Archaeological Report - Park 1, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3659 - Park 1, Co. Tipperary
Prehistoric activity and Medieval settlement site

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Park 1
Co. Tipperary

Prehistoric activity and Medieval settlement site

Date: July 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National
Roads Authority
Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)
E No: E3659

Excavation Director: Gerry Mullins
Written by: Gerry Mullins

Park 1
Co. Tipperary

Excavation Director

Gerry Mullins

Written By

Gerry Mullins

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�� v
Acknowledgements�� vi
Scope of the project �� 1
Route location�� 1
Receiving environment�� 3
Archaeological and historical background �� 4
Mesolithic(c�8000to4000BC)�� 4
Neolithic(c�4000to2000BC)�� 4
�
BronzeAge(c�2000to600BC)�� 4
IronAge(c�500BCtoAD500)�� 6
Earlymedievalperiod(c�AD400to1100)�� 6
Highandlatermedievalperiods(c�AD1100to1650)�� 7
Post-medievalperiod(c�1650tothepresent)�� 7
Site Location and Topography �� 7
Excavation methodology �� 7
Excavation results �� 10
EarlyBronzeAgeartefacts��10
MiddleBronzeAgefeatures��12
LateBronzeAgefeatures��12
Earlymedievalactivity��13
Latermedievalfeatures��22
Post-medieval/earlymodern��30
Modern��39
�
Undatedfeaturesandstructures�� 40
�
Specialistanalysis��41
Discussion�� 47
References ��50
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index �� 53
Appendix 2 Site Matrix ��54
Appendix 3: Groups and Subgroups �� 65
Group1:NaturalDeposits��65
Group2:CultivationFurrows��65
Group3:ModernFieldBoundaryDitches��70
Group4:Earlymodernfieldboundaryditches��71

i

Group5:MedievalDitches��75
�
Group6:TwoPotentialDryingKilns�� 80
Group7:ThreeDryingKilns��81
Group8:Postholesandpotentialstructures��85
�
Group9:Stakeholes��92
Group10:Pits�� 94
�
Group11:Hearths�� 105
Group12:ModernAgriculturalFeatures�� 107
Group13:LinearFeature�� 107
Group14:CremationPit��108
Group15:TreeBowl/RootandAnimalBurrows��108
Group16:NaturalHollows,NonArchaeologicalandVoidNumbers��110
Appendix 4: Stone Tools ��111
Appendix 5: Lithics report �� 117
Appendix 6: Pottery report ��122
Appendix 7: Animal bones��125
Appendix 8: Archaeometallurgy Report ��126
Appendix 9: Plant remains ��136
Appendix 10: Osteoarchaeological Report��148
Appendix 11: Geophysical Report ��155

ii

List of Figures
Figure 1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey
Discovery Series map� �� 2
Figure 2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey
Discovery Series map with all the excavation sites marked� �� 5
Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map TN21 showing the location of Park 1� � 8
Figure 4: Location and extent of Park 1 E3659 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh� �� 11
Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Park 1� �� 16
Figure 6: West facing section of pit C�341 showing fills C�478, C�371, C�575, C�370, C�369,
C�560, later cut C�2184, fills C�366, C�352, C�419 and C�330� C�467 is not visible in
this section� �� 19
Figure 7: East-facing section of kiln C�291 showing hearths C�448, C�368 and C�380 and kiln
fills ��20
Figure 8: Medieval enclosing ditch C�297� ��26
Figure 9: Medieval ditch C�157 is truncated by ditch C�151, southeast facing section��29
Figure 10: Southeast facing section of early modern ditch C�534 showing C�544 from which
a cereal sample was recovered� ��33
Figure 11: Northwest facing section of kiln C�514 showing fills C�515, C�538, C�537, C�536,
C�559 and C�570� ��35
Figure 12: Post-excavation plan of Kiln cut C�2180 and associated fills C�2198, C�2183, C�2205,
C�2204, C� 2207, C�2206, C�2200, C�2181 and C�2199� ��36
Figure 13: Stone lining C�2198 on northern and southern side of kiln C�2180 ��37
Figure 14: Medieval ditch C�2112 was truncated by modern feature C�2114��38
Figure 15: Post-excavation plan of modern ditches and agricultural furrows of Park 1� ��42
Figure 16: Interpretative geophysical plan of Park 1 overlain on the Ordnance Survey
Discovery Series map� ��44

