1998:605 - KNOCKALTON LOWER, Tipperary

The site, in Knockalton Lower townland, c. 3 miles east of Nenagh town, Co. Tipperary, and c. 1 mile south of the N7, consisted of two roughly linear ditches running approximately north-east/south-west. The southern end of Ditch No. 1 extended beyond the CPO line of the Bypass. The ditches were separated from each other by a 2m gap-no features were noted in this immediate area.

Ditch No. 1 was 17.5m long, 0.8m wide and c. 0.3–0.4m deep, terminating at the southern end of Ditch No. 2. Ditch No. 2 was 28m long, 0.6m wide and 0.45–0.5m deep. Both drains were roughly U-shaped in section and contained similar fills of charcoal-flecked clays. A number of possible posts/ pits and a fire spot were noted adjacent to the northern end of Ditch No. 2, possibly representing the remains of a temporary structure.

Finds included slag, charcoal, struck chert flakes, a rough-out for a stone axe, disarticulated animal bones, antler and the skeleton of a dog(?). The finds all came from the fills of both drains, and the slag may suggest a date in the Bronze Age.

The southern end of Ditch No. 1 continued into the adjoining field, where a roughly circular depression was noted. As this area was outside the CPO line no investigation could take place, but its close proximity to the ditches may suggest an association.