These mounds of burnt and shat-
tered stone were the by-products of a favoured technique of immersing heated stones in
pits filled with water, to boil it. Recorded examples occur on or near the proposed road
scheme in Rathmorrissey, Toberroe and Caherweelder and the present programme of
excavation in advance of construction on the N18 Oranmore to Gort road scheme has
added further to the numbers of burnt mound sites in the area.
The distribution map of prehistoric recorded monuments shows a concentration of
ring barrows centered around Derrydonnell North (Fig 2). A Bronze Age cist burial and a
barrow are also recorded to the south-west in the townland of Moyveela. The distribution
7
17. 8
144180 145680
223850
223850
iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237
Moyvella 2
222300
222300
Deep well drained mineral Deep poorly drained mineral 0 0.5 1
Shallow well drained mineral Turlough (1st edition map) Kilometres
144180 145680
¢
Figure 6: The soil type at Moyveela 2 (data provided from Teagasc and Forest Service, Dept of Marine and Natural Resources, EPA)� The map shows the extent of the turlough visible
Final archaeological excavation report
on the first edition Ordnance Survey map�
18. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
map also shows that the burnt mounds at Moyveela and Coldwood fit into a concentra-
tion of this monument type to the south and south-west of Atherny.
The burnt mounds in Moyveela are located in the south-eastern corner of the town-
land. Unusually, the outline of the townland boundary changes slightly between the first
edition Ordnance Survey six inch map and later editions (Fig 3, 4 and 5). The location of
the burnt mounds is shown on the first edition map as being located on rougher ground,
at the western extremity of the large turlough in Coldwood townland to the east. The
small lake known as Pollawarla is shown as being located within the turlough margins
just to the south.
5 Site description
The excavated site was located in the south-western corner of Moyveela townland (NGR
144921/223253) (Fig 1). It is located very close to the point where the three townlands
of Moyveela, Coldwood and Ballinillaun converge. Unusually the townland boundaries
have shifted slightly between the first and second edition Ordnance Survey maps of the
area (Figs 3, 4 and 5). The site is located to the south of the N6 and to the south-east of a
tertiary road running between the N6 and Clarinbridge village.
The site is located on slightly raised ground along the western edge of a large turlough.
There are wide views from the site to the east and south across the open expanse of rough
pasture which corresponds with the turlough (Plate 1). The burnt mound is situated on
a boundary between an enclosed, well managed, field system and the open expanse of
rough pasture. The fields are bounded by single-leaf drystone walls lined with small trees
and scrub. The remains of the towerhouse built by the Burkes is clearly visible to the north
and a lane running from the castle opens out into the turlough land just to the north of
the site. An area of rock outcropping covered in large mature trees is visible to the north-
east of the site.
6 Methodology
An area measuring roughly 20 m x 20 m ( 400 sq m) was topsoil stripped by a 20 tonne
excavator, under archaeological supervision, using a flat bucket to reveal the extents of
the burnt mound and any associated features. The site was then subjected to an inten-
sive hand clean. The burnt mound was fully excavated by hand and recorded using the
single-context recording system with plans and sections being produced at a scale of 1:20
or 1:10 as appropriate. A complete photographic record was maintained throughout the
excavation.
The soil samples taken during the excavation were sieved and the resultant flots were
examined by Mary Dillon for plant remains and charcoal analysis. Two charcoal samples
were sent for radiocarbon dating to Queen’s University in Belfast. The animal bone was
examined by Margaret McCathy.
9
19. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
Plate 1: Looking south-east across the excavation area and the nearby turlough�
7 Results of excavation
A small burnt mound covered the remains of a large trough and two small pits. Stake-
holes were identified within and surrounding the trough. Just to the south of the burnt
mound another large trough with internal stakeholes was identified. A sub-circular pit,
which contained a smaller later pit, was identified to the south of the second trough.
Three parallel plough furrows were identified to the north of the burnt mound. Topsoil
(C.1) in this area was shallow at 0.12 m and all the excavated features were cut directly
into the underlying glacial till (C.2).
