Archaeological Report - Moatquarter, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3910 - Moatquarter, Co. Tipperary
Bronze Age House

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Moatquarter
Co. Tipperary

Bronze Age House

Date: July 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National Roads Authority

Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)
E No: E3910

Excavation Director: John Tierney
Written by: Jacinta Kiely and John Tierney

Moatquarter
Co. Tipperary

Excavation Director

John Tierney

Written By

Jacinta Kiely and John Tierney

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

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

Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland

Table of Contents
Summary��iii
Acknowledgements�� iv
1 Scope of the project �� 1
2 Route location�� 1
3 Receiving environment �� 3
4 Archaeological and historical background �� 4
5 Site location and Topography �� 7
6 Excavation methodology �� 7
7 Excavation results �� 10
8 Discussion ��22
9 References �� 24
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index �� 26
Appendix 2 Stratigraphic Matrix �� 27
Appendix 3 Groups and Subgroups ��29
Appendix 4 Plant remains �� 41
Appendix 5 Lithic Artefacts Report �� 47
�

i

List of Figures
Figure 1: Portion of map of Ireland showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh
(Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1)� �� 2
Figure 2: Discovery series Ordnance survey map showing the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1) and the location
of all excavation sites� �� 5
Figure 3: Portion of the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of
Moatquarter� �� 8
Figure 4: Location and extent of Moatquarter E3910 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh� �� 11
Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Moatquarter E3910� �� 12
Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of the Bronze Age house at Moatquarter� �� 14
Figure 7: Interpretative plan of the Bronze Age house� �� 17
Figure 8: Section of slot trench C�43, post-holes C�24, C�29 and C�17 and pit C�20� �� 18

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial view of Moatquarter� �� 9
Plate 2: View of moat (RMP TI016-003) from Moatquarter site� ��10
Plate 3: View of Bronze Age structure from north-west� �� 13
Plate 4: View of Bronze Age structure with locational detail of wall line, entrance and
hearth from east� �� 15
Plate 5: Quartzite rubbing stone E3910:1:2� ��20
Plate 6: Quartzite rubbing stone E3910:1:3��20
Plate 7: View of chert flake E3910:1:4� ��21

List of Tables
Table 1 Dimensions of outer wall of Bronze Age structure �� 13
Table 2 Dimensions of inner wall of Bronze Age structure �� 15
Table 3 Dimensions of pits in interior �� 16
Table 4 Possible internal divisions or screens within the structure �� 19
Table 5 Dimensions of pits �� 19
Table 6 Radiocarbon dates �� 21
Table 7 Radiocarbon dates for Bronze Age structures on the route of the N7� ��23

ii

Moatquarter-e3910 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3910-moatquarter-co-tipperary/

Summary
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.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Moatquarter
E no. E3910
Site director John Tierney
Townland Moatquarter
Parish Rathnaveoge
County Tipperary
Barony Ikerrin
OS Map Sheet No. TN16
National Grid Reference 206009 / 182426
Elevation 172 m O.D.

iii

iSSue 11: eachtra Journal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaeological excavation report

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

iv


1 Scope of the project
Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the
National Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact
1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road
scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction
of the present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-
Castletown scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is ap-
proximately 191 hectares. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs
from Clashnevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county
border regions. The Ministers Direction Number is A38.
It was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-
2006. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority
through Laois County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our
cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct ar-
chaeological site investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to
assess the nature and extent of any new potential archaeological sites uncovered.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in 2007
under licence E3371, E3372 and E3375-8 issued by Department of the Environment Heri-
tage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in consultation with the National Museum of
Ireland. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously un-
known sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test sites of archaeo-
logical potential identified in the EIS.
Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites
identified within the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction
of the road. This phase of the project was carried out from June 2007 to February 2008
and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeologist. A total
of 27 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences issued by
DoEHLG.
A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the
project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work aris-
ing from archaeological works along the route of the new N7 Castletown to Nenagh. It
included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works.

