2006:1802 - BALLINAHINCH, Tipperary

Possible archaeological features were identified as part of test-trenching the proposed N7 route in early 2006, but A026/021 was non-archaeological in nature. A026/020 consisted of a large, roughly circular, rock-cut enclosing ditch, measuring externally 40m north–south by 37m. The profile of the ditch was U-shaped with depths varying from 0.55m to 1m, with an average width of 1.5m. A recut was evident in the south-western ditch. An entrance, measuring 4m in width, was located in the north-east of the enclosure. Initial assessments of the ditch fills have provided no clear indication of the presence of a bank.

Numerous archaeological features were evident both external and internal to the enclosure. These were particularly concentrated in the southern half of the site, as the northern half of the site was primarily of bedrock.

Features external to the enclosing ditch were almost exclusively concentrated directly to the west of the enclosure. Numerous stake-holes, post-holes and pits were evident and a structure was apparent with the presence of a slot-trench. This slot had a line of posts extending south-south-east from it, which could easily have held structural posts. A number of stray finds of slag were recovered from this area and were probably associated with this subrectangular structure.

Cremated bone was recovered from a shallow pit to the north-west of the enclosure. Preliminary analysis indicates that it may be human in origin.

The dominant internal feature consisted of a large linear ditch, orientated north–south. It measured 22m in length by 3m in width. A curve was apparent in the alignment and this was opposite to the curve of the enclosing ditch element. It terminated with a ‘squared-off’ end to the south, where it was internal to the main enclosing ditch. At the northern end there was evidence that the terminal there was also squared-off but was later truncated by the enclosing ditch.

A large number of stake-holes were concentrated in the area between the linear ditch and the enclosing ditch. There were twelve pits and 95 stake-holes in this small area. The stake-holes in particular were concentrated around a hearth. The internal linear ditch truncated the hearth, at least two stake-holes and two pits. A possible pot-boiler stone was recovered in association with the hearth.

Up to four probable structural features were identified in the interior of the enclosure. The first structure was centrally positioned and comprised a circular slot-trench, with a central post-hole and an internal slot-trench. The second structure was located immediately to the east and comprised a linear slot and associated post-holes, giving a rectangular outline in plan. A number of other post-holes were located to the east of this structure and a metal object was recovered from the fill of one. A third structure was identified to the south-east of the latter. It again consisted of a linear slot and associated post-holes. The fourth internal structure was located in the south of the enclosure, directly to the east of the southern terminal of the large internal linear feature. Here, a series of large, stone-lined posts formed a U-shaped pattern.

A large number of samples were recovered during the excavation. Fills of features were routinely sampled and will be subject to processing in the post-excavation phase. There is a general paucity of finds from the site. Charcoal will be processed from a selection of features for identification and radiocarbon dating. Cremated bones will also be examined by a human osteoarchaeologist. The metal object retrieved from a post-hole in Area P will be submitted to Heritage Care for conservation.

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