2024:825 - Ballyganner North, Clare

The excavation was undertaken from 13 May to 31 May 2024. In 2023 a trench (Trench 1) was excavated with a north/south orientation through the site. The excavation in 2024 was a continuation of archaeological investigations at the site. One trench (Trench 3) was excavated through the center of hut/enclosure CL009-242— running east-west. Two human burials were uncovered along with the enclosing wall and a number of internal features and layers. A number of artefacts and animal bones were uncovered during the excavation.

A total of 36 archaeological contexts were uncovered within Trench 3. The layers and features were associated with a range of activity within the centre of the hut/enclosure which included habitation layers, stone wall of the enclosure, rubble fills, a number of burials and pits. A large number of artefacts were uncovered from the site which comprised worked bone, worked stone, a bone toggle, iron finds, copper tweezers, a copper spiral ring and a number of lithics. It is not possible to determine a date and function for the site at present, but it is possible the site is multi-period and had a number of different functions, burials being a notable use for the site. Post-excavation analyses and radiocarbon dates will provide more specific functions and dates for the site.

In 2023 three radiocarbon dates were obtained from the site. The crouched burial dates to the 8^th/9^th century. A pit and a bone from under the wall date to the Iron Age. It is likely that some of the features uncovered during Phase 3 are also Iron Age. Two further burials were uncovered during this phase, one of which was extended and the other crouched within a large pit. At present it is uncertain if the burials are related to the 8^th/9^th century crouched burial excavated in Phase 2.

The excavation was run with the involvement of the local community and local volunteers from the Burrenbeo Trust including some NUIG archaeological students. The excavation provided useful training on all aspects of archaeological excavation and the value of ‘best practice’ recording of archaeological features. The licence holder is involved in the Field Monument Adviser (FMA) programme for Co. Clare, through which the results of the excavation will be disseminated to the local community and wider public. This excavation will play a major role in raising archaeological awareness in the local and farming community of the Burren.