Mound area (m) Trough/Pit Shape Dimensions (m) Volume (m3)
6.34 x 5.95 x 0.19 C.14 oval/circular 2.7 x 2.3 x 0.56 3.5
C.15 oval/circular 1.48 x 1.36 x 0.55 1.1
C.21 rectangular 2.45 x 1.45 x 0.33 1.2
C.18 oval 0.6 x 0.31 x 0.22 0.04
C.31 oval 0.78 x 0.52 x 0.47 0.2
C.34 Oval 0.5 x 0.36 x 0.23 0.04
C.35 sub-circular 0.53 x 0.43 x 0.56 0.1
Table 2: Dimensions of mound, troughs and pits at Moyvella 2
7.1 Features below the burnt mound
The largest feature was a sub-rectangular pit (C.21) which was orientated roughly east to
west (Plate 3). It was interpreted as a trough and measured 2.45 m in length, 1.45 m in
width and was 0.33 m in depth. The trough was roughly cut with a very irregular base
and had a single fill (C.26) consisting of burnt mound material. A small pit (C.34) was
located at the base on the western extremity of the trough. Three stakeholes were also
identified driven into the upper sides of the trough (C.21). Two (C.44 and C.42) occurred
on the western edge, and a single stakehole (C.46) was located on the eastern edge. These
features were sub-circular in plan and varied between 0.07 m and 0.04 m in diameter.
The three stakeholes formed a triangular shape, which might suggest use as a suspending
frame. The function of the small pit could not be ascertained. Two stakeholes (C.50 and
C.52) were located c. 0.4 m west of the trough (C.21) and may have formed a shelter or
10
20. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
Plate 2: Looking north across the excavation area after hand cleaning�
rack associated with the use of the trough. Small pieces of wood were noted in the fill of
these stakeholes however the wood could not be identified.
Two pits were located c. 2.5 m north-east of the large central trough (C.21). The larg-
est of the two (C.31) was oval in plan and measured 0.78 m in length, 0.52 m in width
and 0.47 m in depth. Its fill (C.32) contained burnt sandy silt mixed with heat-shattered
stone. The smaller pit (C.35) was sub-circular in plan measuring 0.52 m by 0.43 m by
0.37 m in depth. The fill (C.36) was not as burnt as the others and contained virtually
no heat-shattered stone. The function of the two pits is unknown but they were probably
related to the activities taking place within and around the central trough. It is hypoth-
esized that they were upright posts for a H-frame rack, used, possibly, for suspended
butchery or hide suspension, or both.
7.2 Features to the south of the burnt mound
A sub-circular pit (C.14) was located immediately south of the burnt mound (Plate 4).
The pit was very well cut with a level base and was interpreted as a boiling pit. It was
sub-circular in plan, measuring 2.7 m by 2.3 m by 0.56 m in depth. A single fill (C.9) re-
sembling the burnt mound material contained one fragment of animal bone. Six vertical
stakeholes were identified, cut into the base of the trough (C.14). All the stakeholes were
located at the break of slope of the trough base. They formed a regular pattern apart from
the eastern side, where no stakeholes were identified. The two eastern corner stakeholes
11
21. 143120 146120 149120
12
Moyveela
group
1
1d
r)
i ve
1 (R
ey
bb
226933
226933
a
Caherweelder a ig
group Gr
Ballyglass West
1c
iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237
Cluster
0 10 barycenter
!
(
Kilometres 1b
2.5 km
r)
R i ve
i r(
sc
Ei
Coldwood
1a Moyveela 1
223233
223233
Moyveela 2
Lav
a l ly (
Ri ver
)
Turloughs on 1st edition OSi Map
¢
0 3
Kilometres
143120 146120 149120
Final archaeological excavation report
Figure 7: Clusters of burnt mound sites showing the location of Moyvella 2 within the cluster� The insert shows the level of clustering of burnt mounds in the study area�
22. Moyveela 2-e3884 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3884-moyveela2-co-galway/
144914 144923
±
Cultivation furrows
223265
223265
Mound material
Pits
Trough
223257
223257
Trough
0 5m
144914 144923
Figure 8: Interpretive post-excavation plan of the site�
13
23. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
Plate 3: Looking north at the roughly cut trough (C�21) located below the burnt mound�
(C.19 and C.29) were the most substantial. The stakeholes (C.22 and C.27) occupying
the opposite corners were smaller but of similar dimensions to each other. The two re-
maining (C.24 and C.37) were less substantial. No traces of the original stakes remained
and all cuts were filled (C.20, C.30, C.23, C.28, C.25 and C.38) by mid grey silty sand
with moderate occurrences of sub-rounded and sub-angular pebbles. There was no direct
evidence of wickerwork or of a similar structure but it is suggested that such a feature was
supported by the in situ stakes. The four corner stakeholes were substantial and would
have been capable of either supporting a weight a wickerwork structure. It is probable
that these four stakeholes were the main supports and the two other stakeholes acted as
intermediate supports.