iii

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial view of Park 1 looking east� �� 9
Plate 2: View of Park 1 mid-excavation looking east� ��10
Plate 3: Pre excavation view of cremation pit C�272� �� 13
Plate 4: Mid-excavation of kiln C�291 at Park 1 (Photo: John Sunderland)�� 14
Plate 5: South facing section of kiln C�291 showing hearth C�380 truncating C�294�� 15
Plate 6: Aerial view of enclosing ditch C�297 looking south� �� 15
Plate 7: View of Medieval ditch C�1007 looking south� ��21
Plate 8: Pre excavation view of pit C�39� ��28
Plate 9: Burnt soil C�2146 truncated by early modern ditch C�2114� ��28
Plate 10: View of ditches C�157, C�43 and C�47 in the centre and ditch C�1007 in foreground
at Park 1 from east� ��30
Plate 11: View of Early Modern Ditch C�43 and pit C�1039 looking southeast� �� 31
Plate 12: Kiln C�514 looking southeast showing primary fill C�538� �� 31
Plate 13: View of kiln C�2180 looking east showing C�2198� ��33
Plate 14: View of the eastern chamber kiln C�2180 looking northeast� ��34
Plate 15: C�2146 truncated by early modern ditch C�2114� ��34
Plate 16: Mid-excavation of post-hole C�241� �� 41
Plate 17: Collection of stone artefacts from Park 1 (Photo: John Sunderland)� ��45

List of Tables
Table 1: Radiocarbon dates�� 41
Table 2: Radiocarbon dates for Bronze Age structures on the route of the N7 (C1)� ��46

iv

Park 1-E3659 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3659-park1-co-tipperary/

Summary
The excavation of the site at Park revealed a multiperiod site, the site extended over a dis-
tance of c.450m. The earliest phase of activity, dated to the Bronze Age, was represented
by a concentration of pits, postholes and stake-holes in the western area of the site. A clus-
ter of nine stake-holes represented the remnants of a small structure, c. 5m in diameter.
In the far western extent of the site four oval cremation pits were recorded.
A concentration of 77 pits and six hearths, dated to the medieval period, was located
across the area of the excavation. A later phase of medieval activity at the site was associ-
ated with four kilns. A keyhole-shaped kiln was excavated in the western part of the site.
This comprised a flue and two chambers. Another kiln was located c. 95m west of the
eastern limit of excavation. It was dumb-bell shaped and fragments of rotary querns were
used as part of the stone lining. A third kiln was recorded just 90m further west. It was a
stone-lined keyhole-shaped kiln and comprised two chambers and a flue. The fourth kiln
was partly destroyed by a later ditch. Quern stone fragments were recovered from the fills
of three pits, two kilns and two ditches. Limited evidence for metalworking was recorded
at the site, slag was found in two of the ditches, four pits and a hearth.
Several ditches extended across the site. Eight of the ditches may be medieval in origin
and these were possibly associated with medieval enclosures and were probably contem-
porary with activity at the kilns. A small portion of an enclosure, c. 10m by 18m inter-
nally, was recorded at the western end of the site. It extended beyond the LMA to the
south. No features were excavated in the interior. Fifteen of the ditches were interpreted
as modern field boundaries.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Park 1
E no. E3772
Site director Gerry Mullins
Townland Park
Parish Aghnameadle and Ballymackey
County Tipperary
Barony Upper Ormond
OS Map Sheet No. TN22
National Grid Reference 199643 180953

v

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 are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John
Sunderland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist anal-
ysis was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Linda Lynch, Margaret McCarthy,
Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan, Tim Young, and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s Uni-
versity Belfast.

vi


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

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 southeast 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: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map�
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.

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


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.
A group of pits, dated to the Middle Neolithic was excavated at Culleenwaine E3741
and a hearth-side group of pits at Drumbaun E3912. A few sherds of Early Neolithic
pottery was recorded at both sites. Stone tools dating to the Neolithic were recorded at
Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660 and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools
dating to the late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Cas-
tleroan E3909, Culleenwaine E3741, Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1
E3638 and Moatquarter E3910.

