County: Wexford Site name: FERNS LOWER, Ferns
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0450
Author: Frank Ryan, Mary Henry & Associates
Site type: Barrow - ditch barrow
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 702113m, N 649122m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.583791, -6.493164
A small ring-ditch was revealed in the north-west corner of the reed bed area following bulldozing of the field. The site, which comprised a circle of charcoal-rich soil c. 5m in diameter and 0.5m wide, contained surface evidence of burnt bone and scorched earth. It contained the charred remains of large oak timbers, which underlay the cremated remains of five individuals, three of which were accompanied by grave-goods.
Excavation revealed five areas within the ditch fill that contained cremated bone; three of these also contained grave-goods. The cremated remains appear to have been burnt elsewhere and then transferred to the ring-ditch. The charred remains of timber planking underlay one of the cremated deposits, indicating the use of a wooden stretcher for interment.
Evidence of substantial oak beams was found in the ditch fill below the cremated remains. These were extensively burnt before the interment of the cremations and contained a series of small iron nails that were attached to the upper surface.
The lowest level of the trench, which was up to 0.4m deep, contained a layer of redeposited subsoil within which some stake-holes were found.
At least fifty glass beads, some of which were fused together, a stone pendant, fragmentary bronze and a single sherd of unglazed coarseware pottery were found with the cremated remains. A minimum of thirty small iron nails and about a dozen fragments of iron were associated with the underlying charred oak. The finds are awaiting conservation.
The cremated remains and soil sample have been sent for analysis. Following wood species identification, suitable samples will be submitted for radiocarbon dating.
1 Jervis Place, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