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

1

182550 198900 215250

2
193300
193300

!
(
Nenagh
iSSue 11: eachtra Journal - iSSn 2009-2237

Derg (Lough)

182950
182950

172600
172600

0 5 10

182550 198900
Kilometres
215250
±
Figure 1: Portion of map of Ireland showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1)�
archaeological excavation report


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

3 Receiving environment
North Tipperary is bounded on the west by the River Shannon and Lough Derg with
the Silvermines, to the south, and small hills extending towards Devilsbit and Borrisnoe
Mountains to the east. The mountains are composed largely of Silurian strata and Old
Red Sandstone. Copper, silver and lead deposits have been mined in the Silvermines. The
geology of the lowlands consists of Carboniferous limestone covered by glacial drift in
addition to tracts of raised bog.
The western portion of the study area is drained by the Ollatrim River which flows
westwards into the River Ballintotty which in turns drains into the River Nenagh. The
eastern portion is drained by the Keeloge Stream and other small water sources. These rise
in the foothills of the Silvermine Mountains and flow north. The Keeloge drains into the
Little Brosna River c. 1 km south of Shinrone, Co Offaly. The Brosna turns north and
drains into the Shannon south of Banagher.
The largest population centre in the area is Nenagh. The smaller population centres,
are Toomyvara, Moneygall and Dunkerrin.
The soils on the route are characterised by 80% grey brown podzolics, 10% gleys, 5%
brown earths and 5% basin peat. They are derived from glacial till of predominantly Car-
boniferous limestone composition. These soils occur in Tipperary and Offaly and have a
wide use range being suitable for both tillage and pasture (Gardiner and Radford 1980,
97-99). Land use along the route was a mix of grassland devoted to intensive dairying and
cattle-rearing and tillage.

3


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

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

Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-
nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more
sedentary in nature. The most important Neolithic site in the vicinity was at Tullahedy
recorded on the route of the Nenagh by-pass. It was a specialist chert arrow manufactur-
ing site.
No evidence for a Neolithic site was recorded on the route but stone tools dating to
the Neolithic were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660, Cullenwaine E3741
and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools dating to the late Neolithic/Early
Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Castleroan E3909, Cullenwaine E3741,
Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1 E3638 and Moatquarter E3910. Neo-
lithic pottery was recorded at Cullenwaine E3741 and Drumbaun E3912.

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

4

190400 196200 202000 207800

186400
186400
Moatquarter-e3910

Castleroan 1
E 3909

Moatquarter 1 Busherstown 1
E 3661
Loughan 1
E 4000
Greenhills 3
E 3658

Moneygall 2
Culleenwaine 1
E 3635
E 3741 Moatquarter 1
Clynoe 2 E 3910
E 3774

181800
181800

Park 1 Drumroe 1
Garravally Kilgorteen 1 E 3659 E 3773
E 3589 E 3739
Drumbaun 2
Derrybane 2 E 3912
E 3591 Greenhills 1 Greenhills 2
E 3638 E 3637
Clashnevin 2
E 3590 Clash 1 Park 2
E 3660 E 3772

Derrycarney 1
E 3740

Clashnevin 1 Derrybane 1 Killeisk 1
E 3586 E 3585 E 3587

177200
177200

0 3 6

Kilometres ±
190400 196200 202000 207800

Figure 2: Discovery series Ordnance survey map showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1) and the location of

5
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3910-moatquarter-co-tipperary/

all excavation sites�


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

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Upto recently there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in Munster.
Settlement sites are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman,
2000) while the material culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, believed
to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monuments
of the period. Ten percent of sites excavated on NRA road schemes in recent years have
produced Iron Age dates. The dates have led to the identification of 30 new Iron Age sites
in Munster from road schemes in counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (McLaughlin
2008, 51). These include a ditched enclosure in Ballywilliam and a wooden trackway in
Annaholty Bog excavated on the route of the N7 Nenagh-Limerick (Taylor 2008, 54).
Three Iron Age dates were returned from pits in Castleroan E3909 and Drumroe
E3773 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1).

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)
The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The
characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-
merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000
and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s
(Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has
a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries
AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-
lar society (Stout 1997).
North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious
centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen
by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at
the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH
2006, 4-8).
Early medieval activity was recorded at five sites on the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Contract 1). A series of corn-drying kilns were recorded at Busherstown E3661.
A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774. An area of iron-
working and associated pits was recorded at Drumbaun E3912. Iron working activity,
corn-drying kilns and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659. A group of pits
and associated ditch were recorded at Drumroe E3773.

