Clogharevaun Bronze Age Burnt Mound and Post Medieval Field System

Date: May 2007
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2056, a Bronze Age
burnt mound and post‐medieval field system in the townland of
Clogharevaun, Co. Galway

By: Brendon Wilkins & Amy Bunce, with contributions by Torben Bjarke Ballin, Niamh Doyle and Susan
Lyons.
Ministerial Direction no: A024/19
DoE Registration no: E2056
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: 23620‐24420
NGR: 157692/224124

HEADLAND ARCHAEOLOGY LTD: N6 Galway – Ballinasloe: A024/19, E2056: Clogharevaun

CONTENTS PAGE

1 Summary 3

2 Introduction 4

3 Site description and location 4

4 Aims and methodology 4

5 Results 5

6 Discussion 7

7 Archive 1

List of Figures

Figure 1 Location of excavation area
Figure 2 Location of excavation area and RMP extract
Figure 3 Site plan of burnt mound 1004, Area C
Figure 4 Plan and section through 1003, Area C
Figure 5 Sections through banks, trenches 1, 2 & 4, Area G

List of Plates

Plate 1 Pre‐ex of trough [1003], area C
Plate 2 North facing section of trough [1003], area C
Plate 3 Post‐ex of trough [1003], area C
Plate 4 Southeast facing section of [1002], area C
Plate 5 West facing section of trench 2, area G
Plate 6 Working shot, area G
Plate 7 East facing section of trench 5, area G
Plate 8 West facing section of [3008], area G
Plate 9 Test‐pit 43, area H
Plate 10 Test‐pits 48 & 49, area H
Plate 11 Test‐pits 57 & 60, area H
Plate 12 Test‐pit 9, area H
Plate 13 West facing section of trench 1, area B
Plate 14 Test‐pit 5, area F
Plate 15 Test‐pit 5, area F
Plate 16 Southwest facing section of slot 2, area I

2

Appendices

Appendix 1 Context registers
Appendix 2 Finds registers
Appendix 3 Sample registers
Appendix 4 Photograph registers
Appendix 5 Drawing registers
Appendix 6 Environmental Assessment Report by Susan Lyons
Appendix 7 Radiocarbon Certificates
Appendix 8 Site Matrices
3
Summary

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations carried out on behalf of Galway County
Council as part of Contract 2 Archaeological Investigations prior to the commencement of construction on
the N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme. The work was undertaken under DoE Registration No. E2056 in the
townland of Clogharevaun, Co. Galway. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,
following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland, directed that Brendon Wilkins of Headland
Archaeology Ltd should proceed with Phase II excavation.

Pre‐Construction Testing under ministerial direction number A024/2.20 on this site in 2005 suggested this
would be an area of high archaeological significance due to the remains of the Clogharevaun castle tower
house in an adjacent field and upstanding embankments, cultivation ridges and a re‐aligned river course
within the road take. Geophysical survey had also highlighted a series of possible ditch fills, field boundaries
and track‐ways. In addition, the presence of a reasonably modern bridge suggested an earlier river crossing
in this location. The test trenching confirmed a burnt spread which had previously been observed as a horse‐
shoe shaped mound. Testing was complicated by flooding, with the areas around the original river course
being heavily water logged.

Archaeological excavation was conducted on this site between April 2006 and May 2006. The site was
divided into six areas designated B, C, F, G, H & I after the feature numbers assigned during testing.

Area B was located across an east‐west orientated shallow bank at the foot of an esker. Five 15m by 1.8m
trenches were excavated. A small deposit of charcoal was recorded within one of these trenches and the
bank was interpreted as a natural accumulation of colluvial deposit. Also included within the remit of area B
was a sub‐rectangular feature, but when stripping took place no sign of this feature could be discerned.

Area C was located over the burnt mound. It revealed an 11m by 12m spread of burnt mound material with
a maximum depth of 0.20m. A trough of 2.8m length and 1.6m width by 0.27m depth was discovered
beneath the mound and was filled by the material that made up the mound. There were no other features
recorded in area C.

Area F consisted of a series of twelve hand‐dug 1m by 1m test trenches. The topsoil and subsoil, where it
existed, was very shallow and no finds were recovered.

Area G was located across a linear bank and excavated by means of six trenches. Two features were
discovered, one of which was interpreted as a tree‐throw; the other was archaeological and filled purely with
charcoal. The bank was comprised of naturally accumulated colluvial subsoil.

Area H consisted of a series of sixty hand‐dug 1m by 1m test trenches. A pit, two stone alignments, a stone
spread and a few natural stone sockets were the only features discovered. Many finds including modern
ceramic, medieval ceramic, a partial animal skeleton, glass, clay pipe, iron, bone, teeth, chert, mortar and
oyster shell were recorded within the topsoil and subsoil.

Area I was located on the south side of the Clogharevaun River and consisted of a curvilinear double bank
and ditch. Three hand‐dug trenches were placed over this feature and a V‐shaped ditch was discovered
between two banks of upcast subsoil.

4

1 Introduction

Works were carried out along the route of the proposed N6 Galway to East of Ballinasloe national road
scheme, between the townlands of Doughiska in County Galway and Beagh in County Roscommon. The
proposed road will consist of approximately 56km of dual carriageway, a 7km link road from Carrowkeel to
Loughrea and approximately 23km of side roads. There will be four grade‐separated junctions, 36 bridges
and a toll plaza located at Cappataggle.

The area of proposed archaeological investigations was divided into four contracts, based on four sectors of
approximately equal extent. The work described here was undertaken under Archaeological Investigations
Contract 2. Contract 2 covered a stretch of road development of approximately 13.2km length of dual
carriageway and 7km of single carriageway, and passed to the south of Athenry and Kiltullagh in a
generally east‐west direction. The project was funded by the Irish Government and the European Union
under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006. Headland Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by
Galway County Council to undertake the works. RPS compiled an Environmental Impact Survey of the
route in 2005, and an aerial survey was also undertaken. A Geophysical survey was conducted by
Archaeophysica in 2004. On the basis of findings from this work, Contract 2 investigations commenced in
September 2005.

2 Site description and location

Site E2056 was located approximately 1km from the centre of Kiltullagh. The six areas excavated were all
situated on the western side of the Kiltullagh to Loughrea road, opposite the ruins of the Clogharevaun
castle tower house. All but one of the sites were located on the northern side of the Dooyertha/Clogharevaun
river. The landscape consisted of low lying hills sloping down to the river and was under permanent
pasture. At the time of excavation, the fields were defined by limestone dry stone walls. A prominent esker
lay beyond the CPO to the west. The areas closest to the river were liable to flood after heavy rainfall, and
the course of the original channel of the river could become extremely waterlogged. The site was located at
NGR M 576/241, chainage 23620‐24420.

3 Aims and methodology

The objective of the work was the preservation by record of any archaeological features or deposits in
advance of the proposed road construction.

• An area of 27m sq was exposed in area B, also an area of 100m sq over the possible sub‐rectangular
feature.

• An area of 500m sq was exposed in area C and an area of about 50m sq was exposed in area G.

• Other areas were excavated by means of hand‐dug test‐pits or test trenches.

• An area of 12m sq was exposed in area F, 60m sq in area H and approximately 25m sq in area I.

Hand testing was performed primarily for the purpose of recording sections and retrieving the maximum
number of finds. The resulting surfaces were cleaned and all potential features investigated by hand.
Archaeological contexts were recorded by photograph and on record sheets, plans and sections were drawn.
Registers for contexts, finds, photographs and drawings are provided in the appendices. Ordnance Datum
levels, feature locations and test‐pit locations were recorded using penmap and an EDM. Environmental
5
samples were taken on any deposits suitable for analysis or dating. The majority of hand‐dug test‐pits were
backfilled by means of sieving the contents for increased find recovery.

4 Results

The six areas excavated are described separately below.

Area B

Area B was located at the limit of the Clogharevaun river flood plain to investigate a low, east‐west
orientated bank to the south of an esker. Cultivation ridges were observed running up the esker and current
field walls respected the old river course, clearly marking the edge of the flood plain and the limit of
cultivatable land. The area was heavily waterlogged. Prior to the stripping a gap in the bank was observed.
Stripping was by machine in a series of five 15m long trenches, the sections of these were cleaned by hand
and drawn. The total area stripped over the bank was 27m².

The topsoil layer (2000) was a brown sandy silt between 0.06m thick when above the bank and 0.40m away
from the bank. The subsoil was divided into two layers; (2001) was a moderately compact grey brown sandy
silt varying between 0.10m and 0.30m deep directly above the bank. Below this was a firm yellow brown
clay silt (2003) between 0.10m and 0.30m deep. It did not form the bank but did include a deposit of charcoal
in trench 5. The unmodified natural subsoil (2002) was a firm white to grey clay silt. In trench 4 a variation in
the natural was observed; layer (2004) was a loose dark blue‐grey gritty sand.

An area was stripped above a possible rectangular feature exposing 100m sq, but this proved to be
archaeologically sterile. There were no finds from area B.

Area C

Area C was located close to the current Clogharevaun river and adjacent to an extinct paleo‐channel. Prior to
stripping the site was recorded as an upstanding horse‐shoe shaped mound with the ‘horns’ of the mound
orientated to the west. It was stripped by machine exposing an area of 500m². A topsoil [1000], subsoil [1005]
and unmodified natural subsoil [1001] were recorded, in addition to layer [1002], a12m by 11m wide sub‐
circular deposit of burnt material. It comprised 50% burnt limestone and 10% unburnt stones within a dark
grey‐black charcoal rich silt. The stripped area flooded over the course of the excavation, particularly in the
south of the area, but the burnt mound remained relatively dry as a consequence of being located on slightly
raised land. Although layer [1002] was only 0.20m deep the slight rise in the underlying natural made the
mound fairly prominent.

The mound was excavated in quadrants leaving a cruciform baulk; a negative cut feature [1003] interpreted
as a trough was discovered in the western quadrant. The trough [1003] measured 2.8m in length, 1.6m in
width and was 0.27m deep. It was sub‐rectangular with a flat base and sides of 30° to 70°. It was filled by
deposit (1004) a black‐brown loose charcoal rich silt with 50% burnt limestone, which was almost identical to
that making up the mound. [1003] was noted to not be a particularly large example of a trough. A small
piece of burnt bone was recovered from within the fill, suggesting it may have been used for cooking. Area
C had no other features and there were no finds.