To the south of the southern trough a sub-circular pit (C.15) was identified. The pit
(C.15) measured 1.48 m by 1.36 m and was 0.55 m in deep. It contained a single fill
(C.12) which was similar to the burnt mound material. A single vertical stakehole (C.39)
was identified cut into the western slope of the pit. Interconnected or figure of 8 pit
groups are commonly found on burnt mounds and are increasingly being interpreted as
contemporary and functionally interrelated. In this case the two pits may be contempo-
rary also, just not connected.
Immediately south-west of the pit was a deposit (C.17) of dark black sandy silt with
moderate occurrence of heat shattered angular and sub-angular coarse pebbles and small
stones that stratigraphically pre-dated the pit fill (C.12). It is possible that the deposit
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Plate 4: Looking north at the sub-circular trough located to the south of the burnt mound�
located to the south-west of the pit represents the remains of an earlier cleaning out of
the pit.
A small oval pit (C.18), measuring 0.6 m by 0.31 m by 0.22 m in depth, was cut into
the fill (C.12) of the southernmost pit (C.15).The pit contained orange brown sandy silt
with few inclusions apart from some small fragments of animal bone.
7.3 The burnt mound
A shallow layer of burnt sediment (C.3) (Plate 2) measuring 6.34 m in length, 5.98 m in
width and 0.19 m in maximum depth occupied a central position on the summit of a low
rise. This layer, typical of fulachta fiadh or burnt mound material, consisted of grey/black
sandy clay mixed with frequent medium-sized angular and sub-angular heat-shattered
limestone.
7.4 Cultivation furrows
Three furrows (C.47, C.48, and C.49) were found orientated in an east-west direction at
the northern extremity of the excavated area. It is probable that these are the remnants
of ridge-and-furrow cultivation. There was no stratigraphic relationship between the fur-
rows and the burnt mound material, however, they are likely to reflect a much later use of
the area than that associated with the burnt mound activity.
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12 Discussion
Burnt mounds are the most common Bronze Age sites found in Ireland. Estimates sug-
gest that at least 4,500 examples are known (Power et al. 1997) and this number is con-
tinuously growing as sites continue to be identified during archaeological field work. The
characteristic site-type is found in low-lying and damp ground and consists of a mound of
charcoal-rich black sediment that is packed with heat shattered stones and forms a horse-
shoe shape around a pit or trough that filled with water. In many cases all that survives to
the present day are black charcoal rich deposits with fragments of shattered stones visible
in ploughed fields.
These sites are associated with the process of roasting stones to heat water. The remains
of these ‘pyrolithic technologies’ (terminology follows Ó Néill 2004) produce the tell-tale
deposits rich in charcoal and heat-affected stone. Debate continues about their use, as hot
water is required for many processes including cooking, brewing, washing, dyeing and,
most recently it has been argued that some burnt mounds were primarily used to boil and
cure meat for long term storage (Roycroft 2006).
Traditionally these sites have been interpreted as ancient cooking places, where large
stones were heated in fires and then added to the water-filled trough. The extreme heat
of the stones eventually boiling the water in the trough. Experimental cooking at recon-
structed sites such as Ballyvourney (O’Kelly 1954) has demonstrated that meat wrapped
in straw and placed into a boiling trough can be cooked quite effectively. The perceived
lack of any animal bones from these excavated sites has been used as an argument against
this theory. More recently however there is a growing corpus of sites which have produced
animal bone (Tourunen 2008) and all of the burnt mound sites excavated during the N18
Oranmore to Gort project have produced animal bone all be it in very small quantities.
The traditional perception of the burnt mound site is that they are isolated features on
the landscape situated on marginal ground away from settlement. Recent studies however
are prompting a re-evaluation of this perception. Excavations along the route of the N25
Kilmacthomas realignment in Co. Waterford produced evidence for a burnt mound site
(Ahanaglogh) which was repeatedly used in the Early Bronze Age. Some Early Bronze
Age dates from a nearby settlement site suggest that there may have been an overlap in
occupation. (Johnston et al 2008). A similar discovery was made at Cloghers II, Co.