6


High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)
This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tow-
er houses. The Anglo-Normans obtained charters in the thirteenth century for the towns
of Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Templemore and established markets. Nenagh grew
rapidly in the aftermath of the granting of the lands of Munster to Theobald fitzWalter in
1185 (ibid. 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-defended homesteads
in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth cen-
turies in counties, such as Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, mid-Cork and Limerick, that
were colonised by English settlers (O’Conor 1998, 58). The Archaeological Inventory for
North Tipperary lists 39 moated sites (2002, 298).
A medieval enclosure and associated field systems were recorded at Killeisk E3587. A
newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661. A series of ditches and
settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659.

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

5 Site location and Topography
The site at Moatquarter was located c. 400 m to the north and upslope of the Keeloge
Stream and 200 m to the northeast of the motte. The townland name most likely refers to
the location of a conspicuous medieval motte (RMP TI016-003) located to the south-west
of the site (Plate 1). The Keeloge Stream forms part of the townland boundary between
Moatquarter and Drumroe and the county bounds of Tipperary and Offaly.

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

7

204713 205713

8
Castleroan
LOUGHAN

ea m
Loughan

S tr

182716
182716

e
lo g
K ee
CASTLEROAN

Moatquarter

BUSHERSTOWN

182066
182066

MOATQUARTER

Busherstown

Drumbaun 2
DRUMROE

0 300 600

DRUMBAUN Drumroe
¥ Meters
204713 205713

Figure 3: Portion of the 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of Moatquarter�


Plate 1: Aerial view of Moatquarter�
Moatquarter 1 (E3910)
0 30 60
Meters ±
9


Plate 2: View of moat (RMP TI016-003) from Moatquarter site�

The site was excavated from 28 January 2008 to the 8 February 2008. Only areas
within the LMA (lands made available) were resolved. Two separate cuttings, Area 1 and
Area 2, were excavated. Area 1 was located 62 m south of Area 2. The full extent of Area
1 measured 4600 m sq and Area 2 measured 3700 m sq (Figure 4, Plate 2).
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register and the strati-
graphic matrix (Appendix 1). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups
and sub-groups text (Appendix 2). The context register maybe viewed in the EAPOD
(Eachtra Archaeological Projects office database) in the accompanying CD.

7 Excavation results
A Bronze Age structure and two groups of pits were excavated within the area of excava-
tion. (Figure 5, plate 3). The structure was located near the southern extent of the area of
excavation. Four pits (C.3, C.5, C.8 and C.185) were located c. 45 m north of the structure
and four pits (C.502, C.503, C.506 and C.508) were located c. 150 m north of the struc-
ture. A field boundary C.11 was located to the south-east of the Bronze Age structure.

Bronze Age House
A house was identified in the southern section of the site. It was defined by a double ring
of post-holes (Figure 6). The inner ring was concentric with the outer ring but the outer
ring was not complete. It enclosed the rear and over 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 en-
trance to the house faced south-southeast.
Four post-holes C.44, C.54, C.81and C.180 constituted the outer northern line of the
structure. The interval between the post-holes was irregular, they were spaced over 3 m
apart. Three of the post-holes C.44, C.53 and C.180 were similar in size and composition.

10

205719 206089 206459

15
70
0

LOUGHAN
15
60
0
Moatquarter-e3910

CASTLEROAN

182753
182753

M O AT Q U A R T E R 15
50
0

154
00

182523
182523

153
00

152
00

LISDUFF
151
00

Ke

182293
182293

elo
g eS
t

re
am
Moatquarter 1 (E3910)
150
00
0 100 200
Metres ±
205719 206089 206459

Figure 4: Location and extent of Moatquarter E3910 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�

11

±

12
503 ±
508 506

Pits

Area 2
Area 2

502

0 25 m
O
)
172 m O.D.

5 3

185
±
Pits
Area 1 North
8

Area 1

Field boundary
11

0 25 m 0 100 m

Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Moatquarter E3910�

59


Plate 3: View of Bronze Age structure from north-west�

The fourth posthole C.81 was the remains of a driven post, it was smaller that the other
three.