Area F

Area F was located next to the Clogharevaun river on the south facing side of a small rise. Twelve 1m by 1m
test‐pits were hand‐excavated to identify the potential for prehistoric remains and artefacts. A flint scraper
was found adjacent to this area during testing and the topographical aspect suggested the location was
favourable for prehistoric activity. The deposit sequence consisted of shallow topsoil [6000], dark brown
6
sandy silt extending to an average 0.14m. The subsoil layer [6001] was not always present in each test‐pit
even when situated close to the river but was a yellow‐brown sandy silt of an average 0.28m depth. The
unmodified natural subsoil [6002] was a grey sand with frequent small stone inclusions. There were no
archaeological finds or features recoded in this area.

Area G

Area G was located adjacent to the Clogharevaun river and near the modern road bridge. A linear feature
was investigated as it extended parallel to the river. It was stripped by machine in a series of six trenches
over the earthwork; the sections were cleaned by hand and drawn. A uniform deposit sequence (3000) of
dark brown silty sand topsoil 0.05m‐0.15m deep overlay a mid brown silty sand subsoil (3001), 0.10m‐0.30m
deep. This was directly above a grey sand unmodified natural subsoil (3002).

The bank consisted of a subsoil layer (3001) which was deepest at its apex. Two other contexts were present
beneath this layer though not identified in all sections. The first was a dark brown sandy silt 0.10m deep
(3006); this intermittent lense could have been a factor of chemical weathering processes with material
leaching from above. The second layer (3007) was also intermittent beneath the subsoil and in some sections
was recorded above the dark brown sandy layer (3006). Layer (3007) was a yellow‐brown mix of sand clay
and silt, 0.05m to 0.15m deep, possibly a heavily degraded remnant of a previous land surface.

Two features were identified in this bank. A natural feature (3003) was a tree bole with rooting and the
disturbed fill of (3005). The cut for the tree hole (3003) was irregular and measured 0.35m by 0.20m wide and
0.10m deep. It was filled by a grey‐brown sand of loose compaction (3005). Feature (3008) was cut through
the possible buried soil horizon (3007) and was filled with pure charcoal and burnt stones (3009). It
measured 1m x 0.80m and was sub‐circular in plan with a depth of 0.10m. The sides were steep although the
base was irregular. A deposit (3009) was a black charcoal layer of loose compaction with 10% burnt stone. A
piece of slag and a clay pipe stem were recovered from the subsoil (3001) in this area. A stone axe was
recovered from this area during testing.

Area H

Area H was located on a hillside sloping down to the Clogharevaun river. Cultivation ridges were recorded
in the field and its proximity to the tower house across the road led to the excavation of sixty 1m by 1m test‐
pits, located at random points within the CPO. The soil from the excavation of these test‐pits was sieved to
increase the potential for find recovery. The test‐pits were designed as a strategy to identify potentially
buried field systems or soil horizons beneath the cultivation ridges.

The deposit sequence consisted of a mid brown silty clay topsoil [5000] extending to an average depth of
0.15m. A yellow‐brown sandy silt subsoil (5002), 0.20m‐0.50m deep was beneath the topsoil. A lower
variation to the subsoil was an orange‐brown sandy silt [5003] but this was only present in a small number
of test‐pits. The unmodified natural subsoil [5001] was a glacially derived grey sandy clay with frequent
gravel inclusions. In some test‐pits this varied to an orange clay silt [5006]. A white‐grey clay silt [5007] was
recorded in one of the test‐pits closest to area G, it was assumed to be an alluvial deposit possibly related to
the earthwork in area G.

Many of the test‐pits were placed to investigate in section hollows or bumps in the ground. A modern
trackway, possible field boundary banks, sunken paths and the cultivation ridges were all examined in this
manner. No evidence of these features existed into the natural, unmodified soil; they were all comprised of
subsoil. A large pit (5004) was recorded in test‐pit 6; it was not visible from the surface and was cut into the
subsoil (5003). Test‐pit 6 was located near the top of the hill and 1.2 m of feature (5004) was exposed; the
sides were 40° from the horizontal and an irregular base was recorded. This was filled by (5005), a dark red‐
brown silty clay of loose to moderate compaction with frequent stone inclusions.
7

Two linear stone constructions were recorded in test‐pits in the northern part of the area. One was
interpreted as a rough stone wall made up of small stones, which turned a 90° corner, the other was made of
large stones laid in a north/south linear. These were interpreted as farm walls of uncertain date. Many finds
were recovered from the test‐pits including modern ceramic, medieval ceramic, a partial animal skeleton,
glass, clay pipe, iron, bone, teeth, chert, mortar and oyster shell were discovered within the topsoil and
subsoil.

Area I

Area I was located on the south side of the Clogharevaun river. A curvilinear double bank and ditch was
examined with three hand‐excavated trenches across the earthworks and the sections were drawn. It is
possible that the earthwork actually represents two linear double banks and ditch with the position of the
corner to the west actually being a break. The two trenches closest to the river were orientated north‐west to
south‐east; the other trench was orientated north‐east to south‐west and only showed one of the banks and
the ditch.

The deposit sequence was characterised by a mid to dark brown silty sand topsoil (4000), 0.05m‐0.15m deep.
This overlay a mid brown silty sand subsoil (4001), and a grey stony sand natural subsoil (4002). Other
contexts below the subsoil included an interface context (4004) between (4001) and (4002) which comprised a
yellow sandy silt, and a blue‐grey sandy silt (4003).

The ditch feature (4005) between the banks consisted of a number of subsoil contexts, (4001), (4008), (4015)
and (4016). The ditch was V‐shaped, 1m to 1.20m wide and 0.25m to 0.40m deep. It had two fills: a blue‐grey
sandy‐silt (4006) and a brown‐grey silty sand with orange patches (4007), representing iron content. Another
ditch (4012) was present outside the banks and was 1m in width by 0.30m deep. It was filled by a pale grey
silty sand (4013) and a dark grey‐brown silt with orange iron patches (4014). A possible flood deposit (4009)
was also observed closest to the river and its presence strongly suggests the banks were some form of flood
defence.

6 Discussion

The tower house at Cloghervaun is in a poor state of decay, but upstanding walls suggest it was typical of
other fortified later medieval residences of the anglo Irish gentry. Refences to the original owner, Hugh
McSwyne, have been identified in a list compiled in 1574 for the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sidney, refering to
Clogerowayne in the parish of Kiltullagh (Nolan 1901). Although the tower house itself was outside the road
take, a number of embankments, cultivation ridges, field boundaries and paloechannels were identified
within the proposed road scheme that predated the current re-alligned river course. The different areas of
investigation are discussed separately below.

Area B

The bank was an accumulation of colluvial deposit moving downslope as a result of cultivation of the
adjacent esker. The paleoenvironmental assessment of the upper subsoil (2001) indicated a small amount of
charcoal and no other botanical or archaeological remains. Possible interpretations of the bank include a
flood defence but this is unlikely, due to the gap in the bank. The esker almost immediately behind the bank
would make such flood defence redundant.

Area C

The burnt mound at area C was recognised as a small upstanding earthwork prior to stripping. It was horse‐
shoe shaped, as is typical for mounds surviving above the ground surface. It was also situated on a slight
mound making it fairly prominent and dry. It seems likely that the trough was located within the internal
8
area of the horse‐shoe shape although that could not be confirmed once the area had been stripped. This
would suggest that the mound had formed in a classic shape around the trough resulting from the throwing
of material out of the trough.

It is widely accepted that burnt mounds required a substantial amount of water and they were invariably
located near springs, streams or in marshy areas (e.g. O’ Neill, 2000). The burnt mound material uncovered
during the excavation, although severely truncated, appeared to constitute a single burnt mound, 12m by
11m. The trough was located in the centre of the upcast burnt stone material; no other troughs were
identified. The volume of burnt stone and charcoal material contained in the mound together with the
presence of more than one trough suggest that it was intensively used for a long period of time. The mound
itself was made up of heat‐shattered stone and charcoal in silty material. There was some variation
throughout the mound but individual tip‐lines were not visible.

It has been established that the function of burnt mound troughs was to boil water, but how this water was
subsequently used is difficult to ascertain. No specific evidence has been identified from this excavation to
indicate definitively how the hot water was used, and none of the possibilities i.e. cooking, washing,
tanning, brewing etc. can be ruled out. The paleoenvironmental analysis processed samples of burnt mound
material (1002) and one of the trough fill (1003). The samples contained a large concentration of charcoal but
were mostly devoid of other botanical indicators of domestic activity, as could be expected from a burnt
mound site. A quantity of mollusc and a small amount of quartz was also present although little further
information could be drawn from these samples (Lyons 2006).

Two radiocarbon dates were obtained for the burnt mound at area C. A quantity of willow or poplar
charcoal was recovered from the burnt mound material and produced a most probable date range at two
sigma of 1496‐1373 cal BC (UB‐7408); and a sample of oak charcoal within the trough fill produced a date
range at two sigma of 1419‐1268 cal BC (UB‐7409). These dates fit into the Middle Bronze Age and as such
are entirely consistent with dates obtained for other burnt mounds (Brindley & Lanting 1990).

Area F

Area F was excavated on a prominent noll adjacent to the river. 12 test pits were excavated but no finds or
archaeological features were recorded. A short‐end scrapper was recovered from field 503, adjacent to this
area in testing. It was a chipped chert tool with secondary retouch and measured 33 x 22 x 7 mm, with a neat,
convex, steep scrapper edge at the distal end, consistent with an early Bronze Age date. It was a residual,
topsoil find unrelated to any adjacent earthwork features.

Area G

The linear earthwork of area G marked the division between the arable land evidenced by the cultivation
ridges in area H and the land next to the river, a possible water meadow. A small, polished stone axe was
was recovered in testing from field 503, adjacent to the bank. It was a fine grained bassalt Noelithic polished
stone axe measuring 76 mm long, with a maximum width at the distal edge of 0.51 mm, 0.27 mm at the
proximal end and 16 mm in cross section. It was a residula, topsoil find unrelated to the adjacent bank. The
accumulation of deposits in this location was interpreted as a natural bank resulting from colluvial action,
stimulated by active cultivation of the adjacent slope. The river would previously have run a different course
further to the south and this would have left a large meander curve between the earthwork and the river.
The present stone field wall also appears to respect the bank indicating that it predates the field wall,
although the presence of pit [3008] indicates that this feature was cut as the bank was in the process of
accumulation.

Area H

9
The post‐medieval pottery consisted of 55 fragments from area H. The majority was 18th to early 20th
century in date and of Irish/English origin. All pottery came from the topsoil and subsoil layers and
originated from relatively recent agricultural activity. The pieces comprised mostly creamware, pearlware or
earthenware with a few pieces identifiable as Willow pattern or shell‐edged ware. There was also part of a
stoneware bottle. There was one fragment of medieval pottery within the assemblage that was likely to have
originated from the adjacent tower house. It was of orange fabric with a thick green glaze and was possibly
manufactured nearby (Doyle 2007).

The lithics assemblage comprised four pieces recovered from the topsoil layer (5000). The assemblage did
not include any diagnostic pieces and the lithics are thought to have been residual artefacts, recovered from
the topsoil. The lack of blade blanks suggests a later prehistoric date and the technology suggests a date
consistent with an abandonment of lithics and the beginnings of the predominance of metals

The lithic assemblage from Area H, Clogharevaun, Co. Galway
Torben Bjarke Ballin

Introduction
In 2005, Headland Archaeology Ltd. carried out pre‐construction testing on Site A024/019, in the Townland
of Clogharevaun, Co. Galway (Wilkins 2006). The presence of the Clogharevaun castle tower house and
associated features defined the area as being of potential archaeological interest. Additional geophysical
survey also highlighted a series of possible ditch fills, field boundaries and track‐ways, and the presence of a
bridge indicated an earlier river crossing in this location. Test trenching identified a horseshoe‐shaped
mound as a burnt mound, and a possible Medieval field system was noticed.

A full archaeological investigating of the location was carried out between April and May 2006, and the site
was divided into six areas: B, C, F, G, H, and I. Lithic artefacts were only recovered from Area H (four
pieces) and Area I (1 piece). Area H included a pit, two stone alignments, a stone spread, and a few stone
sockets. The finds embraced mainly historical items, in addition to the four pieces of chert. Area I consisted
of a curvilinear double bank and ditch, and only a tooth, a piece of metal, and a piece of chert were
recovered. The chert artefacts were all retrieved from various top‐ and sub‐soil contexts. Below, the site is
generally referred to as Clogharevaun.

The purpose of the present report is to characterise and, to the degree this is possible, date and interpret the
lithic finds. The evaluation of the lithic assemblage is based upon a detailed catalogue of all the lithic finds
from Clogharevaun, and the artefacts in this report are referred to by their number (CAT no.) in the
catalogue.

Basic terminology
The definitions of the main lithic categories are as follows:

Chips: All flakes and indeterminate pieces the greatest dimension (GD) of which is ≤ 10mm.

Flakes: All lithic artefacts with one identifiable ventral (positive or convex) surface, GD >10mm and L <2W
(L=length; W=width).

Indeterminate pieces: Lithic artefacts which cannot be unequivocally identified as either flakes or cores.
Generally the problem of identification is due to irregular breaks, frost‐shattering or fire‐crazing.
10

Chunks are larger indeterminate pieces, and in, for example, the case of quartz, the problem of identification
usually originates from a piece flaking along natural planes of weakness rather than flaking in the usual
conchoidal way.

Blades and microblades: Flakes where L ≥ 2W. In the case of blades W > 8mm, in the case of microblades W ≤
8mm.
Cores: Artefacts with only dorsal (negative or concave) surfaces – if three or more flakes have been detached,
the piece is a core, if fewer than three flakes have been detached, the piece is a split or flaked pebble.

Tools: Artefacts with secondary retouch (modification).

Characterisation (catalogue)
The assemblage includes the following five lithic objects:

Area I, Context 4004 (Subsoil)
CAT 13. Tertiary fragment of bipolar core, black chert (22 x 24 x 6mm). Half of one terminal (crushed ridge).
SF001.

Area H, Context 5000 (Topsoil)
CAT 14. Proximal‐medial section of tertiary bipolar flake with edge‐retouch, black chert (22 x 14 x 5mm). The
left lateral side is fully retouched; the right lateral side has been damaged, possibly by use. SF001.

CAT 15. Tertiary hard‐hammer flake, black chert (35 x 25 x 10 mm). The platform‐edge of the flake is
untrimmed. SF002.

Area H, Context 5002 (Subsoil)
CAT 16. Distal section of secondary indeterminate flake, black chert (24 x 22 x 16 mm). The proximal left
corner of the break appears to have been used in a graving fashion, but without detaching burin spalls or
retouching the piece. SF019.

CAT 17. Secondary indeterminate flake, black chert (25 x 16 x 7 mm). The proximal end is characterised by
platform collapse. SF019.

Table 1. General artefact list.

Debitage
Flakes 3
Total debitage 3

Cores
Bipolar cores 1
Total cores 1

Tools
Pieces w edge‐retouch 1
Total tools 1

TOTAL 6

11

Summary and discussion
In total, the assemblage from Clogharevaun includes five lithic artefacts, all of which are in black chert. This
small assemblage embraces: three flakes (CAT 15‐17), one bipolar core (CAT 13), and one piece with edge‐
retouch (CAT 14). The edge‐retouched piece is based on a bipolar flake.

In general, Irish black chert occurs in a number of qualities, with some being relatively fine‐grained and
some more coarse‐grained. Some cherts are homogeneous, whereas others are riddled with intersecting
planes of weakness, with the latter causing the raw material to flake in an uncontrollable manner. The chert
from the present site is generally of good quality: it is fine‐grained, with relatively few planes of weakness,
and, in the main, it has excellent flaking properties. The Irish chert is associated with the island’s
Carboniferous Limestone, explaining its total dominance at Clogharevaun. The western part of Co. Galway
has a relatively mixed geology, consisting of a sequence of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock
forms, whereas the geology east of Lough Corrib is almost exclusively Carboniferous Limestone, with the
occasional occurrence of chert (Sevastopulo & Jackson 2001).

The chert artefacts were generally recovered from top‐ and sub‐soil contexts, and they are therefore residual
in relation to the sites’ various features. The assemblage does not include any diagnostic pieces, but the lack
of blade blanks indicates that it may be of a later prehistoric date. In the British Isles, blades were produced
up to, and including, the beginning of the Late Neolithic period (Pitts & Jacobi 1979; Ballin forthcoming).
After this watershed, all industries focused on the manufacture of flakes. Another indication of a possible
late date is the presence of bipolar pieces (one core and one retouched flake; CAT 13, 14). In his report on the
assemblage from the Beaker site at Rathdown, in Co. Wicklow (Ballin 2005), the author wrote:

The major part of the assemblage is characterized by plain bipolar technology, supplemented by knapping from
unprepared platform cores. The products of the latter are small hard‐hammer flakes, mostly with corticated platform
remnants. According to Woodman (1987, 145), simple flake industries dominated by bipolar technique typify the later
Bronze Age in Ireland. However, in areas characterised by reduction of small flint pebbles, flake industries with a
substantial bipolar component probably characterise the entire Bronze Age period.

Lately, the possible influence of raw material qualities (nodule size, flaking properties, etc.) was discussed by
Ballin (2006). As the relatively violent bipolar (‘hammer‐and‐anvil’) technique tends to shatter many forms of
chert (Ballin 2006; Ballin & Johnson 2007), absence of flint/dominance of chert in an area would generally
lead one to expect dominance of one or the other platform technique. The almost equal presence at
Clogharevaun of bipolar technique / platform technique indicators may therefore suggest a relatively late
date of the assemblage, that is, at a time when lithic technology was declining and being replaced by metal
technology (cf. Ballin 2002).

The test‐pits were unable to shed any light on the formation of the cultivation ridges although they were
frequently placed over the earthworks. Given the later date of the pottery and the existence of all earthworks
within the subsoil, and not extending into the natural, they are likely to be later agricultural remains. The
cultivation ridges are unlikely to be medieval ridge and furrow. There was possibly a house platform close
to the road at the north of the site but outside of the CPO.

The Pottery assemblage from Area H Clogharevaun, Co. Galway
Niamh Doyle MA MIAI

Table Pottery from excavations at Clougharevaun Castle, County Galway
Table 2 Pottery from contexts at Clougharevaun Castle

Introduction
12
The pottery from Clougherevaun Castle, County Galway consists of 55 fragments of post medieval pottery
from both topsoil and subsoil layers within area H of the site that contained features associated with
cultivation in the post medieval period. The majority of the pottery is of 18th‐ early 20th century date and of
Irish/English origin. There is also a single fragment of medieval glazed pottery; a rim fragment from an
orange‐bodied jug, with a fine fabric and rich green glaze, probably of local manufacture and dating to the
13th‐14th Century.
Methodology
These fragments were identified visually in accordance with existing typologies. The different types of
pottery are presented in tabular form and a brief description of fabric and decoration is given in the text.
Both medieval and post medieval types were identified based on information from published excavations in
Ireland and existing typologies.

Dating
Date ranges for the pottery types are based on published dates for the production and distribution of pottery
excavated from archaeological sites in Ireland, England and the United States of America.

Quantification
The table in Table 1 illustrates the number of sherds found within each type and illustrates the MNV for each
post medieval pottery type. The Minimum Number of Vessels (MNV) is a vessel count based on a frequently
occurring diagnostic feature of the vessels represented in the assemblage. A count of the Minimum Number
Represented (MNR) of each vessel type is included for the post medieval wares. Date ranges and the origins
of types are shown on the tables for both the medieval and post medieval pottery assemblages.

Table 1 ‐ Table of pottery from excavations at Clougherevaun Castle, County Galway
Date
Type Sherds MNV MVR Form Range Origin
Stoneware 1 Bottle 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Creamware 20 2 Plate, Dish 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Black Glazed Red
Earthenware 1 1 jar/ bowl 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Storage
Glazed Red Earthenware 9 1 vessel 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Storage
Unglazed Red Earthenware 7 1 vessel 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Pearlware. Plain 5 2 plate, bowl 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Shell‐edged Ware 4 2 plate, bowl 18th‐19th C Ireland/ England
Painted Pearlware 7 6 plate 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Transfer Printed Ware.
Willow. Blue 1 1 plate 18th‐20th C Ireland/ England
Irish Medieval Glazed Ware 1 1 jug 13th‐14th C Ireland
Total 53 0 18

Medieval Pottery
13
The assemblage from Clougharevaun Castle contains a single fragment of Irish medieval pottery; the pottery
has a fine orange fabric, with no visible inclusions and is glazed with a thick green lead glaze. Similar fine
ware medieval pottery has been found on sites in Ireland such as Dublin (Papazian 1989) (McCutcheon 2006)
and Drogheda (Doyle 2004), and has been attributed a 13th‐14th century date.

18th‐20th Century Pottery
Glazed Red earthenware
The assemblage from Clougharevaun Castle contains a single rim fragment of Black Glazed Earthenware
from a small jar or bowl, dating to the 18th‐20th century. Black glazed earthenware vessels associated with
food processing and storage are commonly found on Irish sites of this period. Black wares are recorded
amongst imports to Galway city from Liverpool and western England in the 18th century and were also
produced at multiple sites in Ireland (Meenan 2004, 393). The assemblage contains fragments from a large
storage vessel with an everted rim and flat base made from a red‐orange fabric, with a thin internal lead
glaze that appears brown‐green in colour. The assemblage also contains some fragments of unglazed red
earthenware which are interpreted as forming part of this brown glazed vessel based on a similarity of
fabric. It is also possible that they constituted an unglazed part of the vessel.

Stoneware
The assemblage contains a single body fragment from a stoneware bottle with grey fabric and a brown glaze.
The bottle is most likely to be English in origin, and although the type of bottle cannot be determined from
this small undiagnostic fragment it is likely to have been used to store foods or household liquids such as ink
or polish.

Creamware
The assemblage contains multiple fragments from a plate and bowl in plain creamware, a common find in
assemblages of this period. Creamware, also known as “Leeds Ware” was produced in the 18th and 19th
centuries as an affordable, durable alternative to porcelain vessels. Wedgwood produced creamware in the
1750s; it became a widespread success with the production of “Queens Ware”, a line of tableware produced
by commission for the British Royal house (Richardson, 2006).

Painted Pearlware
A minimum number of six painted pearlware vessels are represented in the assemblage; the fragments are
undiagnostic though probably from tea cups or small bowls or saucers. Decoration is varied; one fragment is
decorated with a Chinese style pattern, one with a blue band and one with a floral pattern. A further three
vessels are represented by single fragments, with a green painted leaf design, a moulded painted vessel and
a vessel with an orange banded pattern. The assemblage also contains some fragments of undecorated
Pearlware that possibly form undecorated portions of the Pearlware vessels described here.

Shell‐edged Ware
English potteries produced this decorated pearlware from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Table wares
were decorated with feathered paint strokes around the rim, with further decoration appearing in the form
of scalloped and impressed rims. The assemblage contains rim fragments from a blue‐painted shell‐edged
ware plate and dish.

Transfer Printed Ware
The technique of decorating white earthenware vessels with transfer printing began in 1756 and was later
developed in Liverpool to manufacture fine earthenware vessels with decorations that could be mass
produced. These wares were produced in imitation of imported porcelain and china wares and superseded
the use of tin glazed earthenware by producing a more affordable and durable, widely available version of
both. Transfer printing initially produced single colour items, particularly blue, in imitation of porcelain and
China. The technique developed so that multicoloured items were produced as time went on. The
assemblage contains a single fragment from a blue transfer printed ware willow pattern plate. The Willow
14
pattern was first popularised by Thomas Minton, famous for his Minton Ware, in 1780 and has remained
popular ever since, depicting the tale of star‐crossed lovers (Draper 1984, 48).

Discussion
The majority of the pottery assemblage from Clougharevaun Castle is post medieval, dating to the 18th‐early
20th century. The post medieval pottery is typical of a household in this period consisting largely of Irish and
English pottery types and forms associated with food storage and preparation, dining and other household
tasks. It is likely that the pottery assemblage was dumped as refuse into the pits and mixed into the topsoil
of agricultural land to break up the soil. The post medieval pottery from Clougharevaun is similar in date
and type to the assemblages from excavations at an estate tenant’s cottage and yard in Moyode (Doyle 2007 ‐
a), at a Cashel at Farranablake East, County Galway (Doyle 2007‐b) and during excavations at a courtyard in
Deerpark, County Galway (Doyle 2007‐c).

The assemblage also contains a single fragment from a medieval fine ware jug that was possibly
manufactured nearby. Similar locally made fine medieval wares have been found on Irish sites such as
Dublin (Papazian 1989) (McCutcheon 1006) and Drogheda (Doyle 2004) and are dated to the 13th14th Century.
A variety of fabrics representing local medieval wares were identified during analysis of the pottery from
excavations in Galway city (McCutcheon 2004, 374), the fragment of fine ware is possibly a local medieval
type manufactured in the surrounding area. A similar fragment of medieval Irish fine ware was found at
Farranablake East, County Galway also (Doyle –b).
Table 2 ‐ Pottery from contexts at Clougharevaun Castle
Licence Feature Context Type of Pottery

Number Number description
topsoil area Irish medieval fine ware, Unglazed red earthenware,
E2056 5000 H pearlware, creamware, shell‐edged ware
subsoil area Unglazed red earthenware, pearlware, creamware, transfer
E2056 5002 H printed ware, shell‐edged ware, stoneware

Area I

One lithic was recovered from layer (4004) and was a tertiary fragment of a black chert bipolar core. It was
not a diagnostic piece and probably residual within the topsoil. In addition to the assemblage recovered
from Area H, the lack of blade blanks suggests a later prehistoric date. It may be that the lithics in area H & I
are contemporary with the burnt mound of area C or may indicate a larger Bronze Age society in the locality
(Ballin 2006).

The earthworks in area I are likely to have been flood defences, possibly for the previous river crossing in the
area. They appeared to have been truncated by the construction of the modern road although they may be
related to the previous construction of the road at the position it crosses the river. Examination of the
available interior of the banks revealed no archaeological features.

References

Ballin, T.B. 2002: Later Bronze Age Flint Technology: A presentation and discussion of post‐barrow debitage
from monuments in the Raunds area, Northamptonshire. Lithics 23, 3‐28.

Ballin, T.B. 2005: The lithic assemblage from Rathdown, Rathdown Upper, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Lithic
Research, unpublished report.

15
Ballin, T.B. 2006: The lithic assemblage from Midross, Loch Lomond, Argyll. Lithic Research, unpublished report.

Ballin, T.B., Johnson, M. 2007: A Mesolithic Chert Assemblage from Glentaggart, South Lanarkshire,
Scotland: Chert Technology and Procurement Strategies. Lithics 26.

Ballin, T.B. forthcoming: The British Late Neolithic ‘Levalloisian’, and other operational schemas from the
later prehistoric period. A discussion based on finds from the Stoneyhill Project, Aberdeenshire. Proceedings
of Conference held by the British Neolithic Studies Group, at the British Museum 2005.

Brindley, A. & Lanting, J. 1990. The dating of fulacht fiadh. In Buckley, V. [ed] Burnt Offerings, 55‐56.
Wordwell: Dublin.

Doyle, N. 2007a. Pottery from Farranablake East, County Galway. In Janes, T. N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme,
Contract 2. Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site A024/4, a Cashel in the townland of Farranablake
East, Co. Galway. Headland Archaeology

Doyle, N. 2007b. Pottery from Moyode, County Galway. In Janes, T. N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract
2. Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site A024/11, an estate tenant’s cottage and yard in the townland of
Moyode, Co. Galway. Headland Archaeology

Doyle, N. 2007c. Pottery from Deerpark, County Galway. In Lalonde, D. N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme,
Contract 2. Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site A024/18, a post medieval yard and associated features
in the townland of Deerpark, Co. Galway. Headland Archaeology

Doyle. 2004. An Analysis of Drogheda Ware and its origins. UCC. Unpublished MA thesis.
Doyle, N. 2007. Pottery report from Clogharevaun, County Galway. Unpublished report by Margaret Gowen &
Co. Ltd. for Headland Archaeology Ltd.

Draper, J. 1984. Post‐medieval Pottery 1650‐1800. Shire Publications Limited. UK

Lyons, S. 2006. E2056 Soil sample assessment, Clogharevaun, Co. Galway. Unpublished report for Headland
Archaeology Ltd.

McCutcheon. 2004. Pottery of the high medieval period. Archaeological Investigations in Galway City, 1987‐
1998. Wordwell. Spain.

McCutcheon 2006. Medieval pottery from Wood Quay, Dublin: The 1974‐6 Waterfront Excavations. Royal Irish
Academy. Dublin

Meenan, R. and McCutcheon, C. 1997. Post Medieval Pottery. In Late Viking Age and Medieval Waterford.
Excavations 1986‐1992. Waterford Corporation.

Nolan, J. P. 1901. Galway Castles and Owners. Galway Archaeological And Historical Society. 1: 109‐123.
O’Neill J, 2000. Just another Fulachta Fiadh story. Archaeology Ireland, Vol. 14 No. 2

Papazian, C. 1989. The medieval pottery from the Dublin castle excavations. UCC. Unpublished MA thesis.

Pitts, M.W., & Jacobi, R.M. 1979: Some Aspects of Change in Flaked Stone Industries of the Mesolithic and
Neolithic in Southern Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science 6, 163‐177.

16
Richardson, A. 2006b. In Cream Ware. St Mary’s Department of Anthropology. [Internet] Department of
Anthropology, St Mary’s University, Nova Scotia. Available from:
http://www.stmarys.ca/academic/arts/anthropology/sdavis/ceramics/cream.htm (Assessed 19‐12‐06)

Sevastopulo, G.D., & Wyse Jackson, P.N. 2001: Carboniferous (Dinantian). In C.H. Holland (ed.): The Geology
of Ireland, 241‐288. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press.

Wilkins, B. 2006: N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2. Preliminary report on archaeological investigations at
Site A024/019, a burnt mound and medieval/post‐medieval field system in the Townland of Clogharevaun, Co. Galway.
Headland Archaeology Ltd., unpublished report.

Woodman, P.C. 1987: The Impact of Resource Availability on Lithic Industrial Traditions in Prehistoric
Ireland. In P. Rowley‐Conwy, M. Zvelebil and H.P. Blankholm (eds.): Mesolithic northwest Europe: recent
trends, 138‐146. Sheffield: Department of Archaeology and Prehistory, University of Sheffield.

17

5 Archive

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:
Item B C F G H I Total
Context sheets 5 3 13 9 66 16 112
Sample sheets 3 2 0 0 0 0 5
Registers 4 4 2 6 11 4 31
Photos 24 22 17 47 168 30 308
Plans 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
Sections 4 9 0 13 0 4 30

The archive material is contained within one box.

Storage of the archive in a suitable format and location is required in order to provide for any future
archaeological research. The archive is currently stored in the offices of Headland Archaeology, Unit 1,
Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork. It is proposed that following completion of post‐excavation
the archive is deposited with Galway County Council Archives.
18
= CPO
Athenry
E2056
Galway
Reproduced from 2002 Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1:50,000 Discovery Series no 46,
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
B G
I
C
0 250 m
Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun

E2056 Location of excavation areas
Reproduced from 1933 Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Second Edition, Six Inch to One Mile map, Galway Sheet 97
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
= CPO
= Excavated Area
B G
I
C
0 250 m
Figure 2 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

Location of excavation areas and RMP extract
H
G
B
0 125 m
Figure 3 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056 Topographical Survey
H
G
B
0 125 m
Figure 4 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056 Aerial Photograph showing topographical features and areas
N
0 25 m

Location of test pits in Area H
Area C
Area C
1004
N
0 500 m
1004 1004
1003
1004
0 5m

Site plan of burnt mound 1004, Area C
SW NE
Area C
1004
1003
0 500 m
1003
= Location of sections
(triangles point to face of section)
0 1m
Figure 7- N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

Plan and section of trough 1003, Area C
East and West facing sections through bank in trench 1
3000 N
S
3001
Test trench backfill
Test trench backfill 3006
E 3000 W
3001
Test trench backfill
3006 Test trench
backfill
S 3000 N
3001 Backfill of
Evaluation
Backfill of
Evaluation
3000
N S
3001
Backfill of
Evaluation
3007 Backfill of Evaluation
3005
3003
3000
S N
3001
Backfill of
Evaluation
3007 3006
3000
N S
3001
3007
3006 Backfill of
Evaluation
Figure 8 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2:

0 1.5 m
Clogharevaun E2056 Sections through banks, trench 1, 2 and 4, Area G
Plate 1 - Pre-excavation of trough 1003, Area C
Plate 2 - North facing section of trough 1003, Area C

Plate 3 - Post-excavation of trough 1003, Area C
Plate 4 - Southeast facing section of 1002, with trough 1003 in foreground, Area C
Plate 5 - West facing section of Trench 2, Area G
Plate 6 - Working shot with castle in background, Area G

Plate 7 - East facing section of Trench 5, Area G
Plate 8 - West facing section of pit 3008, Area G

Plate 9 - Test pit 43, Area H
Plate 10 - Test pit 48 and 49, Area H

Plate 11 - Test pit 57 and 60, Area H
Plate 12 - Test pit 9, Area H

Plate 13 - West facing section of Trench 1, Area B
Plate 14 - Test pit 5, Area F
Plate 15 - Test pit 5, Area F

Plate 16 - Southwest facing section of Slot 2, Area I
Appendix 1: Context Registers by Area

Area B

Context Area Type Description Interpretation
Number
2000 2.20/B Deposit Topsoil, D 0.06m‐0.40m with average of 0.20m. Topsoil.
Brown sandy silt, <5% small and medium sub‐
rounded stones, loose compaction.
2001 2.20/B Deposit Subsoil, D 0.30m at bank, D 0.10m either side Subsoil below
of bank. topsoil.
Grey‐brown sandy silt, <10% small and
medium sub‐rounded stones, moderate
compaction.
2002 2.20/B Deposit White/cream/grey clayey silt, <30% small, Natural.
medium, large & very large stones, very firm
compaction.
2003 2.20/B Deposit Subsoil, D 0.10m‐0.30m. Subsoil above
Pale yellow‐brown clayey silt, rare small and natural.
medium sub‐rounded stones, very firm
compaction.
2004 2.20/B Deposit Dark blue‐grey gritty sand, no inclusions, firm Natural.
compaction.

Area C

number
1000 2.20/C Deposit Topsoil. Topsoil.
1001 2.20/C Deposit Natural. Natural.
1002 2.20/C Deposit L 12m, W 11m, D 0.20m. Burnt mound
Sub‐circular in plan, dark grey‐black silt, 50% material.
burnt stones, <10% unburnt stones, charcoal rich,
firm compaction.
1003 2.20/C Cut L (W‐E) 2.8m, W (N‐S) 1.6m, D 0.27m. Trough.
Sub‐rectangular in plan, sloping sides, flat base.
Filled by (1004).
1004 2.20/C Fill Fill of trough [1003]. Fill of trough.
Black‐brown, 50% silt and charcoal, 50% stones,
loose compaction.
1005 2.20/C Deposit Subsoil. Subsoil.

Area F

Number
6000 2.20/F Deposit Topsoil, D 0.14m. Topsoil.
Dark brown sandy silt.
6001 2.20/F Deposit Subsoil, D 0.28m. Subsoil.
Yellow‐brown sandy silt.
19
6002 2.20/F Deposit Stony grey sand. Natural.

Area G

Number
3000 2.20/G Deposit Topsoil, D 0.05m‐015m. Topsoil.
Mid dark brown silty sand, 10% stones, loose
compaction.
3001 2.20/G Deposit Subsoil, D 0.10m‐0.30m. Subsoil.
Mid brown sandy silt, 10% stones, occasional
large stones, very rare flecks of charcoal, loose
compaction.
3002 2.20/G Deposit Grey sand, <50% stones, firm compaction. Natural.
3003 2.20/G Cut Dia 0.35m, D 0.10m. Tree bole.
Irregular circular in plan, irregular sloping sides,
concave base.
3004 2.20/G Cancelled
3005 2.20/G Fill Fill of tree bole [3003]. Fill of tree bole.
Grey‐brown sand, <30% stones, loose
compaction.
3006 2.20/G Deposit Deposit below the bank in trenches 1, 4 & 6. Deposit below
Thickness 0.10m. bank. Probably
Dark brown sandy silt, some stones, loose naturally
compaction. occurring.
3007 2.20/G Deposit Deposit below bank in most trenches. Thickness Deposit below
0.05m‐0.15m. bank. Possible
Yellow‐brown sandy‐clayey silt with, rare prehistoric soil
stones, firm compaction. horizon.
3008 2.20/G Cut L 1m, W 0.80m, D 0.10m. Pit.
Sub‐circular in plan, steep sides, irregular flat
base. Filled by (3009).
3009 2.20/G Fill Fill of pit [3008]. Fill of pit.
Black silt (basically powdered charcoal), 10%
burnt stones, loose compaction.

Area H

Number
5000 2.20/H Deposit Topsoil, D 0.15m. Topsoil.
Mid‐brown silty clay with some sandy variation,
rare stones, loose compaction.
5001 2.20/H Deposit Grey clayey sandy gravel, very stony, loose to Natural.
moderate compaction.
5002 2.20/H Deposit Subsoil, D 0.20m‐0.50m average of 0.30m. Subsoil.
Mid to light yellow brown stony sandy silt,
frequent stones, loose compaction.
5003 2.20/H Deposit Dark yellow to dark orange‐brown clayey silt, Natural.
<1% stones, loose compaction.
20
5004 2.20/H Cut Dia at least 1.2m. Pit.

Unknown shape in plan, sloping sides, flat base.
Filled by (5005).
5005 2.20/H Fill Fill of pit [5004]. Fill of pit.
Dark red‐brown silty clay, shattered stones,
animal tooth, loose to moderate compaction.
5006 2.20/H Deposit Subsoil, Thickness 0.25m. Lower subsoil.
Mid brown‐orange sandy silt, some charcoal,
occasional stones, soft compaction.
5007 2.20/H Deposit White‐grey clayey silt, no inclusions, firm Alluvial deposit.
compaction.

Area I

Number
4000 2.20/I Deposit Topsoil, D 0.05m‐0.15m. Topsoil.
Mid to dark brown silty sand, occasional stones,
loose compaction.
4001 2.20/I Deposit Subsoil, D 0.15m‐0.40m. Subsoil.
Mid brown silty sand, <5% stones, loose
compaction.
4002 2.20/I Deposit Grey sand, 50% stones, very firm compaction. Natural.
4003 2.20/I Deposit Subsoil, D 0.30m. Subsoil.
Blue‐grey sandy silt, rare stones, firm
compaction.
4004 2.20/I Deposit Subsoil, D 0.10m‐0.25m. Subsoil.
Yellow sandy silt, <5% stones, firm compaction.
4005 2.20/I Cut W 1m‐1.20m, D 0.25m‐0.40m. Small ditch
Linear in plan, shallow sides, concave base. between banks.
Filled by (4006), (4007).
4006 2.20/I Fill Primary fill of small ditch [4005]. Fill of ditch.
Thickness 0.30m.
Mid grey‐brown sand silt (50/50), no inclusions,
firm compaction.
4007 2.20/I Fill Secondary fill of small ditch [4005]. Fill of ditch.
Thickness 0.10m.
Mid brown silty sand, no inclusions, loose
compaction.
4008 2.20/I Deposit Same as (4001) but specifically subsoil of the Same as (4001).
bank.
4009 2.20/I Deposit Subsoil, D 0.20m. Subsoil.
Blue‐grey sandy silt, rare stones, firm
compaction. Similar to (4003).
4010 2.20/I Cancelled.
4011 2.20/I Deposit Same as (4006). Same as (4006).
4012 2.20/I Cut W 1m, D 0.30m. Small ditch outside
Linear in plan, shallow sides, concave base. bank.
Filled by (4013), (4014).
4013 2.20/I Deposit Primary fill of small ditch [4012]. Fill of ditch.
Thickness 0.15m.
21
Pale grey silty sand, 10% pea‐grit, 10% stones,
firm compaction.
4014 2.20/I Deposit Secondary fill of small ditch [4012]. Fill of ditch.
Thickness 0.20m.
Dark grey‐brown silt, rare stones, loose
compaction.