Kerry where Beaker settlement was found in close association with and proximity to an
Early Bronze Age burnt mound (Kiely and Dunne 2005). The recent publication on the
archaeology of Clare Island has also established the intimate relationship between burnt
mounds and settlement areas (Gosling 2007). Surveys on Clare Island highlighted the
spatial association of the identified burnt mounds with enclosures, houses and huts and
boundary walls.
Until recently, comparatively few burnt mound sites had been excavated in County
Galway. The excavations data-set listed 18 excavations of burnt mounds in the county
prior to 2006 (Bennett 1970–2003). The published archaeological inventories for the
county record only six examples from the west of the county and 17 in the north. Large
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scale archaeological works such as those associated with the N6 Galway to Ballinasloe
road scheme suggest that the numbers recorded are under representative: the N6 archaeo-
logical works identified thirteen burnt mound sites. However work associated with the
gas pipeline to the west revealed only 1 new burnt mound site in Co. Galway (Grogan
et al. 2007). The inventory for the south of the county is not yet published but a look at
the distribution map based on the RMP data would suggest that the numbers are sig-
nificantly higher in the southern portion of the county. Archaeological investigations on
the N18 from Oranmore to Gort and from Gort to Crusheen bear out this impression of
under representation. A total of 12 burnt mounds including Moyveela 2 were excavated
on the Gort to Oranmore section while 27 burnt mound sites were excavated on the N18
Gort to Crusheen section by Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site Name E No. Radiocarbon date (2 sigma) cal BC Period
Ballinillaun 1 E3888 1260– 1228 MBA
1220–1108
1105–1055
Ballinillaun 2 E3886 1912–1876 EBA
1842–1821
1797–1781
Ballyglass west E3870 1411–1290 MBA
1280–1270
1687–1602 EBA
1591–1532
1740–1703 EBA
1699–1618
1125 – 978 MBA
Caherweelder 1 E3880 974–957 LBA
941–831
1038–1034 LBA
1028–901
Caherweelder 2 E3890 1192–1174 MBA
1164–1143
1132–1005
1294–1124 MBA
Caherweelder 3 E3889 1668–1501 EBA
1448–1370 1351–1316 MBA
Caherweelder 5 E3866 1125–976 MBA
952–947
1944–1865 1849–1773 EBA
Caherweelder 6 E3871 2195–2174 2145–2119 2096–2040 EBA
Coldwood E3887 Unknown
Moyveela 1 E3883 731–691 LBA
660–652
544–406
Moyveela 2 E3884 1010–909 LBA
894–873 LBA
846–798
Roevehagh 1 E3885 976–952 LBA
948–832
Table 4: Table of radiocarbon dates from the burnt mound sites on the N18 Gort to Oranmore
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The burnt mound site at Moyveela 2 is located on slightly raised ground on the west-
ern edge of a large turlough. This preference for wetland margins has been consistently
noted by other commentators (Gowen et al 2005 and Grogan 2007). Grogan (2007)
states that in the ‘Mooghaun area of south-east Clare the majority of fulachta fiadh occur
along the margins of turloughs, bogs and marshy areas’. The burnt mound sites at Caher-
weelder (to the south) which were excavated as part of the same programme of excavations
had a similar location on slightly raised ground on the edge of a turlough.
Clustering of burnt mound sites is also a feature of this type site which has been de-
scribed by many commentators (Grogan 2007, Waddell 2000 and Gosling 2007). This
clustering of burnt mound sites along with the large size of some examples has led Wad-
dell (2000) to believe that ‘they were an integrated part of a wider settlement pattern’.
The burnt mounds at Moyveela 2 and Moyveela 1 along with some smaller areas of burnt
mound activity noted during the phase 1 monitoring in the area reveals a small cluster of
these sites along the western edge of a turlough which appear to fit into a larger concen-
tration of sites located to the south and south west of Athenry. A similar cluster of burnt
mound sites was also revealed in Caherweelder townland to the south. The apparent con-
centration of barrow sites to the west of the burnt mound concentration appears to reflect
significant Bronze Age activity in the general area and would appear to substantiate the
theory of these sites forming part of an integrated settlement pattern.