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)
44 0.82 x 0.64 x 0.28
54 0.87 x 0.62 x 0.08
81 0.16 x 0.4 x 0.12
180 0.77 x 0.57 x 0.16
Table 1 Dimensions of outer wall of Bronze Age structure

Ten postholes (C.17, C.19, C.24, C.26, C.29, C.36, C.41, C.56, C. 65, C.187) and two
slot trenches (C.43 and C.46) constituted the inner circuit of the house. The entrance was
probably to the south-east between post-holes C.187 and C.29. It measured 1.8 in width.
Both of the entrance post-holes were flanked by a second post (C.24 and C.36). Middle
Bronze Age dates of cal BC 1429-1315 (UB-15096) and cal BC 1432-1316 (UB-15095)
were returned from the post-hole C.24 and C.17 respectively.
A single post-hole C.15 was located within the interior between posts C.19 and C.59.
It may have formed part of a wall alignment with four stake-holes (C.86, C.93, C.100 and
C.139).

13

206021 206026

14
180
±
Area 1 South 56 95
26

59

20
43 139 Structure
132 105
126

182427
182427

100
54
39
128 19

156 15
48 44
182 113
142 Hearth
154
165
146 161 152
175 87
41 117
134 159 46
115 93
144 107
140
64
136 103 102
65 77 176 170
119 172 90
111 60 148 86
162 17 92
69 150
124

182424
182424

71 122

110
97 36
81
83
62
57

166 187
130 178
168
29
0 2.5 m 24
206021 206026

Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of the Bronze Age house at Moatquarter�


Plate 4: View of Bronze Age structure with locational detail of wall line, entrance and hearth from east�

Context Number Dimensions (m) (I x w x d)
17 0.58 x 0.36 x 0.33
19 0.57 x 0.53 x 0.34
24 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.25
26 0.5 x 0.47 x 0.35
29 0.46 x 0.32 x 0.31
59 0.57 x 0.5 x 0.2
36 0.73 x 0.34 x 0.23
41 0.8 x 0.75 x 0.25
43 1.2 x 0.7 x 0.31
46 2.7 x 0.57 x 0.07
48 (within slot C.46) 0.37 x 0.24 x 0.25
50 (within slot C.46) 0.17 x 0.16 x 0.28
52 (within slot C.46) 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.12
56 0.65 x 0.6 x 0.21
65 0.25 x 0.25 x 0.05
187 0.48 x 0.39 x 0.25
Table 2 Dimensions of inner wall of Bronze Age structure

Internal features
Three pits C.20, C.39 and C.176 were located in the interior of the structure. Two large
pits (C.20 and C.39) were located adjacent to one another at the rear. The third C.176 was
located between the hearth and the entrance. The hearth was located almost centrally be-
tween the three pits. Pits 20 and 39 may be bed settings, located in the northwest corner
of the structure, opposite the south facing entrance.

15


20 1.51 x 0.8 x 0.41
39 1.3 x 0.8 x 0.39
176 1.1 x 0.5 x 0.18
Table 3 Dimensions of pits in interior