22
Appendix 2: Finds Registers by Area

Area G

Excavation Context Find Material Type Identification Description Habitat Quantity
No. No. No.
NGB 05 3001 1 Fe Slag 600 X 400 Headland 1
2.20/G mm
NGB 05 3001 2 Clay Pipe 400mm pipe Headland 1
2.20/G stem

Area H

NMI No. TP Material Type Description Habitat Quantity
no.
E2056:H:50 4 Mixed 4 modern ceramics, 1 small piece Headland 5
00:001 of worked chert.
E2056:H:50 4 Mixed 1 Fe nail, 1 Fe pin, 1 clay pipe Headland 6
02:001 bowl fragment, 1 bone, 1
modern ceramic, 1 medieval
ceramic.
E2056:H:50 1 Mixed 3 modern ceramics, 1 clay pipe Headland 4
00:002 stem.
E2056:H:50 1 Mixed 4 modern ceramics, 2 medieval Headland 18
02:002 ceramics, 1 Fe nail, 1 oyster,
burnt bone.
E2056:H:50 2 Mixed 2 lumps of mortar, 1 glass, 1 Headland 8
02:003 modern ceramic, 1 interesting
medieval ceramic leg, 1 tooth, 1
Fe curved nail, 1 bone.
E2056:H:50 6 Clay Pottery 1 modern white glazed ceramic, Headland 2
02:004 1 fragment of red ceramic.
E2056:H:50 6 Stone Chert 1 possibly worked chert. Headland 1
00:003
E2056:H:50 6 Faunal Tooth 1 animal tooth found in [5004] Headland 1
05:001 remains within TP6.
E2056:H:50 9 Clay Pottery Post‐med ceramic. Headland MISSING
02:005
E2056:H:50 7 Mixed 2 claws, 1 clay pipe, medieval Headland 21
00:004 ceramics.
E2056:H:50 7 Mixed 1 medieval ceramic, 1 tooth, Fe, Headland 9
02:006 oyster.
E2056:H:50 11 Mixed Post‐med ceramic, bone. Headland 9
02:007
E2056:H:50 5 Clay Pipe 1 clay pipe stem. Headland 1
02:008
02:009
E2056:H:50 10 Mixed 1 clay pipe stem, 1 tooth. Headland 2
02:010

23
E2056:H:50 3 Mixed 1 burnt clay pipe bowl fragment, Headland 10

02:011 1 modern ceramic, 1 tooth
(human?), burnt bone, oyster.
E2056:H:50 13 Faunal Tooth 1 animal tooth. Headland 1
02:012 remains
E2056:H:50 18 Mixed Modern ceramic, shell. Headland 11
02:013
E2056:H:50 17 Clay Pipe 3 fragments of clay pipe. Headland 3
02:014
E2056:H:50 16 Mixed 5 ceramics, 1 thin glass, 1 short Headland 7
00:005 Fe nail.
E2056:H:50 16 Clay Pottery 1 modern ceramic. Headland 1
02:015
E2056:H:50 6 Faunal Tooth 1 animal tooth. Headland 1
02:016 ext. remains
E2056:H:50 21 Clay Pottery 2 medieval ceramics. Headland 2
00:006
E2056:H:50 23 Clay Pottery 1 medieval ceramic. Headland 1
02:017
E2056:H:50 25 Mixed Animal tooth, medieval ceramic, Headland 7
00:007 bone, oyster.
E2056:H:50 25 Faunal 2 bones. Headland 2
02:018 remains
E2056:H:50 32 Mixed 2 clay pipes, 2 cherts, 2 lumps of Headland 12
02:019 mortar, 1 glass, 1 Fe nail,
modern ceramics.
E2056:H:50 31 Faunal Tooth 2 teeth. Headland 2
02:020 remains
E2056:H:50 38 Mixed Animal tooth, bone, ceramic. Headland 11
02:021
E2056:H:50 33 Mixed 1 ceramic, 1 tooth, shell. Headland 9
02:022
E2056:H:50 37 Mixed 3 modern ceramics, 1 burnt clay Headland 4
02:023 pipe stem, 1 tooth.
E2056:H:50 34 Mixed 3 ceramics, 1 glass, 1 oyster, 1 Headland 6
02:024 bone.
E2056:H:50 40 Faunal Animal tooth, bone. Headland 6
02:025 remains
E2056:H:50 41 Mixed 2 modern ceramics, 1 tooth. Headland 3
00:008
E2056:H:50 42 Mixed 1 modern ceramic, shell, bone. Headland 13
02:026
E2056:H:50 43 Mixed 2 oysters, 1 clay pipe stem, 1 Fe Headland 5
02:027 nail, 1 modern ceramic.
E2056:H:50 45 Mixed 1 burnt bone, shell. Headland 3
02:028
E2056:H:50 47 Mixed Bone, burnt bone. Headland 5
02:029
E2056:H:50 50 Mixed 3 bones, 1 tooth, 1 Fe. Headland 5
02:030
E2056:H:50 52 Mixed 1 modern ceramic, 1 clay pipe Headland 2
24
02:031 stem.
E2056:H:50 54 Mixed 3 bones, 1 modern ceramic. Headland 4
02:032
E2056:H:50 55 Clay Pottery 1 medieval ceramic. Headland 1
00:009
E2056:H:50 57 Metal Fe 2 Fe nails, 1 chunky Fe strap. Headland 3
02:033
E2056:H:50 58 Mixed 2 Fe nails, ceramics. Headland 11
02:034
02:035
E2056:H:50 36 Mixed Clay pipe, ceramic. Headland 2
00:010

Area I

Excavation Context Find Material Type Identification Description Habitat Quantity
No. No. No.
NGB 05 4004 1 Chert Worked chert Small scraper Headland 1
2.20/I
NGB 05 4001 1 Bone Tooth Cow tooth Cow tooth Headland 1
2.20/I
NGB 05 4001 2 Fe Wire? Hook shape Headland 1
2.20/I 50 mm long

25
Appendix 3: Sample Registers by Area

Area B

Sample Context Amount Description
number number
1 2001 10L Subsoil from bank, slot 1
2 2001 10L Subsoil from bank, slot 5
3 2003 Charcoal from (2003) interface with natural

Area C

number number
1 (1004) 20L Fill of trough [1003]
2 (1002) 20L Burnt spread material

Area G

number number
1 3009 20L Black loose silt and charcoal <10% small and
medium sub‐angular stones

Area H
Sample number Context number Amount Description
1 (Bone) 5002 1 bag Partial lamb
skeleton

Sample number Context number Amount Description
1 (Soil) 5006 1 bag Charcoal

26
Appendix 4: Photography Registers by Area

Area B

Photo Direction Description Initials/date
number facing
70 West Working shot S.C. 10.04.06.
71 West Trench 2 (2000), (2001), (2002) & (2003) S.C. 10.04.06.
72 West Trench 2 (2000), (2001), (2002) & (2003) S.C. 10.04.06.
73 West Trench 2 (2000), (2001), (2002) & (2003) S.C. 10.04.06.
74 West Trench 2 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
75 East Trench 1 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
76 East Trench 1 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
77 East Trench 1 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
78 East Trench 1 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
79 East Trench 3 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
80 West Trench 3 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
81 West Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
82 West Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
83 West Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
84 West Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
85 West Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
86 East Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
87 East Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
88 East Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
89 East Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
90 East Trench 4 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
91 West Trench 5 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
92 West Trench 5 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
93 West Trench 5 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.
94 West Trench 5 (2000), (2001), (2002), (2003) & (2004) S.C. 10.04.06.

Area C

number facing
48 East Pre‐excavation shot of trough [1003] N.K. 04.04.06
49 North‐east Mound, west quadrant B.C. 04.04.06
50 South‐east Mound, north quadrant L.C. 04.04.06
51 South‐west Mound, north quadrant L.C. 04.04.06
52 South‐west Mound, north quadrant L.C. 04.04.06
53 South Trough [1003] N.K. 04.04.06
54 South Working shot B.C. 04.04.06
55 North Working shot A.B. 04.04.06
56 North‐west Mound, east quadrant L.C. 04.04.06
57 South‐west Mound, north‐east quadrant S.C. 06.04.06
58 North‐east Mound, south‐east quadrant S.C. 06.04.06
59 North‐west Mound, south‐east quadrant S.C. 06.04.06
60 south‐east Mound south‐west quadrant S.C. 06.04.06
61 North‐east Post‐excavation shot of trough [1003] N.K. 06.04.06
27
62 South‐west Post‐excavation shot of trough [1003] N.K. 06.04.06

63 South Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
64 South‐east Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
65 South‐east Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
66 South Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
67 North Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
68 North Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06
69 East Post‐excavation and working shot S.C. 10.04.06

Area F

number facing
148 South North section of test‐pit 1 C.C. 28.04.06
149 West East section of test‐pit 1 C.C. 28.04.06
150 East West section of test‐pit 1 C.C. 28.04.06

44 West East facing section and test‐pit 3 S.C. 05.05.06
45 West East facing section and test‐pit 4 S.C. 05.05.06
46 West East facing section of test‐pit 2 C.C. 05.05.06.
47 South‐east North‐west facing section of test‐pit 5 N.K. 05.05.06
48 Vertical Test‐pit 5 N.K. 05.05.06
49 South North facing section of test‐pit 6 N.K. 05.05.06
51 North Test‐pit 9 M.H. 05.05.06
52 South Test‐pit 8 M.H. 05.05.06
53 East Test‐pit 10 S.C. 05.05.06.
54 South‐east North‐west facing section of test‐pit 7 N.K. 05.05.06.
55 Vertical Test‐pit 7 N.K. 05.05.06.
56 South North‐east facing section of test‐pit 11 C.C. 05.05.06.
57 South Test‐pit 12 M.H. 05.05.06.

Area G

number facing
95 East Trench 1 right B.C. 12.04.06
98 East Trench 1 left B.C. 12.04.06
99 East Trench 2 left S.C. 12.04.06
100 East Trench 2 left S.C. 12.04.06
101 East Trench 2 right S.C. 12.04.06
102 West Trench 2 left S.C. 12.04.06
103 West Trench left S.C. 12.04.06
104 West Trench 2 right S.C. 12.04.06
105 West Trench 1 left B.C. 12.04.06
28
108 West Trench 1 right B.C. 12.04.06

109 North‐east Working shot B.C. 12.04.06
110 North‐east Working shot B.C. 12.04.06
130 Working shot S.C. 14.04.06
131 Working shot S.C. 14.04.06
132 East Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
133 East Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
134 East Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
135 East Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
136 East Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
137 West Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
138 West Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
139 West Trench 5 S.C. 14.04.06
140 East Burnt pit in trench 3 S.C. 14.04.06
141 East Burnt pit in trench 3 L.C. 14.04.06

Area H

number facing
19 South Test‐pit 3 spit 1 A.B. 20.04.06
20 West Test‐pit 3 spit 1 A.B. 20.04.06
21 Area 2.20/I S.C. 20.04.06
22 Area 2.20/I S.C. 20.04.06
23 South Section of test‐pit 1 N.K. 20.04.06.
25 South‐east Test‐pit 1 N.K. 20.04.06.
26 North Test‐pit 2 mid‐excavation S.O’D. 20.04.06.
27 West Test‐pit 2 mid‐excavation S.O’D. 20.04.06.
28 North Test‐pit 2 mid‐excavation S.O’D. 20.04.06.
29 West Post‐excavation of test‐pit 2 S.O’D. 20.04.06.
29
30 Vertical Post‐excavation of test‐pit 2 S.O’D. 20.04.06.

31 South Working shot S.O’D. 21.04.06.
32 East Post‐excavation of test‐pit 5 L.C. 21.04.06
33 South Post‐excavation of test‐pit 5 L.C. 21.04.06
34 North Post‐excavation of test‐pit 5 L.C. 21.04.06
35 West Post‐excavation of test‐pit 5 L.C. 21.04.06
37 South‐east North‐west facing section of test‐pit 4 B.C. 21.04.06.
38 South‐west North‐east facing section of test‐pit 4 B.C. 21.04.06.
39 North‐west South‐east facing section of test‐pit 4 B.C. 21.04.06.
40 North‐west South‐west facing section of test‐pit 4 B.C. 21.04.06.
41 South Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, shadow not good A.B. 21.04.06.
42 South Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, shadow not good A.B. 21.04.06.
43 West Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, not good shadow A.B. 21.04.06.
44 East Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, not good shadow A.B. 21.04.06.
45 North Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, OK shadow A.B. 21.04.06.
46 West Post‐excavation test‐pit 6, bad shadow A.B. 21.04.06.
47 West East facing section of test‐pit 6 A.B. 21.04.06.
49 South View of test‐pit 9 from the north N.K. 21.04.06
50 South‐west North‐east facing section of test‐pit 9 N.K. 21.04.06
51 North South facing section of test‐pit 7 C.C. 21.04.06.
52 East West facing section of test‐pit 7 C.C. 21.04.06.
53 South North facing section of test‐pit 7 C.C. 21.04.06.
54 West East facing section of test‐pit 7 C.C. 21.04.06.
55 North‐east Post‐excavation of test‐pit 11 J.W. 21.04.06.
56 North‐west Post‐excavation of test‐pit 11 J.W. 21.04.06.
57 South‐west Post‐excavation of test‐pit 11 J.W. 21.04.06.
58 South‐east Post‐excavation of test‐pit 11 J.W. 21.04.06.
59 Post‐excavation of test‐pit 8 J.W. 21.04.06.
60 South‐east Post‐excavation of test‐pit 10 L.C. 24.04.06
61 South‐east Post‐excavation of test‐pit 10 L.C. 24.04.06
62 North‐east Post‐excavation of test‐pit 10 L.C. 24.04.06
63 North‐west Post‐excavation of test‐pit 10 L.C. 24.04.06
64 South‐west Post‐excavation of test‐pit 10 L.C. 24.04.06
65 North South facing section of test‐pit 14 S.C. 24.04.06
66 No description in register
67 Test‐pit 13 M.H. 24.04.06
68 East West facing section of test‐pit 13 M.H. 24.04.06
69 West East facing section of test‐pit 13 M.H. 24.04.06
70 North South facing section of test‐pit 13 M.H. 24.04.06
73 West View of test‐pit 12 from the north‐east N.K. 25.04.06
75 West West facing section of test‐pit 18 M.H. 25.04.06
76 Vertical Test‐pit 17 R.C. 25.04.06.
77 West East facing section of test‐pit 17 R.C. 25.04.06.
78 North‐east View of test‐pit 17 from the south‐west R.C. 25.04.06.
79 North Post‐excavation of test‐pit 3 L.C. 25.04.06
80 South Post‐excavation of test‐pit 3 L.C. 25.04.06
30

82 East Post‐excavation of test‐pit 3 L.C. 25.04.06
83 North South facing section of test‐pit 15 J.W. 25.04.06
84 West East facing section of test‐pit 15 J.W. 25.04.06
85 South North facing section of test‐pit 15 J.W. 25.04.06
86 East West facing section of test‐pit 15 J.W. 25.04.06
87 North South facing section of test‐pit 16 C.C. 25.04.06
88 West East facing section of test‐pit 16 C.C. 25.04.06
89 East West facing section of test‐pit 16 C.C. 25.04.06
90 South North facing section of test‐pit 16 C.C. 25.04.06
91 South Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots A.B. 26.04.06
93 East Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots A.B. 26.04.06
94 West Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots A.B. 26.04.06
96 Vertical Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, base A.B. 26.04.06
97 North Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, south facing section A.B. 26.04.06
98 South Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, north facing section A.B. 26.04.06
99 East Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, west facing section A.B. 26.04.06
100 West Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, east facing section A.B. 26.04.06
101 Vertical Test‐pit 6 & extension post‐ex shots, stone socket in base A.B. 26.04.06
108 North South facing section of test‐pit 23 B.C. 26.04.06
109 East West facing section of test‐pit 23 B.C. 26.04.06
110 South North facing section of test‐pit 23 B.C. 26.04.06
111 West East facing section of test‐pit 23 B.C. 26.04.06
112 West Articulated lamb skeleton in test‐pit 21 L.C. 26.04.06
113 West Articulated lamb skeleton I test‐pit 21 L.C. 26.04.06
116 North South facing section of test‐pit 25 C.C. 27.04.06
118 West East facing section of test‐pit 24 S.C. 27.04.06
120 East East facing section of test‐pit 22 M.H. 27.04.06
121 West West facing section of test‐pit 22 M.H. 27.04.06
122 South North facing section of test‐pit 30 M.H. 27.04.06
126 West Test‐pit 21 L.C. 27.04.06
127 South Test‐pit 21 L.C. 27.04.06
128 North Test‐pit 21 L.C. 27.04.06
129 East Test‐pit 21 L.C. 27.04.06
31
132 North South facing section of test‐pit 28 B.C. 27.04.06

133 East West facing section of test‐pit 28 B.C. 27.04.06
134 South North facing section of test‐pit 28 B.C. 27.04.06
135 West East facing section of test‐pit 28 B.C. 27.04.06
136 East Test‐pit 29 R.C. 27.04.06
137 West East facing section of test‐pit 29 R.C. 27.04.06
138 South North facing section of test‐pit 29 R.C. 27.04.06

1 West Test‐pit 27 A.B. 27.04.06
2 Vertical Base of test‐pit 27 A.B. 27.04.06
3 South North facing section of test‐pit 27 A.B. 27.04.06
4 2.20/F
5 Test‐pit 31 S.O’D. 28.04.06
7 Test‐pit 34 C.C. 28.04.06
9 Test‐pit 31 B.C. 28.04.06
10 North South facing section of test‐pit 38 S.C. 28.04.06
13 No description in register S.C. 28.04.06
14 Test‐pit 37 R.C. 28.04.06
15 Test‐pit 39 M.H. 02.05.06.
16 Test‐pit 41 L.C. 02.05.06
17 North South facing section of test‐pit 40 D.R. 02.05.06.
18 North South facing section of test‐pit 40 D.R. 02.05.06
20 East Test‐pit 43 from the west N.K. 02.05.06.
21 North‐east South‐west facing section of test‐pit 43 N.K. 02.05.06.
22 Test‐pit 44 R.C. 03.05.06.
24 North South facing section of test‐pit 45 M.H. 03.05.06
26 South Test‐pit 46 R.C. 03.05.06
28 Test‐pit 50 M.H. 03.05.06
29 Test‐pit 54 R.C. 03.05.06.
30 South North facing section of test‐pit 53 D.R. 04.05.06
31 South North facing section of test‐pit 53 D.R. 04.05.06.
32 South Test‐pit 52 L.C. 04.05.06
33 Test‐pits 48 & 49 N.K. 04.05.06.
34 Test‐pits 48 & 49 N.K. 04.05.06.
35 Test‐pits 48 & 49 N.K. 04.05.06.
36 Test‐pit 56 N.K. 04.05.06.
37 Test‐pit 56 N.K. 04.05.06.
39 South‐east Test‐pit 57 A.B. 05.05.06
40 North‐west Test‐pit 57 A.B. 05.05.06
41 Vertical Test‐pit 57 A.B. 05.05.06
42 North Test‐pit 58 R.C. 05.05.06
32
43 West Test‐pit 59 L.C. 05.05.06

44 2.20/F
45 2.20/F
46 2.20/F
47 2.20/F
48 2.20/F
49 2.20/F
50 2.20/F
51 2.20/F
52 2.20/F
53 2.20/F
54 2.20/F
55 2.20/F
56 2.20/F
57 2.20/F
58 East Test‐pits 57 & 60 A.B. 05.05.06
59 East Test‐pits 57 & 60 A.B. 05.05.06
60 East Test‐pits 57 & 60 A.B. 05.05.06
61 West Test‐pits 57 & 60 A.B. 05.05.06
62 North Test‐pits 57 & 60 A.B. 05.05.06

Area I

number facing
142 North Slot 2 east end N.K. 19.04.06
145 North Slot 2 west end N.K. 19.04.06
146 South Slot 2 west end N.K. 19.04.06
149 South Slot 2 east end N.K. 19.04.06

1 South‐west Slot 1 south‐east end A.B. 19.04.06
5 South‐west Slot 1 north‐west end A.B. 19.04.06
6 North‐east Slot 1 north‐west end A.B. 19.04.06
10 North‐east Slot 1 south‐east end A.B. 19.04.06
11 North‐west Slot 3 south‐west end S.C. 20.04.06
14 North‐west Slot 3 north‐east end S.C. 20.04.06
15 South‐east Sot 3 north‐west end S.C. 20.04.06
16 South‐east Slot 3 north‐west end S.C. 20.04.06
17 South‐east Slot 3 north‐west end S.C. 20.04.06
33
18 South‐east Slot 3 south‐east end S.C. 20.04.06

19 2.20/H
20 2.20/H
21 North Box to east above banks and ditches S.C. 20.04.06
22 West Box to east above banks and ditches S.C. 20.04.06

34
Appendix 5: Drawing Registers by Area

Area B

Drawing Drawing Description Scale Initials/date
number type
1 Section Slot 2 1:20 S.C. 10.04.06
2 Section Slot 1 1:20 S.C. 10.04.06
3 Section Slot 5 1:20 L.C. 10.04.06
4 Section Slot 4 1:20 L.C. 10.04.06