A statistical cluster analysis has been applied to the entire set of burnt mounds recov-
ered on a study area around the N18 OG project and the results show a multiscalar high
level of clustering for this type of site. Consideration of the burnt mound distribution in
a landscape perspective, Moyveela 2 belongs to one of the larger clusters identified in the
area. The cluster is composed of 11 sites, eight RMP and three newly recorded. At a larger
scale an additional level of clustering is apparent, showing four groups of two or three
sites (Fig 7).
Cluster Site quantity Area enclosed Density Sites Minimum Maximum
per sq. km. mean distance distance distance
1 11 8.5 sq. km. 1.3 2.6 km. 50 m. 4.4 km.
1a 2 130 m.
1b 3 0.02 sq. km. 317 m. 86 m. 448 m.
1c 2 50 m.
1d 3 0.002 sq. km. 82 m. 50 m. 112 m.
Table 5: Summary of cluster analysis
The three excavated troughs both showed evidence in the form of internal stakeholes
located along the trough sides for structural features. The three stakeholes in the trough
located under the burnt mound may have formed some sort of three legged suspension
frame. While the stakeholes at the break in slope along the base of the trough located to
the south of the burnt mound seem to suggest use as supports for a trough lining.
The animal bone recovered from the site was two fragments of a cow horn core and a
portion of shed red deer antler.
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The radiocarbon dates obtained give a Later Bronze Age date for the site. Most dated
burnt mound sites have a focus of activity in the Middle to Late Bronze Age (Brindley
and Lanting 1990; and see graph of dates in Ó Néill 2003/2004).
The site of Moyveela 2 fits into the distribution pattern of Bronze Age activity as re-
flected by the recorded archaeological sites in the area to the south west of Athenry and
it provides another element in the growing corpus of excavated burnt mound sites in Co.
Galway.
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13 References
Alcock, O, de hOra, K and Gosling, P 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway,
Vol 2 North Galway. Dublin, The Stationery Office.
Bennett, I (ed.) Excavations 1970–2003 [= annual gazetteer of licensed archaeological
excavations in Ireland]. Wordwell Press for the Department of Environment,
Heritage Local Government.
Gosling, P 1993 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway, Vol 1 West Galway. Dublin,
The Stationery Office
Gosling P 2007 ‘A Distributional and Morphological Analysis of Fulachtai Fia on Clare
Island,’ In P. Gosling (ed), New Survey of Clare Island, Vol 5 Archaeology, 69–90,
Dublin
Gowen, M, O’Neill, J and Phillips, M 2005 The Lisheen Mine Archaeology project 1996
– 1998. Wordwell.
Grogan, E, O’Donnell, L, and Johnston, P 2007 The Bronze Age Landscapes of the
Pipeline to the West. Bray. Wordwell
Johnston, P, Kiely, J. and Tierney, J 2008 Near the Bend in the River: the archaeology of
the N25 Kilmacthomas realignment. NRA Scheme Monograph 3. Dublin
Joyce, P W 1867–1913 Names of Irish Places, 3 vols. London Dublin.
Kiely, J and Dunne, L 2005 ‘Recent archaeological investigations in the Tralee area.’
In M. Connolly (ed.), Past Kingdoms: recent archaeological research, survey and
excavation in County Kerry. Tralee. Heritage Council/Kerry County Council
O’Kelly, M 1954 ‘Excavations and experiments in Irish cooking places.’ Journal of the
Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Vol 84, 105–55.
Ó Néill, J 2003/2004 Lapidibus in igne calefactis coquebatur: The historical burnt
mound “tradition”, Journal of Irish Archaeology Vol. XII XIII, 77–84
O’Sullivan, J 2006 ‘Archaeological Heritage,’ In Galway County Council Environmental
Impact Statement for N18 Oranmore to Gort National Road Scheme.
Power, D, Byrne, E, Egan, U, Lane, S. and Sleeman. M 1997 Archaeological Inventory of
County Cork Volume 3:Mid Cork. The Stationery Office, Dublin.
Roycroft, N 2006 Boiled bull and burnt mounds. Seanda 1, 38–43
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33. iSSUe 8: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final archaeological excavation report
Tourunen, A 2008 ‘Fauna and fulachta fiadh: animal bones from burnt mounds on
the N9/N10 Carlow Bypass.’ In J. O’Sullivan and M. Stanley (eds.), Roads,
Rediscovery and Research. Archaeology and the National Roads Authority
Monograh Series No. 5. Wordwell
Waddell, J 2000 The prehistoric archaeology of Ireland. Wordwell
.