A Middle Bronze Age date of cal BC 1495-1321 (UB-15094) was returned from pit
C.20.
A total of 54 stake-holes were recorded within the interior of the structure (Figure
7, plate 4). In general all of them had a similar fill, a soft gray brown sandy silt with oc-
casional flecks of charcoal. They varied in sizes from 0.03-0.13 m in length to 0.03-0.12
m in width and 0.03-0.26 m in depth. The largest stake-holes measured over 0.09 m in
diameter. They formed two distinctive patterns: 13 (C.57, C.64, C.69, C.71, C.86, C.93,
C.97, C.100, C.105, C.107, C.126, C.132, C.139, C.142, C.154 and C.178) were located
inside and parallel and on the line of the inner wall of the structure and three (C.107,
C.142 and C.154) formed the possible base of tripod around the hearth C.186.
The base of a hearth C.186 was recorded towards the rear of the structure. The
scorched area of subsoil measured 0.44m by 0.35m. The base of the hearth was truncated
by three small stake-holes (C.161, C. 165 and C. 175). Two stake-holes (C.117 and C.159)
were located on the edge of the hearth and three other stake-holes (C.107, C.142 and
C.154) may have formed a tripod around the hearth. The side of the tripod measured c.
0.9 m. Three more stake-holes (C.146, C.156 and C.182) could have been associated with
hearth-side furniture.
A total of 24 of the stake-holes could have been associated with the inner wall of the
structure. Two (C.178 and C.57) were located on the south-eastern side of the entrance
on either side of post C.187. Eleven (C.168, C.166, C.130, C.62, C.97, C.83, C.71, C.69,
C.111, C.119, C.64) were located on the south-western circuit between post-holes C.24
and C.41. Three (C.105, C.126 and C.132) were located on the southern side of pit C.20.
Four (C.139, C.100, C.93 and C.86) were located on the north-eastern circuit on either
side of post-hole C.15. One stake-hole C.95 was located to the north of post-holes C.26
and C.59. Three stake-holes (C.92, C.90 and C.102) were located to the west of post-hole
C.17.
A total of 20 other stake-holes were recorded in the interior in the vicinity, and for the
most part to the east, of the hearth C.86 and the pit C.176. They may have formed an
internal division or screens associated with the hearth and/or the pit C.176. They could
have formed at least four different screens. Three of the screens were parallel to one an-
other on the eastern side of the hearth and pit and the fourth could have been located on
the western side.
An alternative to the screen hypothesis is that screens 1 and 2 are functionally related
to one another and the hearth. The stakeholes in these groups are clearly paired and may
represent the remains of a domestic food processing activity, originating in the hearth and
perhaps processing different grades of material in stake-supported troughs or pots eg. fat,

16

206021 206026

±
Area 1 South
Moatquarter-e3910

Structure

182427
182427

Hearth

182424
182424

0 2.5 m
206021 206026

Figure 7: Interpretative plan of the Bronze Age house�

17

N7CN N7CN N7CN

18
Moatquater 1 Area 1 Moatquater 1 Area 1 Moatquater 1 Area 1
Southeast facing section of C.43 Southwest facing section of C.24 East facing section of C.29

# C.30 # # #

C.42 # #
C.1 # # # #
C.23
# # C.34
# #
# # #
C.125

C.29
C.24
C.43

N7CN N7CN
Moatquater 1 Area 1 Moatquater 1 Area 1
Southeast facing section of C.20 ????? facing section of C.17

#
# # # #
C.16
C.21

C.17

C.27

C.20
0 500 mm

Figure 8: Section of slot trench C�43, post-holes C�24, C�29 and C�17 and pit C�20�


blood and offal products. The curving stakehole arrangement mirrors the roundhouse
walls.

Screen Associated stake-holes Length
1 C.128, C.113, C.87 and C.103 2.7
2 C.152, C.115, C.136, C.162, C.124, C.122 and C.110 2.9
3 C.140, C.170, C.172, C.148 and C.150 1.2
4 C.134, C.144, C.77 and C.60 1.6
Table 4 Possible internal divisions or screens within the structure

Pits
Eight pits were located to the north of the structure. Four pits (C.3, C.5, C.8 and C.185)
were located c. 45 m north of the structure. They were located between 8-13 m apart. Four
other pits (C.502, C.503, C.506 and C.508) were located c. 150 m north of the structure.
The pits were c. 30 m apart.

3 1.05 x 0.93 x 0.3
5 1.57 x 1.57 x 0.22
8 1.84 x 1.7 x 0.28
185 1.1 x 0.75 x 0.15
502 1.19 x 0.76 x 0.13
503 2.1 x 0.7 x 0.05
506 0.45 x 0.35 x 0.11
508 0.38 x 0.25 x 0.2
Table 5 Dimensions of pits

No radiocarbon dates were obtained from any of the pits. No artefacts were retrieved
from the pits. It is difficult to know if the pits were contemporary with the Bronze Age
structure.

