1999:839 - TULLAHEDY, Tipperary

Some of these sites were described in Excavations 1998 (204–5). This fuller account describes all the archaeology found here.

Three burnt mounds (Sites A, B and C) were discovered in Tullahedy townland during monitoring of topsoil-stripping for the N7 Nenagh Bypass. Two further sites (Sites D and E) were found nearby this year. Excavations on all five were carried out and concluded in October 1999.

Tullahedy Site A was c. 35m south of Sites B and C and adjacent to the railway line. The burnt mound measured 23.5m east-west by 19m and was c. 0.7m in maximum depth. Three-quarters of the mound was fully excavated, the remainder is preserved. Excavations revealed up to seven clay-lined troughs, areas of cobbled surfaces and post and stake structures. One trough had a post at each of its corners and a cobbled surround. The north-east area of the site was distinct in having two separate clay surfaces; these produced worked chert, flint and a perforated stone bead, which came from the upper layer. The stone bead was similar to others found in the Neolithic site of Tullahedy, excavated by Cia McConway (Excavations 1997, 181, 97E0472; Excavations 1998, 203–4), to the west. The lower of these two clay layers produced two possible microliths. There was evidence for a hearth and structural evidence in the form of stake-holes. All of this activity was sealed by a succession of burnt stone layers that formed the mound. Within the later burnt mound strata, deposits of fine, yellow sand and a deposit of small iron objects mixed with burnt animal bones were found. Large amounts of iron slag were deposited in the mound surface when the site was abandoned.

Tullahedy Site B was the largest, roughly circular in plan. It measured c. 22m x c. 26m in diameter, with a 1.5m depth of burnt stones. Approximately half of the site was fully excavated down to natural to facilitate the road development, and the remainder is preserved. The excavation showed evidence for a multi-phase occupation of the site. Hundreds of stake-holes in an arc may have enclosed the original habitation, which in turn was sealed by a marl and peat deposit. The remains of a structure were found at the south-west of the site, consisting of a series of large, sand-filled post-holes. There was similar evidence at the north-east area for post-holes, as well as pits. It is hoped to use in situ wood remains from some of the posts for the dating of this period.

The primary burnt mound phase followed, and finds associated with this phase were wood, antler/horn, footpaths, cobbled surfaces, stone hearths, burnt spreads and a trough. A widespread deposit of distinct, grey, sandy clay, which may reflect long-term site abandonment or represent an archaeological stratum from a later phase, sealed this phase. Sealing this grey layer was the next burnt stone stratum. This phase may have been associated with an encircling ditch, which had at least two distinct, separate portions between which the ditch was formally terminated. Finds from the ditch included animal jawbones. The latest phase of this level had charcoal-rich, burnt stone deposits and also what appeared to be the ore-staining of burnt stones. Many metal and burnt bone fragments were recovered from this level, as was a ring-headed pin, a rotary quern fragment, hone stones, rubbing stones and worked bone.

The final phase of activity involved deliberate deposition of a sandstone kerb/revetment around the edge of the mound. The sandstone may have been placed for storage for use on the adjacent burnt mound, Site C. Associated with this phase was a deposit of iron fragments at the south-east of the mound.

Tullahedy Site C was the smallest burnt stone mound, a few metres east of Site B. It measured 12.5m east-west by 12m with a maximum depth of c. 0.3m. This site also had multi-phase activity. About three-quarters of this site was fully excavated, and the remainder is preserved. The primary phase involved a number of clay-lined pits and associated stake-holes. Bone and wood remains will help to date this phase. This in turn was sealed by a number of cobbled surfaces. A larger trough between Sites B and C produced a boar tusk. On the highest part of the site a four-post rectangular structure was revealed. There was much charcoal found along the base of the structure, and it was abandoned under a deposit of clay and stones. Two clay-lined troughs were revealed near this structure. All this activity was sealed by a low, charcoal-rich, burnt stone mound, which represented the final stage of activity.

Tullahedy Site D consisted of two ditches that were found in the exposed section of the road drain, c. 10m to the north-west of Site B. Although most of the ditches had been removed during the drain excavation, there was enough evidence to show that the ditches had a number of fills. Finds included butchered animal bones, slag, metal and charcoal. The ditches continued northward outside the development line.

Tullahedy Site E consisted of two to three ditches that were found in the exposed section of the road drain, c. 60m west of Site B. As the site only survived in section and produced no finds, little can be said about it. The ditches were filled with stone and pebble deposits, and the upper fills had sandstone deposits. The ditches were scaled by bog growth, which suggests an early date. The ditches survive beyond the road drain face and would be worthy of further investigation.

Owing to the complexity of the sites found here, the question of dates for the three burnt mounds and the ditches is very important. The latest phase on Site B is early medieval in date. However, the primary, pre-mound level may be prehistoric. Similarly, the final-phase iron slag deposition on Site A may be Iron Age/early medieval in date, while the primary, pre-mound level may be prehistoric. It is hoped that the post-excavation work will help to clarify this.

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