2006:837 - RATHGLASS, Galway

The excavation in Rathglass was part of the archaeological investigations associated with the proposed N6 Galway to Ballinasloe road scheme. The site was detected during archaeological testing by Marta Muñiz Pérez (Excavations 2005, No. 650) and was excavated between March and June 2006. Work was commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Design Office and sponsored by the National Roads Authority.

The excavation took place in five areas, spaced c. 35m apart along the route of the proposed road. A number was assigned to each of these areas, increasing from Area 1 in the east to Area 5 in the west. The stratigraphical sequence of the site could be divided into four phases of activity.

Phase I: prehistory
The majority of excavated features dated to the prehistoric period. These were arranged in four distinct clusters in Areas 2–5. The clusters contained two to five cremation deposits, as well as a small number of pits, post-holes and stake-holes. Each cremation deposit provided a small amount of crushed bone fragments of probable human origin, thus the site seems to have been predominantly used for funerary purposes. A total of sixteen cremation pits were recovered.

Smaller pits, with an average diameter of 0.5m by 0.35m deep, were situated in close proximity to the cremations, while pits of greater dimensions were generally located further away (i.e. some 5–7m from the burials). Features interpreted as post-holes were few, especially in comparison with the stake-holes found in two dense concentrations in Areas 3 and 5.

Three of the clusters (Areas 2–4) may represent the remaining elements of small barrows without enclosing ditches, or, alternatively, a flat cemetery with a pattern of distinct, dispersed groups of burials. The interpretation of the western cluster of features (Area 5) demands a more complex approach, although the burial element is strongly represented here. A series of features, variously interpreted as post-holes, small pits or cremations, were recovered. These were arranged in a c. 35m-long, 12m-wide U-shaped pattern, the northern opening of which was delimited by a circular setting of some 150 closely set stake-holes. Even more intriguing was the discovery of a pit (0.65m in diameter by 0.3m deep) located in the southern interior, which was surrounded by four small pits or posts and contained some fifteen chert implements and waste products. Due to its poor preservation, it is difficult to say whether this pattern represents the remains of a structure, or simply defines an area delimited by depositions associated with the commemoration of the dead.

Phase II: medieval period
All of the features of probable early historic date were confined to the easternmost area (Area 1), within a distance of 100m from a moated site and two adjacent ringforts to the south. These remains consisted of two sets of intersecting field boundaries running in an east-south-east/west-north-west direction, along the former banks of which two ironworking furnaces had been constructed. These furnaces, the chambers and flues of which were filled with iron slag, were situated some 18m apart. It is not yet understood whether these features relate to the ringforts or the moated site. However, we can expect that, once this relationship is established, a better understanding of land use and its associated activities will emerge.

Phase III: post-medieval period
This phase was represented by four north–south ditches (Areas 1, 3, 4). These are interpreted as the remnants of field boundaries or drains.

Phase IV: modern period
This phase was represented by agricultural furrows, a set of which ran in an east–west direction, truncated by a later set of north–south-running furrows.

Finds
Finds were scarce, consisting of 79 worked and unworked cherts, six flints, a rubbing stone, some possible prehistoric pottery fragments, modern pottery fragments and a holy medal.

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