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Appendix 1 Context register
Please see attached CD for Context Register.
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Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups
Natural Deposits – Group 1
Topsoil - subgroup 1001
Context Number – C.1
Description
A shallow deposit, measuring 012 m in depth, of soft mid yellowish brown sandy clay
with moderate inclusions of fine and medium pebbles and with occasional occurrence of
sub-angular and sub-rounded medium stones.
Interpretation
This represented the topsoil which had formed across the site.
Subsoil – subgroup 1002
Context Number C.2
Description
Light orange brown clay with very frequent occurrence of sub-angular and sub-rounded
stone up to 1 m in diameter.
Interpretation
This was the underlying glacial till which extends across the excavation area.
Mound material – Group 2
Context Number – C.3
Description
A shallow deposit measuring 6.54 m in length, 5.98 m in width and 0.19 m in maximum
depth occupied a central position on the summit of a low rise. This deposit consisted of
greyish black clayey sand mixed with frequent medium-sized angular and sub-angular
heat-shattered limestone. A small wood and bark sample was recovered from the spread.
Interpretation
This deposit was the remains of a burnt mound. The material was the discarded by-prod-
uct of a technology which used hot stones to heat water. The burnt mound is located on
a low hill on western edge of a large turlough.
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Features identified below the mound - Group 3
A trough with an internal pit, internal and external stakeholes and two pits were identi-
fied below the burnt mound material.
Trough – subgroup 3001
Context Numbers – C.21 and C.26
Description
The larger pit (C.21) was sub-rectangular in plan and was orientated roughly east to
west. It measured 2.45 m in length, 1.45 m in width and was 0.33 m in depth. The
pit was roughly cut with a very irregular base. A single fill (C.26) consisting of greyish
black clayey silt mixed with moderate small and medium heat-shattered limestone mixed
throughout with flecks of charcoal occurred within the cut.
Interpretation
This was the typical remains of a trough used to heat a volume of water.
Internal Pit and Stakeholes – subgroup 3002
Context numbers – C.34, C.33, C.42, C.41, C.44, C.43, C.46 and C.45
Description
A small pit (C.34) was located at the base on the western extremity of the trough (C.21)
It measured 0.5 m by 0.36 m and was 0.23 m in depth. It was filled by (C.33) sandy silt,
which had originated in the surrounding sediment.
Three stakeholes were identified driven into the upper sides of the trough (C.21). Two
(C.44 and C.42) occurred on the western edge, and a single stakehole (C.46) was lo-
cated on the eastern edge. These features were sub-circular in plan and varied between
0.07 m and 0.04 m in diameter. Depths were from 0.1 m to 0.13 m. All three stakehole
fills (C.43, C.41 and C.45 respectively) were silty and had formed from the surrounding
sediment.
Interpretation
The internal pit was investigated as a potential posthole but no associated fill evidence was
found to suggest that it was and its function is currently unknown. The three stakeholes
formed a triangular shape, which might suggest use as a suspending frame in association
with burnt mound activities.
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External stakeholes - Subgroup 3003
Context Numbers – C.50, C.51, C.52 and C.53
Description
Two stakeholes (C.50 and C.52) were located c. 0.4 m west of the trough (C.21). Both
measured 0.06 m in diameter and were up to 0.08 m deep. The fills were (C.51 and C.53)
were mid greyish brown sandy silt with occasional small fragments of wood and fine
pebbles.
Interpretation
Two stakeholes probably related to the large central trough. The stakeholes may have been
used as supports or as a shield to the function of the trough.
Two pits – Subgroup 3004
Context Numbers – C.31, C.32, C.35 and C.36
Description
Two small pits were located c. 2.5 m north-east of the large central trough (C.21). The
largest of the two (C.31) was oval in plan and measured 0.78 m in length, 0.52 m in width
and 0.47 m in depth. Its fill (C.32) contained burnt sandy silt mixed with heat-shattered
stone. The smaller pit (C.35) was sub-circular in plan measuring 0.52 m by 0.43 m by
0.37 m in depth. The fill (C.36) was not as burnt as the others and contained virtually
no heat-shattered stone.
