2005:1412 - M8 CASHEL TO MITCHELSTOWN ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, Tipperary

Test-trenching was carried out as part of an assessment along a 6km stretch of the 41km section of proposed N8 improvement road to the south of Cashel, Co. Tipperary. In all, 23.3km of the proposed route were available for testing and this was carried out in four sections, each under separate licences (see Nos 1403 and 1404, 05E0875 and 05E0878, and No. 1456, 05E0876, Excavations 2005). Testing took the form of centre-line trenching, with alternate 90° offsets at 15m intervals. The trenches were 1.8–2m wide. A total of 15,470 linear metres of test-trench were excavated under this licence and fourteen areas of archaeological potential were identified.

Site 147:1, Marlhill
Pits
206214 132797
This site was located in a pasture field, near the base of a small valley. According to the landowner the western end of the field was prone to extensive flooding in the winter. The site consisted of two subcircular pits, roughly 30m apart. The first pit measured 2m north–south by 1m. It was filled by a blackish-brown silty clay of moderate compaction that contained large amounts of charcoal and heat-affected stone. The second pit measured 1m north–south by 1m. It was filled with a blackish-brown silty clay of moderate compaction that contained large amounts of charcoal and heat-affected stone. These features probably represent the remains of roasting pits or else residual material from burnt-mound activity.

Site 147:2, Marlhill
Pit
206283 132559
This site was located in a large pasture field that sloped gradually to the west. It consisted of a subcircular pit that measured 1.1m east–west by 0.8m by 0.2m in depth. As this pit was an isolated feature it was excavated under the testing licence. The break of slope at the top and base of the pit was gradual. It was filled by a blackish-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal flecks and heat-affected stones. Parts of the base and side of the cut were fire-reddened, suggesting in situ burning. The presence of in situ burning, charcoal and heat-affected stone suggests that this pit might be the remains of a roasting pit.

Site 146:1, Marlhill
Post-holes
206096 132205
This site was located in a level area of a pasture field that sloped gradually to the east. It consisted of a roughly north-west/south-east line of post-holes. It measured 5m in length and was composed of four circular post-holes that measured between 0.1 and 0.15m in diameter. All the post-holes were filled by a greyish-brown silty clay of moderate compaction that contained occasional charcoal flecks. One of the post-holes was half-sectioned. This revealed a cut 0.14m in depth that had steeply sloping sides and a concave base. The cut was filled with a greyish-brown charcoal-rich fill that contained several medium-sized stones. This site measured 8m north–south by 4m. The line of post-holes was located at the very western edge of the road route and no other associated features were found.

Site 143:1, Marlhill
Pit
206075 131997
This feature was located adjacent to the southern boundary of a flat pasture field divided into paddocks. It consisted of a small circular pit that measured 0.3m in diameter. It was filled by a mid-brown silt clay that contained frequent flecks of charcoal and small fragments of burnt bone. The area around this pit was stripped back and no other associated features were identified. The presence of cremated bone in this feature suggests that it is the remains of an isolated pit cremation.

Site 143:2, Knockgraffon
Hearth
205980 131407
This site was located in a large undulating pasture field, in which the centre-line followed a relatively flat ridge that sloped down steeply to the west and gradually to the east. The site consisted of a subrectangular hearth that measured 1.1m east–west by 0.6m. The primary deposit consisted of a layer of fire-reddened clay that was sealed by a layer of charcoal, 0.03m in depth.

Site 143:3, Knockgraffon
Ring-barrow?
205940 131407
This site was situated at the end of the ridge just before it dropped steeply to the south-west, in a prominent position in the surrounding landscape. The site consisted of a small circular enclosure that had an overall diameter of 7.5m and an internal diameter of 5m. The ditch was 1–1.2m in width and was filled by a blackish-brown charcoal-rich silty clay of moderate compaction. The fill contained numerous fragments of cremated bone. A number of modern agricultural furrows truncated the ditch. A small pit, 0.3m in diameter, was located at the centre of the enclosure. This was filled by a greyish-brown silty clay that contained numerous fragments of burnt bone. This site appears to be the remains of a ring-barrow.