Plant remains
The plant remains were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 4). A total of 30 samples
were scanned and plant remains were present in just seven of the samples. Hazelnut shell
fragments were found in four of the samples C.17, C.26, C.43, C.52, barley was recovered
from C.20 and C.29 and wheat from C.26/C.59 associated with the house.
These included the samples from the post-hole C.17 (C.16, S.7), from the slot trench
C.20 (C.21 S.9), from the pits C.26/59 (C.25 S.11) and C.29 (C.30 S.14), from the post-
hole C.52 (C.53 S.20) and the slot trench C.43 (C.125 S.58). These are probably representa-
tive of the occupation layer which probably covered the floor during its use.

19


Plate 5: Quartzite rubbing stone E3910:1:2�

Plate 6: Quartzite rubbing stone E3910:1:3�

20


Plate 7: View of chert flake E3910:1:4�

Lithic artefacts
The lithic artefacts were examined by Farina Sternke (Appendix 5). A chert flake
(E3910:1:4) and two quartzite rubbing stones (E3910:1:2-3) were recovered from the top-
soil. The assemblage has to be regarded as technologically and typologically diagnostic
and dates to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age period. The rubbing stone E3910:1:3
was most likely used as a mano in connection with a saddle quern.

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

Radiocarbon dates
Radiocarbon analysis was carried out by the 14 Chrono Centre in Queen’s University
Belfast. Dates were calibrated using Calib Rev5.0.2 (©1986-2005 M.Stuiver P.J. Re-
imer) and in conjunction with Stuiver Reimer 1993 and Reimer et al. 2004.

Lab code Context Material Un-calibrated δ 13 C 2 sigma calibration Period
date
UB- C.21 Willow charcoal 3142 +/- 30 -27.8 cal BC 1495-1378 Middle
15094 from pit C.20 1337-1321 Bronze Age
UB- C.16 Pomoideae charcoal 3109 +/- 18 -30.2 cal BC 1432-1371 Middle
15095 from pit C.17 1345-1316 Bronze Age
UB- C.23 Hazel charcoal 3103 +/- 19 -28.4 cal BC 1429-1369 Middle
15096 from posthole C.24 1357-1315 Bronze Age

Table 6 Radiocarbon dates

21


8 Discussion
Evidence of at least two phases of activity was recorded at Moatquarter.
The main phase of activity at the site dated to the Middle Bronze Age. The remains
of a complete structure was located in the southern section of the site. It was defined by
a double ring of post-holes but the outer ring was incomplete. 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. Two probably bed settings were identified opposite the entrance
and a curving, food processing work area has been hypothesized based on the relationship
between a hearth and tripod and a series of paired stakeholes which run away from the
hearth, curving on the same alignment as the structural support timbers. Curving work
spaces not being surprising in a circular house.
There are three main hypotheses for the construction of the house. Firstly, an internal
ring of posts supported the roof and immediately outside this a wattle wall was built (the
remains of the wattle wall is evident on both sides of the doorway but cannot be traced for
the northern half of the structure). Directly outside the wattle wall further roof support
was offered by external support posts. The relationship between the external and internal
posts may give clues as to the location of the wall top cross beams.
The second hypothesis is that a clay wall was built outside and against the wattle
screen and that this wall ran along the line of the larger, outer postholes.
The third hypothesis is that a narrow 0.50 m wide clay wall was built along the line
defined by the wattle screens (the screens being a spinal element to the wall) ie. between
the inner and outer post-holes,
A recent survey of Bronze Age houses in southern Ireland lists a total of 41 Bronze
Age sites where 81 individual structures have been recorded (Doody 2007, 86–7). Howev-
er, surveys are quickly out of date at the moment, since development-led archaeology has
resulted in an explosion of Bronze Age archaeology (Bruck 2009a, xvi). The excavation
of ten Bronze Age houses on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh will further in-
crease this number. Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for eight of the ten structures
on the N7 from the townlands of Clash, Castleroan, Derrybane, Drumbaun, Drumroe
and Moatquarter,

Site Name Structure Calibrated BC 2-sigma dates Period
Clash Structure 1 1111-920 and 895-800 MBA-LBA
Castleroan Structure A 1249-1016 MBA
Castleroan Structure B 1011-914 LBA
Derrybane Structure 1 741-406 and 833-797 LBA
Derrybane Structure 2 794-550 LBA
Derrybane Structure 3 1929-1773 EBA
Drumbaun Structure A 1436-1316 MBA
Drumbaun Structure B 1520-1442 MBA
Drumroe Structure 1 895-815 LBA
Moatquarter Structure 1 1495-1321, 1432-1316 and 1429-1315 MBA
Table 7 Radiocarbon dates for Bronze Age structures on the route of the N7�

22


There is a diversity in house size, internal pattern and construction materials. In Brit-
ain there appears to be a number of regionally distinct house styles (Doody 2007, 97)
but there is no established evidence for regional variation amongst Irish examples as yet.
However, the discovery of axial symmetry in several houses excavated in Tipperary and
North Cork has been noted (Tierney and Johnston 2009, 105). A similar phenomenon
has also been identified in Britain (Guilbert 1982, 68– 9; Brück 1999).
Three of the round post-built structures, one in Derrybane and two in Drumbaun,
excavated on the N7 were constructed along the principle of axial symmetry. This means
that the house was arranged on an axis between the entrance and a post-hole directly
opposite it, two post-holes flank the entrance and the remaining post-holes have a corre-
sponding partner at either side of the axis. The distance between the post-holes on either
side of the axis is roughly the same (Tierney and Johnston ibid). Three other incomplete
structures, may have originally been constructed along the same principles.
The plant remains recovered at Moatquarter are comparable to other domestic sites,
for example Chancellorsland, Curraghatoor and Ballyvellish, in Co. Tipperary. At all of
these sites barley was the most common Bronze Age crop type and at many retrieval was
sporadic and poor.

23


9 References
Bruck, J. (2009a) Overview of findings, pp. xvi – xviii in McQuade, M., Molloy, B. and
Moriarty, C. In the Shadow of the Galtees. Archaeological excavations along the route
of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Road Scheme. Dublin, National Roads Authority.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell,
P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks,
R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac,
F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R.,
Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E.
(2004) ‘IntCal04 Terrestrial Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 0–26 Cal Kyr BP’,
Radiocarbon 46, 1029-1058.

Stuiver, M., and Reimer, P.J. (1993) ‘Extended (super 14) C data base and revised
CALIB 3.0 (super 14) C age calibration program’, Radiocarbon 35, 215-230.

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

24


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

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

25


Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index

Please see attached CD.

26


Appendix 2 Stratigraphic Matrix

27


28


Appendix 3 Groups and Subgroups
Group Description Subgroup No. Description Context No.
No.
1 Natural Topsoil C.1
Deposits Subsoil C.2
2 Ditch 2 Ditch C.11, C.10
3 Pits and 3a 4 pits C.3, C.5, C.8, C.185
spread
3b 1 charcoal C.12
spread
4 Roundhouse 4a Outer line of 4 postholes C.44, C.54, C. 81 and C.180
postholes
4b Inner circuit of 15 postholes, 2 C.15, C.17, C.19, C.24, C.26, C.29, C.36,
structure slot trenches C.41, C.44, C.48, C.50, C.52, C.56, C. 65,
C.187, C.43 and C.46
4c Internal features 3 pits C.20, C.39, C.176
4d Hearth 1 Hearth C.186
5 Stakeholes 5a Stakeholes associ- 24 stakeholes C.57, C.64, C.69, C.71, C.86, C.93,
ated with the inner C.97, C.100, C.105, C.126, C.132,
line of house C.139, C.178, C.90, C.92, C.95, C.102,
C.166, C.168, C.130, C.62, C.83, C.111
and C.119
5b Stakeholes associ- 11 stakeholes C.107, C.142, C.154, C.117, C.146,
ated with the hearth C.156, C.159, C.161, C.165, C.175 and
C.182
5c Stakeholes associ- 20 stakeholes C.60, C.77, C.87, C.103, C.110, C.113,
ated with the interior C.115, C.122, C.124, C.128, C.134,
of the house C.136, C.140, C.144, C.148, C.150,
C.152, C.162, C.170 and C.172
6 Pits 4 Pits in the Area 2 4 pits C.502, C.503, C.506 and C.508

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

Topsoil C.1
The topsoil was covering the archaeological features on the site. It was dark grey brown
silt.

Subsoil C.2
The subsoil was yellow silty clay with frequent stone inclusions. This is the natural subsoil
which occurs under the features and is found across the site.