Interpretation
No finds or bone samples were recovered from the pit fills and there was no direct evi-
dence that that either pit had functioned as a posthole. The two features were probably
associated with whatever function was taking place within and around the trough during
its use.
Features located to the south of the burnt mound – Group 4
This group consists of a large trough with internal stakeholes and a pit with an associated
smaller pit, stakehole and spread.
Trough – Subgroup 4001
Context Numbers – C.14 and C.9
Description
A sub-circular pit (C.14) was located immediately north of Pit 4. This pit was very well
cut with a level base. It was sub-circular in plan measuring 2.7 m by 2.3 m by 0.56 m in
depth. A single fill (C.9) comprised of a dark greyish black sandy clay mixed with frequent
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small and medium heat-shattered limestone. One fragment of bone was recovered from
the fill but no artefacts.
Interpretation
A large trough used to heat a volume of water. The fill was similar to the mound material
which was the discarded by-product of a technology which used hot stones to heat water.
Internal stakeholes – Subgroup 4002
Context Numbers – C.19, C.29, C.22, C.27, C.24, C.37, C.20, C.30, C.23, C.28, C.25
and C.38
Description
Six vertical stakeholes were identified cut into the base of the trough (C.14). All the stake-
holes were located at the break of slope of the trough base. They formed a regular pattern
apart from the eastern side where no stakeholes were identified. The two eastern corner
stakeholes (C.19 and C.29) were the most substantial and measured 0.17 m by c. 0.13
m in diameter and were 0.31 m and 0.35 m in depth respectively. The stakeholes (C.22
and C.27) occupying the opposite corners were smaller but of similar dimensions to each
other and measured 0.1 m by 0.1 m by 0.15 in depth and 0.09 m by 0.11 m by 0.16 m
in depth respectively. The two remaining (C.24 and C.37) were less substantial at 0.09
m by 0.07 m by 0.1 m and 0.06 m by 0.08 m by 0.13 m. No traces of the original stakes
remained and all cuts were filled (C.20, C.30, C.23, C.28, C.25 and C.38) by mid grey
silty sand with moderate occurrence of sub-rounded and sub-angular pebbles.
Interpretation
There was no direct evidence of wickerwork or of a similar structure but it is suggested
that such a feature might have been supported by the in situ stakes. The four corner stake-
holes were substantial and would have been capable of either supporting a weight or the in
situ construction of a wickerwork structure. It is probable that these four stakeholes were
the main supports and the two other stakeholes acted as secondary supports.
Pit, Deposit and associated stakehole – Subgroup 4003
Context Numbers – C.15, C.12, C.39, C.40 and C.17
Description
A sub circular pit (C.15) not covered by the burnt mound was located to the south of the
trough (C.14) not covered by the burnt mound (C.3) and was 5.5 m to the south of the
central trough (C.21). The pit (C.15) measured 1.48 m by 1.36 m and was 0.55 m in deep.
It contained a single fill (C.12), which comprised of dark greyish brown clayey silt mixed
with moderate small and occasional medium heat-shattered limestone. No artefacts or
bone samples were recovered.
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A single vertical stakehole (C.39) was identified cut into the western slope of the pit. It
measured c. 0.15 m in diameter and was 0.25 m in depth. Its single fill (C.40) was a dark
brownish grey silty sand with fine and medium pebbles.
Immediately south-west of the pit was a deposit (C.17) of dark black sandy silt with
moderate occurrence of heat shattered angular and sub-angular coarse pebbles and small
stones that stratigraphically pre-dated the pit fill (C.12). This deposit extended 1.62 m by
0.9 m and was 0.16 m in depth.
Interpretation
The pit was filled with the dark burnt mound material and had an internal stakehole.
The activity originally represented by the pit is unknown however due to its location it
likely to have been associated wit the use of the nearby trough. The fill of the stakehole
had probably formed from the fill of the pit after the stake had been removed. Due to its
stratigraphy in relation to the other features, it is possible that the deposit located to the
south west of the pit represents an earlier cleaning out of the pit.
Later pit – subgroup 4004
Context Numbers – C.18 and C.16
Description
A small oval pit (C.18), measuring 0.6 m by 0.31 m by 0.22 m in depth, was cut into the
fill (C.12) of the southernmost pit (C.15). It was filled with mid orangish brown sandy silt
(C.16) with inclusions of sub-angular small stones and coarse pebbles occasional flecks of
charcoal and some animal bone.
