1997:449 - CROGHAN DEMESNE, Offaly

Archaeological monitoring of topsoil-stripping was carried out in advance of a proposed development at Croghan Demesne, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, in December 1997. The proposed development comprises the construction of a horse arena on the south-west side of Croghan Hill. The site of the proposed development is situated between two large archaeological complexes and was therefore deemed to be within an area of archaeological potential. The complex (SMR 10:4) to the north-east of the site encircles the hill and contains numerous recorded sites and monuments, including a tumulus, ecclesiastical remains, a ringfort, two enclosure sites, two unclassified earthworks, a togher site and a possible hillfort site. A second archaeological complex (SMR 10:10) is located west of the development site and contains a deserted medieval village, a fortified house, a church and graveyard, a tumulus, a ring-barrow and an enclosure. There are also two holy wells in the vicinity of the site, one 140m to the south-west (SMR 10:11) and another 50m to the south-east (SMR 10:12).

The site is situated at the south end of a large field on the south-west side of Croghan Hill. It is rectangular in plan and measures 25m north-east/south-west by 45m north-west/south-east. As the proposed development required a relatively level surface it was proposed to strip the north-eastern half of the site and to use the spoil to raise the ground level at the south-western end. Consequently the proposed area to be stripped measured only 10m north-east/south-west by 45m north-west/south-east. Initially a small number of human bones were found, but as the excavation continued significant quantities of human bone and two possible burials were encountered. Consequently the excavation was stopped and the exposed material was recorded.

The topsoil consisted of a greyish-brown silty clay with inclusions of roots, pebbles, bone fragments and flecks of charcoal and lime. It had an average thickness of 0.3m and overlay a mixed yellowish-brown silty clay with inclusions of cobbles, pebbles, roots, bone, flecks of charcoal and lime and occasional boulders. The subsoil was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.3m along the north-east edge of the excavated area.

The uncovered human remains comprise two possible burials, five skulls and a significant quantity of disarticulated skeletal remains. Following the discovery it was decided to reinstate the site and relocate the proposed development. The partially exposed human remains were covered with plastic sheeting prior to backfilling and all loose bone was collected and removed from the site at the request of the National Museum of Ireland. The excavated site may form part of an Early Christian burial-ground and it is possible that this was the site of the original church foundation at Croghan.

The landowner subsequently chose a site in an adjoining field about 50m south-west of the original site. The topsoil here consisted of a light greyish-brown silty clay with inclusions of small angular cobbles, pebbles, roots and flecks of charcoal. It was 0.35m deep and overlay orange subsoil with inclusions of cobbles, pebbles, roots and flecks of charcoal. The maximum depth of excavation was 0.45m. No archaeological deposits or features were encountered in this area.

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