2006:1882 - KNOCKGRAFFON, Tipperary

Four sites, Sites 137.3, 137.2, 137.1 and 133.1, located in the townland of Knockgraffon were excavated along a section of the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown road improvement scheme. Three of the sites (Site 137.1, 137.2 and 133.1) were first identified during testing carried out during August 2005 (Excavations 2005, No. 1412, 05E0877). The fourth site (Site 137.3) was uncovered during monitoring associated with the construction phase of the road scheme in April 2006 (A035/001; E2279, Carrigane/Owen’s & Bigg’s-Lot, Co. Cork).

Site 133.1 was located in a large arable field that sloped steeply to the east. Following topsoil removal the site consisted of four subcircular pits and one oblong-shaped pit. Cremated bone was recovered from one of the subcircular cuts. The area investigated measured c. 20m (east–west) by 20m. The pits were closely spaced and occupied a total area of 3.5m north–south by 2.5m. The subcircular pits measured 0.45–0.8m in diameter and 0.08–0.3m in depth, while the oblong-shaped pit measured 1.8m in length, a maximum of 0.7m in width and 0.2m in depth. The pits were filled by similar greyish-brown silty clays that contained frequent flecks of charcoal and occasional burnt stones. A token deposit of cremated human bone was recovered from one of the pits. A charcoal sample from the cremation pit gave a calibrated radiocarbon date of AD 40–250.

Site 137.1 was located in a large undulating field of pasture. Following topsoil removal, the site consisted of two post-hole circles that contained a large number of internal pits. The area investigated measured a maximum of 60m (north–south) by 40m. The larger post-hole circle (Post-hole Circle 1) had a diameter of 7.9m and was composed of thirteen circular post-holes, the majority of which measured 0.2–0.4m in diameter and 0.25–0.6m in depth. The post-holes were relatively evenly spaced, with c. 1.55m separating each one. Two larger post-holes appeared to define a south-east-facing entrance, 2.5m in width. A total of 21 pits were identified within the interior of Post-hole Circle 1. These pits were especially concentrated in the western interior of the circle and a line of them appeared to arc around, mirroring the alignment of the post-holes. The majority of pits were circular in shape, with U-shaped profiles. They varied in size, with the smallest pit measuring 0.33m by 0.3m by 0.18m and the largest 1.2m by 1.1m by 0.5m. A charcoal sample from a post-hole belonging to this structure gave a calibrated radiocarbon date of 1380–1100 BC, while a charcoal sample from a pit associated with the structure gave a calibrated radiocarbon date of 1454–1297 BC.

The smaller post-hole circle (Post-hole Circle 2) had a diameter of 6.6m and was located 4.8m to the south-west of Post-hole Circle 1. It was severely truncated along its eastern side by a modern machine cut, while a north–south field boundary ran through the centre of the circle. Due to this truncation, the western side of the circle was more intact. This side of the post-hole circle was defined by five post-holes, while only three survived along the eastern side. The post-holes measured 0.16–0.25m in diameter and 0.1–0.3m in depth. Five pits were identified within the interior of Post-hole Circle 2. These were concentrated in the western part of the circle and were filled with similar charcoal-rich deposits. One of the pits contained a baked clay object similar to a mace head. A charcoal sample from this pit gave a calibrated radiocarbon date of 1439–1291 BC. A shallow pit immediately to the west of this circle contained a barbed and tanged arrowhead.

A number of additional pits and post-holes, apparently randomly placed, were identified to the west and south of the two post-hole circles.

Site 137.2 was located in a low-lying part of a very large undulating field that was possibly prone to flooding in winter. Following topsoil removal, the site consisted of three shallow pits. The area investigated measured c. 15m (east–west) by 13m. The pits measured 0.6–1.1m in diameter and 0.05–0.12m in depth. All three cuts were filled by charcoal-rich deposits containing frequent inclusions of burnt stone. This distinctive fill is reminiscent of burnt-mound material and it is possible that these pits represent residual material from such activity. A possible Bronze Age date is suggested for these features.

Site 137.3 was located in a large relatively flat arable field that had been subjected to intensive farming practices. Following topsoil removal, the site consisted of two distinct areas of activity. The first area (Area A) contained the scarped remains of a Late Bronze Age round house as well as a large number of pits and post-holes. Sherds of probable Middle Neolithic pottery were recovered from one of the pits at this location. The second area (Area B) of activity was located c. 40m to the south of the first area and consisted of a shallow figure-of-eight-shaped kiln and two associated pits. The area investigated at this site measured c. 25m (east–west) by 55m.

Twenty-three post-holes and ten pits were identified in Area A. Some of the post-holes appeared to form the remains of a highly truncated circular building with an approximate diameter of 6m (Structure 1). The southern side of the building was the most definite and was defined by a curving arc of seven post-holes. Only one post-hole survived along the northern side of the structure. The entrance was defined by six paired post-holes, which formed a south-east-facing porch. The porch structure measured 1.5m in length and a maximum of 1.2m in width. Two post-holes appeared to have acted as internal roof supports. These were c. 1m apart and were centrally placed within the building. A charcoal sample from one of the post-holes belonging to Structure 1 was given a calibrated radiocarbon date of 1100–830 BC. Ten pits, the majority of which were shallow concave cuts, were also identified in Area A. Fragments of probable Neolithic pottery were recovered from one of these cuts.

A shallow figure-of-eight-shaped kiln appeared to be the focus of activity in Area B. The kiln feature measured 4.2m in length (east–west), a maximum of 1.8m in width and a maximum of 0.39m in depth. It consisted of two concave bowls with concave sides and concave bases. The larger western bowl had evidence for in situ burning along its sides and base, suggesting that it acted as a fire bowl. A small hearth pit was identified immediately to the east of the kiln and was probably related.

Post-excavation work for all four sites is ongoing.

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