Interpretation
The function of the pit is unknown however it is probable that this pit filled naturally, as
it contained orange brown sandy silt with few inclusions.
Plough Furrows – Group 5
Context Numbers – C.47, C.48, C.49 C.4, C.5 and C.6
Description
Three furrows (C.47, C.48, and C.49) were found orientated in an east to west direction
at the northern extremity of the excavated area. The furrows were filled with dark greyish
brown clay with moderate inclusion of angular and sub-rounded pebbles (C.4, C.5 and
C.6) These features were not fully excavated but recorded widths were between 0.88 m
and 0.58 m. Depths varied from 0.13 m to 0.08 m.
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Interpretation
It is probable that these are the remnants of ridge-and-furrow cultivation. There was no
stratigraphic relationship between the furrows and the burnt mound material however
they are likely to reflect a much later use of the area then that associated with the burnt
mound activity.
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Appendix 4 Charcoal analysis
Mary Dillon
Introduction
This report gives the results of the analysis of charcoal from samples taken during exca-
vation at Moyveela 2 (E3884) in Co. Galway. The excavation found a burnt mound site
with a burnt spread, pits and stakeholes. The samples from this site contained frequent
charcoal, land molluscs and occasional bone.
Methodology
Bulk soil samples were collected on site and were processed by the client. All charcoal
fragments that measured 2 mm or greater in the transverse section were identified. Each
fragment was prepared for microscopic examination by fracturing it by hand and thereby
exposing a clean surface along transverse, radial and tangential planes. All three planes
were examined at a range of magnifications. For reference literature the Schweingruber
(1990) was consulted. The number and weight of fragments were recorded for each wood
type.
Results
In all, 174 fragments of charcoal were analysed from eight samples. A total of seven sam-
ples contained charcoal. S.24 from C.51 (fill of a stakehole) contained no charcoal. It
contained wood, which was possibly the remains of a stake, but the wood had dried out to
such an extent that it was not identifiable. The seven samples had charcoal that was suit-
able for AMS dating. Hazel was present in all of the samples and this is recommended,
and marked as suitable, for submitting for dating as it has a lifespan of just 80 years.
In Figs. 1 and 2 percentage frequencies of the various wood types, based on fragment
count and dry weight respectively, are shown.
The most common wood types based on fragment count were hazel (38%) and oak
(26%). Pomoideae (15%), ash (11%), Prunus (5%), alder (3%) and elm (2%) were also
identified (Fig. 1, Table 1.).
When the results of percentage weight are taken into account the results change
slightly (Fig. 2, Table 2.).
Discussion
The samples came from the burnt deposit (1 sample), pits (4 samples) and stakeholes (3
samples). There are no distinct differences between the charcoal assemblages from the
different deposits, indicating that the charcoal probably originated from the same source.
The assemblages from the stakeholes were generally smaller, but this was probably due to
the size of the samples. The samples from all over of contexts consisted of several wood
types. The wide variety of woods identified suggesting that there was a broad range of
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trees growing in the area. The results from Moyveela 2 are particularly similar to the
burnt mound site at Moyveela 1.
Ash
Prunus
Alder 11%
5%
3%
Hazel
Elm 38%
2%
Pomoideae
15%
Oak
26%
Fig� 1 Percentage fragment frequency
Prunus
Ash
3%
11%
Alder
2%
Hazel
Elm
31%
2%
Pomoideae Oak
26% 25%
Fig� 2 Percentage weight
Corylus (hazel; C. avellana). The charcoal data shows that hazel was the most common
used wood. It accounts for 38% of all charcoal fragments identified. It was present in all
the samples where charcoal was recorded. Hazel was widely exploited in both prehistory
and historical times for its nutritious nuts and supple rods which were widely used for
building. Its coppice-like growth form makes it relatively easy to cut and there are nor-
mally substantial quantities of dead wood available near ground level. Pollen analytical
studies indicate that hazel was of great importance in Ireland for most of the Holocene. It
is one of the more frequent native trees growing in south Co. Galway today. Hazel is com-
monly found on burnt mound sites (O’Donnell 2007) probably because it was so readily
available.. It was the most common wood type identified in the samples from the nearby
34