Area C

number type
1 Section Trough (1002) 1:10 N.K. 04.04.06
2 Section Trough (1002) north quadrant 1:20 L.C. 04.04.06
3 Section Trough(1002) north quadrant 1:20 L.C. 04.04.06
4 Section Trough (1002) east quadrant 1:20 L.C. 04.04.06
5 Section Trough (1002) east quadrant 1:20 J.W. 05.04.06
6 Section Trough (1002) west quadrant 1:20 J.W. 05.04.06
7 Section Trough (1002) west quadrant 1:20 J.W. 05.04.06
8 Plan Post‐excavation plan of trough [1003] 1:20 N.K. 06.04.06
9 Section Trough (1002) south quadrant 1:20 J.W. 06.04.06
10 Section Trough (1002) south quadrant 1:20 J.W. 06.04.06

Area G

number type
1 Section Trench 2 across the bank 1:20 S.C. 13.04.06
2 Section Trench 2 across the bank 1:20 S.C. 13.04.06
3 Section Trench 1 across the bank 1:20 B.C. 13.04.06
4 Section Trench 1 across the bank 1:20 B.C. 13.04.06
5 Section Trench 3 across the bank 1:20 L.C. 13.04.06
9 Section Trench 4 across the bank 1:20 C.C. 14.04.06
10 Section Trench 4 across the bank 1:20 C.C. 14.04.06
11 Section Trench 6 1:20 S.C. 14.04.06
12 Section Trench 6 1:20 S.C. 14.04.06
13 Section Burnt pit in trench 3 1:10 S.C. 14.04.06
14 Plan Post‐excavation plan of burnt pit in trench 3 1:20 L.C. 14.04.06

Area I
number type
1 Section Slot 2 – south facing 1:20 N.K. 19.04.06
2 Section Slot 2 – north facing 1:20 N.K. 19.04.06
3 Section Slot 1 – southwest facing 1:20 L.C. 20.04.06
35
4 Section Slot 3 – southeast facing 1:20 S.C. 20.04.06
36

Appendix 7: Environmental Assessment Report

Site code NGB05 Site name N6 Galway‐Ballinasloe: Clogharevaun A024/19 [E2056]
Author/s Susan Lyons Soil Sample Assessment

METHODOLOGY FOR SAMPLE ASSESSMENT
Three soil samples were selected for the recovery of palaeobotanical remains and small finds.

Each sample was subjected to a system of flotation in a Siraf style flotation tank. The floating debris (flot)
was collected in a 250 μm sieve and, once dry, scanned using a binocular microscope. Any remaining
material in the flotation tank (retent) was wet‐sieved through a 1mm mesh and air‐dried. This was then
sorted by eye and any material of archaeological significance removed.

An assessment of each sample was made to determine whether it would benefit from any more detailed
analysis. The results from this are presented in Tables 1 and 2.

Total number of samples 3

Results
The botanical remains were preserved by charring in all cases.

Wood charcoal –All samples contained wood charcoal in low to high concentrations. Where a higher
concentration of wood charcoal (+++ and ++++) was recorded, the majority of the charcoal was very
fragmented and survived in very small fibres and filaments. Samples identified with an asterisk (*) in Table 1
contain sufficient quantities of charcoal for obtaining a radiocarbon date.

Mollusca – Low to moderate concentrations of molluscs were recorded from C1002 [burnt mound material]
and C1004 [fill of trough C1003]. It is difficult to ascertain at this assessment stage whether these species
belong to marine or terrestrial varieties of mollusca.

Quartz– Quartz was recovered from just one sample, C1002 [fill of pit/cist C1020]. Since this material was in
such low concentrations, it is impossible to interpret whether this material was purposely place or entered
this feature inadvertently.

Discussion
The soil samples from Clogharevaun contained primarily charcoal fragments and were void of other
botanical indicators of domestic activity. This is a pattern that has been recorded from other fulacht fiadh
sites, such as Carton Demesne, Maynooth (O’Sullivan, 2001) and similar features recorded from the N25
archaeological excavations [Sites 7, 11, 40, 41 and 44] (Lyons, 2004a, 2004b, 2005c, 2005d, 2005e).

The soil samples assessed were largely made up of charcoal fragments which, is typical residual material
from such features, and void of other botanical indicators of settlement or domestic activity. It has been
widely accepted that plant remains, other than charcoal, from fulacht fiadh features and associated burnt
mound activity are extremely rare (O’Neill, 2000).
37

Mollusc shell assemblages can often be found in sediments associated with standing water. However, it is
difficult to ascertain the exact reasoning behind the occurrence of such material in these samples without a
more detailed study taking place.

The soil sample assessment from Clogharevaun contained a relatively low concentration of archaeological
and archaeobotanical material. With the exception of the charcoal reflecting the typical material associated
with a fulacht fiadh, no finds pertaining to any other domestic or occupational activity were recovered.

REFERENCES

Lyons, 2004a ‘Soil Sample Assessment’ in Hegarty L and Long, P 2004 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3:
Preliminary Report on archaeological investigations at Site 7 in the townland of Ballymountain, Co. Kilkenny.
Excavation Licence No.: 04E0331. Headland Archaeology unpublished client report.
‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2004b ‘Soil Sample Assessment’ in Hegarty L. and Long, P. 2004 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3:
Preliminary report on the archaeological investigations at Sites 9‐11 in the Townland of Killaspy, Co. Kilkenny.
‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2005c ‘Soil Sample Assessment’ in Gleeson, C and Breen, G. 2005 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3:
Preliminary Report on archaeological investigations at Site 40 in the townland of Rathpatrick, Co. Kilkenny
‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2005d ‘Soil Sample Assessment’ in Gleeson, C and Breen, G. 2005 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3:
Preliminary Report on archaeological investigations at Site 41 in the townland of Killaspy, Co. Kilkenny Excavation
Licence No.: 04E0770. Headland Archaeology unpublished client report.
‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2005e ‘Soil Sample Assessment’ in Gleeson, C and Breen, G. 2005 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3:
Preliminary Report on archaeological investigations at Site 44 in the townland of Killaspy, Co. Kilkenny. Excavation
Licence No.: 04E0318. Headland Archaeology unpublished client report.
O’Neill, J 2000 ‘Just another fulacht fiadh story’, Archaeology Ireland Vol. 14 No.2
O’Sullivan, E 2001 ‘No. 666 Site 5, Carson Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare’, in I. Bennett (ed) Excavations
Bulletin, Excavations 2001, p198. Wordwell Ltd, Dublin.
38
Clogheravaun (A024/19, E2056)
Table 1. Composition of Retents
Context Sample Retent Wood charcoal

Context/ Sample description Molluscs Quartz Comments
number number vol (L) Qty AMS
1002 0002 2L Burnt mound material in Area C ++++ ++ +
1004 0001 2L Fill of trough [1003] in Area C ++++ ++
2001 0001 1L Subsoil below topsoil in Area B +
Table 2. Composition of Flots
Context Sample Flot vol Wood charcoal

Context/ Sample description Comments
number number (ml) Qty AMS
1002 0002 10 ml Burnt mound material in Area C ++
1004 0001 10 ml Fill of trough [1003] in Area C +
2001 0001 20 ml Subsoil below topsoil in Area B +
Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant

AMS = Accelerator Mass Spectronomy

Headland Archaeology Ltd: N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2, E2056 Final Report
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 9: Radiocarbon Certificates Chrono 14 Centre Queen’s University Belfast

RADIOCARBON DATE CERTIFICATE
Laboratory Identification: UB-7408

Date of Measurement: 2007-02-26
Site: A024/E2056 Clogharevaun, Co. Gal
Sample ID: Salix/Populus sp
Material Dated: Charcoal
Pretreatment: AAA
Submitted by: Damian shiels
14
C Date: 3140±33
δ13C: -26.0
SalixPopu
UB-7408
Radiocarbon Age BP 3140 +/- 33
Calibration data set: intcal04.14c # Reimer et al. 2004
% area enclosed cal AD age ranges relative area under
probability distribution
68.3 (1 sigma) cal BC 1450- 1390 1.000
95.4 (2 sigma) cal BC 1496- 1373 0.929
1342- 1318 0.071
1
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
RADIOCARBON DATE CERTIFICATE
Laboratory Identification: UB-7409

Date of Measurement: 2007-02-26
Site: A024/E2056 Clogharevaun, Co. Gal
Sample ID: Quercus sp.
Material Dated: Charcoal
Pretreatment: AAA
Submitted by: Damian shiels
14
C Date: 3078±32
13
δ C: -26.0

Quercus sp
UB-7409
Radiocarbon Age BP 3078 +/- 32
Calibration data set: intcal04.14c # Reimer et al. 2004
% area enclosed cal AD age ranges relative area under
probability distribution
68.3 (1 sigma) cal BC 1406- 1368 0.456
1359- 1314 0.544
95.4 (2 sigma) cal BC 1419- 1268 1.000
2
Appendix 8: Site Matrix Area B
Area C
Area F
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Area G
Area H
1
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Area I

Clogharevaun Bronze Age Burnt Mound and Post Medieval Field System

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Licence Feature Context Type of Pottery

Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun

Figure 2 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

Figure 5 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

Figure 6 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

Figure 7- N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Clogharevaun E2056

East and West facing sections through bank in trench 2

East and West facing sections through bank in trench 4

Figure 8 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2:

Plate 2 - North facing section of trough 1003, Area C

Plate 6 - Working shot with castle in background, Area G

Plate 8 - West facing section of pit 3008, Area G

Plate 10 - Test pit 48 and 49, Area H

Plate 12 - Test pit 9, Area H

Plate 15 - Test pit 5, Area F

6002 2.20/F Deposit Stony grey sand. Natural.

5004 2.20/H Cut Dia at least 1.2m. Pit.

E2056:H:50 3 Mixed 1 burnt clay pipe bowl fragment, Headland 10

62 South‐west Post‐excavation shot of trough [1003] N.K. 06.04.06

108 West Trench 1 right B.C. 12.04.06

30 Vertical Post‐excavation of test‐pit 2 S.O’D. 20.04.06.

81 West Post‐excavation of test‐pit 3 L.C. 25.04.06

132 North South facing section of test‐pit 28 B.C. 27.04.06

43 West Test‐pit 59 L.C. 05.05.06

18 South‐east Slot 3 south‐east end S.C. 20.04.06

4 Section Slot 3 – southeast facing 1:20 S.C. 20.04.06

Author/s Susan Lyons Soil Sample Assessment

Table 1. Composition of Retents

Context Sample Retent Wood charcoal

Table 2. Composition of Flots

Context Sample Flot vol Wood charcoal

Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant

Laboratory Identification: UB-7408

RADIOCARBON DATE CERTIFICATE

Laboratory Identification: UB-7409

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