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

4

190400 196200 202000 207800
Park 1-E3659

Park 1

186400
186400

Castleroan 1
E 3909
Busherstown 1
E 3661
Loughan 1
Greenhills 3 E 4000
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: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map with all the excavation sites marked�
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3659-park1-co-tipperary/

5


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

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Up to 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
and Conran 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). Evidence of domestic activity dating to the Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age
was recorded at Clashnevin 2.

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)
The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The
characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-
merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000
and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s
(Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has
a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries
AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-
lar society (Stout 1997).
North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious
centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen
by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at
the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH
2006, 4-8).
A possible early medieval enclosure and associated road way was recorded at Killeisk
E3587. A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774.

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
tower 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 fit-
zWalter in 1185 (NIAH 2006, 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-de-
fended homesteads in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early
fourteenth centuries 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 (Farrelly and O’Brien 2002, 298).
A newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661.

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

Site Location and Topography
The site at Park (Plates 1 and 2) was located on a level ground at c. 110m OD overlooking
the River Ollatrim to the west. The site was well drained with a very slight slope to the
east and south. The subsoil was a mix of clay and gravel that accumulated from glacial
outwash. The fulacht fiadh at Park 2 E3772 was located c. 100m to the east of the site on
lower wetter ground.
Park townland is enclosed to the north, east and west by the River Ollatrim and small
watercourses. The eastern boundary of Park is also the county bounds between Offaly
and Tipperary. The southern boundary is a field boundary comprising of a bank and sea-
sonal field drain. There are 173 acres in Park.

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

7

198157 199157 200157

8
ROSDREHID Clynoe 2
CLYNOE

CARROWEA

181333
181333

BALLYKNOCKANE

Ollatrim (River) Park 2
Park 1

PARK
Clash 1

180683
180683

CLASH

0 300 600

¥ Meters
198157 199157 200157
180033

Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map TN21 showing the location of Park 1�


Plate 1: Aerial view of Park 1 looking east�

as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method state-
ments for excavation licences.
The site was excavated from 29 September 2007 to the 17 November 2007. Only areas
within the LMA (lands made available) were resolved. The full extent of the area of exca-
vation measured 13900msq (Figure 4).
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register (Appendix 1)
and the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found
in the groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3). Some of the context numbers in Area 1
and in Area 2 at Park 1 were duplicated during the course of the excavation. It was de-
cided in post-excavation to re-number the context numbers in Area 2 to avoid repetition
of numbers. The context numbers from 3 to 209 in Area 2 were re-numbered 2003 to
2209. The associated drawing numbers from 1 to 133 were re-numbered 301 to 433 and
the bone sample numbers from 1 to 6 were re-numbered 301 to 306. It was not possible to
change the context numbers on the photographic board included in the site photographs.
The relevant area number (Area 1 or Area 2) prefaces the context number illustrated on
the board.

9


Plate 2: View of Park 1 mid-excavation looking east�

Excavation results
Park 1 was divided into two areas, Area 1 and Area 2, Area 1 measured 6900msq while
Area 2 measured 7000msq (Figure 5). The prehistoric archaeological remains from Park 1
included Early Bronze Age finds, a Middle Bronze Age cremation pit and possibly associ-
ated features, Late Bronze Age pottery from a pit and a possible building (Structure 1)
and another possible prehistoric building (Structure 3). Material from the historic period
included early medieval pits corn drying kilns, a building (Structure 4), an enclosing
ditch and iron smelting features, as well as some iron finds. Later medieval archaeological
remains included filed boundary ditches and pits. Human activities continued at Park
into the modern era, represented by field boundaries, stakeholes and evidence of modern
farming practices.

Early Bronze Age artefacts
During the course of soil stripping at Park 1 three flint flakes were recovered (1:1–3). All
of these refitted together, suggesting flint knapping at the site. These artefacts have been
dated to the Early Bronze Age (Appendix 5). Three quartzite rubbing stones recovered
from the topsoil (1:5–7) have also, following specialist analysis, been attributed a Bronze
Age date (Appendix 5). However, all these finds were recovered from the topsoil, not from
sealed contexts.