Site 137:1, Knockgraffon
Pits, post-holes
205837 130214
This site was located in a large undulating field that had a gradual slope to the south. It consisted of two subcircular charcoal-rich pits and two possible post-holes. The first pit measured 0.6m in diameter and was filled by two distinct deposits. The primary fill was a blackish-brown silty clay that contained large concentrations of charcoal. This was sealed by a light-brown silty clay that contained occasional charcoal flecks. A small post-hole, 0.15m in diameter, was located 0.2m to the west of this pit. The second pit was roughly 15m to the north of the first. It measured 0.55m in diameter and was filled by a blackish-brown silty clay that contained large concentrations of charcoal. A small post-hole, 0.12m in diameter, was located 0.3m to the east of this pit.

Site 137:2, Knockgraffon
Pit
205840 130415
This site was located in a low-lying part of a large undulating field that was possibly prone to flooding in winter. It consisted of an isolated circular pit that measured 0.6m in diameter and was filled by a blackish-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal and burnt stones. The fill was very similar to burnt-mound material and might indicate that there is an undetected burnt mound close by. This feature might also represent a roasting pit.

Site 133:1, Knockgraffon
Pits
205840 130039
This site was located in a large undulating arable field that sloped steeply to the east. It consisted of five subcircular pits that measured between 0.6m and 0.15m in diameter. They were closely spaced and occupied a total area of 3.5m north–south by 2.5m. The pits were filled by a greyish-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal flecks and occasional lumps of redeposited natural. One of the pits was half-sectioned. This revealed a cut with concave sides and a concave base that was 0.15m in depth.

Site 131:1, Knockgraffon
Hearths, pits
205966 129070
This site was located in a relatively flat area in a large arable field that sloped gradually to the east. It consisted of a least two hearths and six pits. It seems likely that all these features belong to the same phase of activity. The pits were subcircular in plan and measured between 0.3m and 1.1m in diameter. They were filled by a blackish-brown charcoal-rich silty clay, some of which also contained burnt clay. A sondage excavated through one of the pits revealed that the sides and base of the cut were fire-reddened, suggesting in situ burning. It is possible that this is the remains of a hearth pit. The two hearths identified survived as subcircular areas of fire-reddened clay containing occasional charcoal flecks. The site occupied an area that measured 16m north–south by 6m.

Site 129:1, Knockgraffon
Pits, hearths, post-holes
205946 128606
This site was located on a steep slope within a large arable field. It consisted of two pits, two hearths and four possible post-holes. The pits measured around 1m in diameter and were filled by a greyish-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal flecks. A section excavated through one of the pits revealed a cut with concave sides and a concave base, 0.18m in depth. The post-holes measured between 0.15m and 0.25m in diameter and were filled by a mid-brown silty clay. The two hearths consisted of a layer of burnt clay partially covered in a charcoal-rich deposit. The site occupied an area that measured 11m east–west by 8m. The presence of pits, post-holes and hearths at this site suggests settlement activity.

Site 127:1, Cloghabreedy
Pit
205959 128199
This feature was located in the south-east corner of a relatively flat field near the base of a pronounced natural hillock in the adjoining field. It consisted of a small subcircular pit that measured 0.3m in diameter. It was filled by a mid-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal flecks and fragments of cremated bone. No other features were identified in the general area around the pit. The presence of cremated bone in this feature suggests that it represents the remains of an isolated pit cremation.

Site 125:1, Cloghabreedy
Kiln?
205759 127519
This site was located in a relatively flat area within a large arable field that sloped gradually to the west. It consisted of a possible kiln and an associated pit. The possible kiln measured 3m north–south by a maximum of 1.1m. It consisted of three co-joined bowls that were connected by two narrow flue-like features. It was filled by a blackish-brown silty clay that contained high concentrations of charcoal. A circular pit, 1m in diameter, was located 0.1m to the south. The pit was filled by a blackish-brown charcoal-rich silty clay. The entire site measured 5m north–south by 4m. This site was roughly 12m to the south-west of Site 125:2 (below) and it seems likely that they belong to the same phase of activity.

Site 125:2, Cloghabreedy
Pits
205759 127519
This site was located in a relatively flat area within a large arable field that sloped gradually to the west. It consisted of three pits and a possible post-hole. Two of the pits were elongated irregular-shaped cuts that were filled by a greyish-brown silty clay that contained frequent charcoal flecks. The larger of the two cuts measured 2m north–south by 0.8m. The third pit was circular in shape and had a diameter of 0.9m. It was filled by a mid-brown silty clay that contained occasional charcoal flecks. The possible post-hole had a diameter of 0.25m and was filled by a mid-brown silty clay of moderate compaction. The entire site covered and area 7m east–west by 5m. This site was roughly 12m to the north-east of Site 125:1 (above) and seems likely that they belong to the same phase of activity.

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