2000:0099 - PARKNABINNIA (Clare 153), Clare

A third season of excavation took place at Clare 153, a court tomb in Parknabinnia, Kilnaboy, Co. Clare. The 2000 season ran for ten weeks from 12 June to 18 August. Excavation in Trench C (north-east quadrant of the site), Chamber 1 and Chamber 2, which was begun in 1999 (Excavations 1999, 18–19), continued in 2000. Chamber 2 was excavated all the way to bedrock (with the exception of a small portion that will be dug concurrent with Chamber 3). The baulk between Trench A (in front of the tomb entrance) and Trench C was excavated, as was the forecourt immediately in front of the entrance. Trench D refers to the chambers and to the forecourt immediately in front of the entrance. A new trench was opened in the north-west quadrant of the site (Trench E).

As in 1999, large quantities of bone were recovered from Chamber 1. In 1999 two discernible concentrations of bone were detected within an otherwise fairly homogeneous spread of bone in the chamber (a group of long bones and a pile of disarticulated bones topped with a skull). These concentrations were found to continue deeper in 2000, and additional clusters were also encountered.

In 2000 three additional clusters were detected in Chamber 1. One was a group of arm bones resting together in a gap between several stones. Another cluster consisted of four articulated cervical vertebrae, an adjacent lumbar vertebra and another piece of bone, possibly a skull fragment. The final cluster appears to be the result of someone sweeping together a lot of small bone fragments into a pile. It was located near to the north side of the chamber, and all the bones in the pile are small and broken.

Chamber 2 also contained a large amount of bone. Within the more homogeneous spread of bone, a group of bones near the centre of the chamber may have been grouped deliberately. This is suggested by the predominance of phalanges and foot bones.

Two lines of revetment were uncovered in Trench E (north-west quadrant). The two revetments run parallel to each other (c. 1m apart) in a curving arc around the back of the tomb. The revetments uncovered in Trench E are unlike those in Trench C and also unlike those visible around the south side of the tomb.

The outer revetment is formed by quite large stones (generally greater than 0.7m in length) laid flat and overlapping. The inner revetment is also made up of massive stones. At least one is over 1.5m long. They appear to be set on edge but are rather chunky stones, not like the relatively thin slabs that make up the revetments on the south side of the cairn. Most of the stones between the two revetments appear to be in situ. Some are laid so that their long axis is perpendicular to the revetment lines.

Many artefacts were recovered during the 2000 season. A leaf/lozenge-shaped chert arrowhead was found in Chamber 1, and another small fragment of a possible arrowhead was found in Trench C. A scraper fashioned from a large white flint flake and a broken white flint blade were recovered from Chamber 2. A chert flake that had been retouched and used (probably as a scraper) was found in Chamber 1. Twelve pieces of flint and chert debitage and three cores were also found across the site.

Two of the most interesting finds of the 2000 season were the two bone ‘pin’ heads. These are two pieces of worked bone that may be either pinheads or opposing ends of the same barbell-like object. Both have a shaft that is a flattened oval in cross-section, and both have golf-tee-shaped heads (not mushroom-headed). Both shafts bend to one side. The two fragments do not match exactly; if they are pieces of the same object there is a missing middle section or the ends have fragmented since breaking—one is 16mm long and the other is 24mm long. Both were found in Chamber 1.

A possible bone bead was also recovered. This piece is a fragment of very burnt bone that has been warped by intense heat. It is 20mm long and has a maximum diameter of 9mm (the object, however, is distorted). The inside of the bone is hollow, but it is not certain whether this is natural (i.e. a bird bone) or manufactured. One end of the object is a neat straight edge, which may have been manufactured. More conclusive identification will have to await closer examination. It was found in Chamber 1.

A large number of potsherds were recovered. The pottery is very delicate and has not yet been cleaned. As in previous years, most of the sherds are very small (<20mm), and some are merely crumbs (<5mm in size). A full analysis of the pottery has not been possible yet—when it is cleaned, more decorated sherds may become apparent. Most of the sherds were found in the entrance area, and many of these may well be from a single vessel crushed in situ. Lesser numbers of potsherds were found in the chambers and the cairn. Where decoration is discernible, it consists of incised lines.

Other finds consisted of two limpet shells from Chamber 1, a small amount of charcoal from Chamber 1 and from Trench C, and of course a very large amount of bone.

63 Cregaun, Tobarteascain, Ennis, Co. Clare