10

199260 199630 200000

ROSDREHID
Park 1-E3659

890
0

181176
181176

880
0

870
0
PA R K

86
00

85
00

84
00

180946
180946

83
00

82
00

81
00

80
00

180716
180716

CLASH
Olla
trim

79
Park 1 (E3659)

00
( Ri
ver
)
0 100 200
Metres ±

78
00
199260 199630 200000

Figure 4: Location and extent of Park 1 E3659 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�

11


Middle Bronze Age features

Cremation pit (Group 14)
The earliest clearly dateable feature excavated at Park was a token cremation pit burial
(C.272, Plate 3). Radiocarbon analysis of the bone confirmed that it dated from 1300–
1118 cal BC (UBA-15451), placing it firmly in the Middle Bronze Age. This was not a
complete human cremation burial, as the required weight of bone did not occur in the
pit. According to McCormick et al. (1995, 93), a full human adult cremated skeleton
weighs between 2500 and 3000 grams. McKinley (1989) states that a cremated human
adult skeleton can weight between 1600 grams and 3500 grams, obviously depending on
the sex and age of the individual. The excavated cremated human bone at Park weighed
49 grams. A fragment of worked bone was recovered from the fill, perhaps representing
a grave good. It is therefore probable that the feature was a token burial rather than the
complete cremated human remains.

Features possibly associated with burials (Group 10A, 10B, 10W
and 10X)
The area in which pit C.272 occurred was severely truncated in all directions by later cul-
tivation furrows. Perhaps other examples of token cremation pits, or indeed shallow cist
burials, were destroyed during the process of later cultivation. It is possible that pits C.316,
C.318 and C.325 could have originally been associated with the cremation pit, although
no cremated bone was recovered.
There was no evidence for an accompanying pyre. The closest burnt pit (C.293) at
Park was found 20 m east of token cremation pit C.272. But there was no evidence re-
covered from its excavation to confirm that it had been used in association with funerary
ritual. Perhaps funeral pyres occur elsewhere in unexcavated and untested areas.
The identification by Frazer (2009, 37: Location 11) of a ring-ditch some short dis-
tance (c. 100 m) north of the excavated area, together with the other pit and cist burial
evidence, confirms the area to have been widely used as a cemetery. Ring ditches have
been associated with both cremation and inhumation burials and the majority date from
the Bronze Age (Newman 1997, 160). Based of previously recorded evidence, particularly
that at Belfast Road, Downpatrick, Co. Down (Cleary 2005, 27) there is no reason to sug-
gest that the site at Park did not serve both a settlement and cemetery function.

Late Bronze Age features

Pit (Group 10I)
Approximately 75 m to the east of cremation pit C.272, 28 pieces of Late Bronze Age pot-
tery (Appendix 6), both body and rim sherds, were recovered from a pit (C.24). This was
located near Structure 1 (see below for description) and may have been associated with it.

12


Plate 3: Pre excavation view of cremation pit C�272�

Structure 1 (Group 8A and 9A)
A small structure (see Figure 5A) was located close to the Late Bronze Age pit. It com-
prised a post-hole (C.90) and ten stake-holes (C.22, C.53, C.129, C.145, C.152, C.159,
C.161, C.164, C.165 and C.174). It was roughly U-shaped or oval in plan and was c. 5
m in diameter. There was just a single setting of posts/stakes. There was no hearth found
and the structural evidence, although reasonably sturdy, may not have served to support
a permanent dwelling. It is even possible that the structure served a non-domestic func-
tion, although there is no indication of what this was. Of the seven proposed ‘structures’
identified at Park, Structure 1 was the most clearly defined. The other light structures
located at the site are difficult to date; they might be associated with Bronze Age activities
or with the early medieval period.

Early medieval activity
Radiocarbon analysis has placed three features on the Park site in the early medieval
period, a pit, a kiln and an enclosing ditch. Other material probably dating to the early
medieval period included a structure (Structure 4), iron working features and finds such
as an iron ring and a knife blade.

