2017:878 - Killeagh Gardens, Killeagh, Cork

Significant archaeological remains—including early medieval burials, ditches and other related remains—were discovered during the N25 Killeagh Pavement Strengthening Scheme through Killeagh Town adjacent the Old Killeagh Graveyard (CO066-041001-3). The archaeological excavation was carried out by Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd on behalf of MEIC Ltd, for Cork County Council/Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Archaeological test trenching, carried out by Daniel Noonan Archaeological Consultancy under licence 16E0346, confirmed the presence of human remains and other archaeologically significant material in the footprint of the scheme adjacent the Old Killeagh Graveyard (Noonan and Hegarty 2016). The original licence 16E0346 was transferred to Patricia Long of Rubicon Heritage Services and full archaeological excavation of the remains identified was undertaken between 23 November 2016 and 10 February 2017, under that same licence.

Excavation results

Excavations were carried out in two phases, as determined by construction and traffic management constraints. Cutting 1 was beneath the northbound carriageway of the N25 and was excavated between 23 November and 7 December 2016. Cutting 2 was beneath the southbound carriageway and was excavated between 11 January and 10 February 2017.

Archaeological remains included early medieval ditches and internal features with a suspected entrance which showed evidence of backfilling and alteration as the area became more extensively used for burial over time. Six phases were identified, the earliest and the latest identified through radiocarbon dating evidence of agricultural activity in the vicinity. Early medieval enclosing features identified to the north and south ends of the excavation area likely represent a single enclosing feature which was purposefully backfilled, possibly to accommodate an expanding burial ground. A larger ditch, identified in the north of the excavation, likely came to be infilled later in the site’s history and the burial ground extended over this area. Burial continued at the site into the late medieval period.

Osteoarchaeological analysis revealed 198 individuals; a further fourteen graves which held no or only very faint traces of skeletal evidence were also excavated, giving a total of 212 individual burials. Thirty-two radiocarbon dates obtained from these indicate that burial took place from at least the early medieval through to the late medieval period. The ground soil conditions meant the human remains were in poor condition, limiting the range of possible osteological analysis. Pathologies identified included dental pathologies, degenerative joint disease, trauma, as well as metabolic conditions. A representative sample from the skeletal assemblage was submitted for scientific analyses (isotope and ancient DNA analysis). Results indicate a community reliant on agriculture with widespread connections within Ireland and further afield, with movement of people into the locality over time. Environmental analysis of charred plant remains revealed that oat and hulled barley were the main cultivars in the early medieval period. Charcoal identifications suggest the presence of oak-birch-holly woodland, similar to that of probable ancient woodland in the area today.

Reference

Noonan, D and Hegarty, D  2016  Interim Archaeological Testing Report, Targeted Testing Outside Old Killeagh Graveyard (RMP CO066‐041001), N25 Killeagh Pavement Strengthening Scheme. Unpublished report for CCC.