Group 2 Ditch
Ditch C.11 filled with C. 10
A modern ditch located north-east of the house was aligned north-east to south-west.
The ditch measured c.22.6m in length (within the area of excavation), 1.6 -2.0m in width
and maximum 1.1m in depth. The break of slope at the top was gradual. The sides were
concave and moderate. The break of slope at the base was gradual. The base was flat in

29


profile. The fill was mid red brown soft clayey silt with moderate inclusion of fine pebbles
and small stones. An iron peg was recovered from the fill.

Group 3 Pits and spread
Four isolated pits and a charcoal spread in the northern part of Area 1

Context Dimensions (m) (I x w x d) Type
3 1.05x0.93x0.3 Pit
5 1.57x1.57x0.22 Pit
8 1.87x1.7x0.28 Pit
185 1.1x0.75x0.15 Pit
12 0.5x0.45x0.04 Spread
Table of dimensions

Subgroup 3a Pits
Pits C. 3, C.5, C.8, C.185
Pit C.3 filled with C.4, C.7
The pit was oval in plan with rounded corners. The break of slope at the top was sharp.
The sides were steep and smooth. The base was oval in plan and concave in profile. The
break of slop at the base was sharp. The pit contained two fills. The upper fill C.4 was
brown grey firm silt clay, with occasional pebbles, small stones and charcoal flacks. The
basal fill C.7 was grey black soft silt clay with occasional pebbles and moderate amount
of charcoal flecks.

Pit C.5 filled with C.6
The pit was sub-circular in plan with rounded corners. It had gradual break of slope top
and base. The sides were gentle and irregular at east, gentle and smooth elsewhere. The
base was sub-circular in plan and flat in profile. The fill was dark brown black firm silty
clay, with frequent medium stones and charcoal flecks.

The pit was circular in plan with rounded corners. The break of slope top and base was
sharp at east, gradual elsewhere. The sides were steep and concave at east, moderate and
convex elsewhere. The base was circular in plan and concave in profile. The fill was mid
brown loose silty sand with moderate fine pebbles and occasional small pieces of charcoal.

The pit was oval in plan. The break of slope at the top was gradual. The sides were gentle
and concave. The break of slope at the base was imperceptible. The base was oval in plan
and concave in profile. The fill was mid yellow soft sandy silt with fine pebbles, medium
stones and occasional large stones. The fill contained frequent flecks and small pieces of
charcoal.

30


Interpretation
Four isolated pits at the northern end of the site, c. 30 m to the north of the house. No
artefacts were recovered from the pits, their date or function is unknown. It is not certain
if these pits are contemporary with the house.

Subgroup 3b Spread
Spread C.12
A small charcoal reach spread situated c. 10 m to the east from pit C.3. It was black soft
clayey silt with frequent flecks and small pieces of charcoal.

Group 4 House
This group describes the features related to the construction of a house and the associated
features within the structure.

Subgroup 4a Outer line of postholes
Four postholes C.44, C.54, C.81and C.180 constituted the outer line of structure.

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Type
44 0.82x0.64x0.28 Posthole
54 0.87x0.62x0.08 Posthole
81 0.16x0.4x0.12 Posthole
180 0.77x0.57x0.16 Posthole
Table of dimensions

Posthole C.44 filled with C.45.
The posthole was oval in plan. The break of slope at the top and at the base was gradual.
The sides were moderate and concave. The base was oval in plan and concave in profile.
The fill was mid brown loose silty sand with pebbles and occasional small pieces of char-
coal. The posthole was located within the eastern end of slot trench C.46.

Posthole C.180 filled with C.181
The posthole was oval in plan. It had gradual break of slope at the top and at the base.
The sides were steep and concave at east, moderate and concave elsewhere. The base was
oval in plan and concave in profile. The fill was mid yellow brown soft sandy silt with
occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal.

Posthole C.54 filled with C.55
The posthole was oval in plan with rounded corners. The break of slope top was sharp.
The sides were gentle and concave. The break of slope base was imperceptible. The base
was oval in plan and concave in profile. The fill was light brown grey very soft sandy silt
with occasional pebbles and flecks of charcoal.

31

Archaeological Report - Moatquarter, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Moatquarter, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

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