13


Plate 4: Mid-excavation of kiln C�291 at Park 1 (Photo: John Sunderland)�

Pit C.341 (Group 10A)
The first and most westerly of the early medieval activity was represented by a pit (C.341)
(Figures 5A 6). The pit was recut (C.2184) and charcoal recovered from a secondary fill
(C.352) returned a radiocarbon date of cal AD 694–876 (UBA-15099). Slag was found in
the pit and this indicated that metalworking was being practiced in the vicinity during
the 8th/9th century. Pit C.341 also produced the largest identifiable collection of animal
bone from the Park 1 site, including some burnt and unburnt bones. These have been
identified as cattle, sheep and a possible horse (Appendix 7). These animal species roughly
conform to the early medieval Irish economy described by Stout (1997, 35–8). But it is
perhaps surprising that more pig bone was not present. The bone assemblage was recov-
ered from contexts both pre-dating and post-dating the recut and it is considered that the
time lapse involved between cuts was minimal, as the sandy nature of the soil in the area
is very prone to collapse, especially in the rain.

Kiln (Group 7A) and possible kiln (Group 6A)
A corn drying kiln (C.291, Group 7A), (Figures 5A 7, plates 4 5) roughly contem-
porary with pit C.341, was found approximately 50 m to the southeast. Cereal recovered
from a kiln basal fill (C.314) returned a radiocarbon date of cal AD 685–862 (UBA-
15045). Monk and Kelleher (2005, 105) have referred to problems with kiln dating and it
is important that in this case cereal was recovered from a secure basal fill.
It is noteworthy that kiln C.291 appears to be set in a corner protected on the east by
proposed medieval ditch C.452. The occurrence of the kiln, in association with the evi-
dence of domestic animal keeping, allows an insight into the economy of early medieval
Ireland. Again, this is in broad agreement with the evidence identified by Stout (1997) for
this period.

14


Plate 5: South facing section of kiln C�291 showing hearth C�380 truncating C�294�

Plate 6: Aerial view of enclosing ditch C�297 looking south�

A possible kiln (C.1002) was truncated by post-medieval/early modern ditch C.47.
The preserved remains of one chamber (the western) measured 0.4 m by 0.3 m by 0.38 m
in depth. There was no stone lining or burnt soil present and a small amount of grain was
noted in the chamber fill. It is therefore evident that the fire occurred in the destroyed
chamber. It seems that the kiln belonged either to the figure of eight or to the dumb-bell
category. According to Monk and Kelleher (2005, 105–6) this type of kiln pre-dates the

15

Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Park 1.

16
318 452 389
250

97
205
±
390
341 Cremation pits Structure 5 410 239
316 189 228
400 397 143 210
468 55 24
Structure 3 184 90
with associated pits Structure 1
174 164
282 422 165
145
141 22 53
62 152
241 Structure 2

373 305 18 297
481 42
379 293
272 267
269

433 452 Enclosure

Structure 4 431 Kiln 435
404 438 Structure 7
385 440
393 411 291 442 447

1/4

149
2/4 86

127
1001
155
180
45 125
124
±
119 39
214 73
Ditch
112 1002 1048
182 1007
33
48
192
36
4 1018 199 1009
Metal 57 59
109 198 1013
83 working 68 1079
28
26 1039 1113
1050 1063
1101 1059
14 1075
8 1091
6 12 1067 1089
1041 1105
168 1056
157

Kiln Hearth
0 25 m

Figure 5a: Post-excavation plan of western area of Park 1�

3/4 ±
2208
2030 585
2060 2180
Park 1-E3659

517
2097 2085 545
2006 2136 2174
2191 519
2013 2083 2134
2167 2196 611
2169 2142
Structure 6
2003 2190 563
2107 2124 2138
2027
2048 2175
2041 2022
2011
2044
2094 2203
2017 2102 2100
2033 2187
2104
2112
2074
609

2071

561
4/4
±
546

567 513

530
542
540
514
532
550

505

501
Kiln Hearth

0 25 m

Figure 5b: Post-excavation plan of eastern area of Park 1�

17

Archaeological Report - Park 1, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Park 1, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

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