2001:791 - NEWTOWN (A and E), Limerick, Limerick

This site was initially identified by Avril Hayes during the test-trenching phase of the Limerick Southern Ring-Road Project (see No. 787, Excavations 2001, 00E0853). Removal of the topsoil from the area of the road-take revealed a substantial multi-period site. Two distinct phases of activity can be positively identified.

Bronze Age activity
The first phase is centred around an early Bronze Age cemetery. Fragments of at least seven funerary pots were recovered, including one almost complete example of a vase urn. A quantity of cremated bone was also associated with these pots, which contained the remains of at least three individuals, two adults and a child (Linda Lynch, osteoarchaeologist, pers. comm.). No grave-goods were associated with these vessels.

Two structures were excavated to the north of the cremation pits. Both were composed of a combination of post-holes and slot-trenches. The more coherent of the two, Structure A, was rectangular or U-shaped in plan and measured 8m north-east/south-west by 5m. A hearth-like feature was identified in the interior, while a pit, also in the interior, produced fragments of pottery believed to be Bronze Age coarse ware. A large number of stake-holes in the interior may be evidence of a movable screen. A second, much-denuded structure was identified immediately to the west. This site, Structure B, again consisted of a combination of post-holes and slot-trench. It measured 8m north-west/south-east and was at least 3.5m wide. It also had a U-shaped or rectangular plan.

A number of burnt features uncovered at this site have been tentatively associated with the Bronze Age horizon. A deposit of burnt mound material, probably the remains of a fulacht fiadh, had been cut through by a ditch feature. This ditch may be associated with the early medieval occupation of the site (see below). The function of this burnt mound material, however, is unclear as it appears to have been contained within a deep pit, as the level of fire-cracked stone extended below the base of the ditch cut. A nearby fill of burnt mound material in a large pit produced sherds of pottery, probably of Bronze Age date.

A cluster of round pits was also recorded to the east of the main area of activity. These averaged 1m in diameter and attained a depth of up to 0.5m. It has been suggested that these enigmatic features may be roasting-pits. It is not clear at this stage to which phase these features belong.

Early medieval activity
The largest feature of this site was a large subtriangular enclosure, with a 5m-wide causewayed entrance to the east. The ditch was V-shaped in profile and averaged 3m in width. It was surrounded from east to north by a shallow trench, identified as a palisade trench, which averaged 0.5m in width. All features in the interior were uncovered immediately below the topsoil, and very little stratigraphy was in evidence. No bank was discovered, and it is likely that it was backfilled into the ditch. This enclosure has maximum dimensions of 40m north–south by 50m. A series of post-holes and a slot-trench around the causeway may represent an entrance feature, such as a wooden gate or tower.

This ditch enclosed a large figure-of-eight structure, measuring 10m north–south by 9m, with a probable entrance opening to the east. This structure was of slot-trench construction, with a cluster of internal post-holes in the southern side. An iron knife, hone stones and part of a blue glass armlet were recovered from the slot-trench. Similar glass armlets have been found at Irish high-status sites such as Lagore crannog, as well as Carraig Áille, Lough Gur, Co. Limerick. Two glass beads were recovered from pits in the interior of the house, the more impressive of the two being a green glass example with herringbone decoration in yellow paste or enamel. This bead is similar to one recovered at Reask, Co. Kerry. This type of bead appears to be of Irish manufacture and may date from the second half of the first millennium AD. However, in the northern portion of the slot-trench the top of a human skull, a thumbnail flint scraper and animal teeth were recovered.

Several modern drainage features were also excavated within the enclosure, as well as several pits, which did not contain any diagnostic artefacts or charcoal. A second circular structure, 5m in diameter, of slot-trench construction, was also excavated to the north of the figure-of-eight house. It did not produce any artefacts or charcoal, so it is unclear to which phase of activity this belongs.

In conclusion, two very distinct phases of activity were apparent at this site. Without the benefit of datable material, it is impossible to assign several of the features to either period. The Bronze Age activity is represented by the cremation cemetery, the structures and burnt mound activity. The early medieval period is identified by the large subtriangular enclosure, the figure-of-eight house and associated artefacts.

16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick