County: Limerick Site name: CRABBS LAND
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 00E0852
Author: Frank Coyne, Ægis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 560459m, N 655044m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.645159, -8.584288
This site manifested itself as a large circular grass-covered mound in a wet marshy field. One test-trench, 8m north–south by 1m, was excavated by hand in the eastern side of the mound. This showed that the mound was made up of a substantial clay cap over a mound of heat-shattered stones. The mound measured 20m in diameter and was 0.75m in height at the centre. Excavation revealed that the mound comprised a substantial layer of grey clay, 0.45m deep, which petered out towards the edge.
Two artefacts were recovered from underneath two stones on top of this clay mantle. These were a bronze crutch-headed pin, possibly a blank as no ring was recovered, and a possible strap tag. These artefacts may date from the 11th/12th centuries. Traces of possible iron-working were also identified on top of this layer of clay.
Removal of the clay mantle showed that it covered a small burnt mound. This was kidney-shaped and measured 8m north–south by 6m, with a maximum height of 0.5m. The mound was composed of heat-shattered stone and occasional flecks of charcoal. A south-west-facing opening indicated a possible trough area, although no trough was identified. It is possible that the impermeable clay trapped water, as it does not appear that a trough ever existed at the site.
In all, two phases of activity were identified. The burnt mound may have been covered by clay over a long period of time, and this dry island in the middle of a marshy area was then utilised in the medieval period.
16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick
