2006:1930 - TULLAHEDY, Tipperary

The following summary comprises the findings of a large-scale excavation carried out on the north, south and western side of an esker in the townland of Tullahedy, Co. Tipperary. Excavation commenced in January 2006 in advance of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick high-quality dual carriageway scheme and was completed in January 2007. The site will be largely impacted on by the construction of a new link between the N7 and the N52. The eastern side of the site will not be affected by the proposed development and will remain in situ. The site was partially excavated by Cia McConway in 1997 during the construction of the Nenagh bypass (Excavations 1998, No. 627, 97E0472).

The site is situated on a natural glacial hillock, measuring c. 166m by 110m and 4m in height, and stands out in a landscape of flat, low-lying boggy terrain. Evidence for a lake edge was recorded on the south-east side of the mound. Although this site had been extensively disturbed, mainly by quarrying, features of archaeological significance were extant. The site was interpreted as a semi-enclosed natural mound with external settlement dating to the Early Neolithic period. Dating is based on the ceramic and finds assemblage. The main features of the site included evidence for a palisade at the west and north-west. A section of the mound on the south-east was hollowed out and two Neolithic houses with associated hearths were built within the hollow. Numerous pits of contemporary date were recorded in the area. Structural evidence was also recorded on the south-west side of the mound as well as simple but large earth-cut pits. A later phase of activity at the site is represented by large-scale alteration of the contours by introducing over 1m of glacial till on to the lower slope. Artefacts of a high quality were retrieved from nearly all contexts throughout the site; up to 127 polished stone axeheads (including fragments) as well as arrowheads, scrapers and prehistoric pottery. The high number of axeheads is unrepresentative of typical occupational debris and suggests either a manufacturing or ritual element to the site. The nature of the archaeology is currently unparalleled in the known Irish archaeological record.

The mound
Excavation on the slopes of the mound showed that over 1m of soil was introduced on to the old ground layer overlying relatively low-lying natural sand. These underlying glacially deposited sands were found to make up the natural hillock throughout the site. The sand deposits extended from the lower surrounding boggy ground on the north and west to the shoreline of a former lake on the south and south-east. This side of the site was previously submerged in water and, as the water levels receded and dried up, organic material built up over the white marl subsoil. It was only when the overlying archaeological deposits were removed from the slope of the mound that it was evident that the slope itself was not generally modified but lacustrine erosion caused a sharp edge to the basal slope area and the interface between dry land and the lake was represented by a sharp fall in ground contours.

Palisade
On the north-west and western side of the site the earliest feature cut into the original ground surface was a narrow linear-shaped shallow slot foundation trench extending across the upper slope of the mound. This feature was interpreted as the foundation for a structure enclosing the land-facing side of the mound. Evidence for this feature extended intermittently for a length of c. 96m from the north-east to the south-west of the site. Only shallow traces of it were recorded on the south mound area (Cutting F).

Hollowed shelter
A large hollow (17m by 18m by 1m) had been cut into the eastern slope of the mound. This landscaping was associated with the occupation of the site. The ground plan of two buildings, numerous pits, post- and stake-holes were cut into the base. The finds from this area included quernstones, polished stone axeheads, arrowheads, chert debitage, rock crystal and prehistoric pottery. The end of settlement was marked by the introduction of infill layers returning the natural slope of the mound.

Houses
The extant remains of two buildings were excavated within a landscaped semicircular hollow located on the eastern side of the site (Cutting B). Both buildings are interpreted as houses and had an unusual alignment of north–south. The structural components mainly consisted of a row of posts set into a foundation trench.

Structure 1 was represented by two parallel linear foundation slot-trenches enclosing a small rectangular area measuring 3m wide by c. 5m in length. The south wall had a length of 4.8m by 0.2m wide with intermittent post-holes along its length. The upright timber posts were supported with stone slab packing. Two quernstones were found within the house, one of which was broken and had been reused as a packing stone in the foundation slot-trench. The north wall measured 3.5m long by 0.3–0.5m wide and evidence for one post-hole and stake-hole was present; stone packing was found throughout the slot-trench. The internal floor space had numerous post-holes, stake-holes, a central hearth and five pits. The hearth was represented by a spread of oxidised clay contained by stakes. The internal sandy clay floor differed in colour to the surrounding area. A cluster of post-holes arranged roughly in a circle was located between the two foundation slot-trenches towards the southern end of the house.

A second structure (Structure No. 2) was situated directly to the south-east of Structure 1. A linear foundation slot-trench with a curved corner was aligned north–south. The full extent of this structure was not fully exposed and may extend under the north baulk. The slot-trench measured 7.8m long by 0.4–0.5m wide, terminating with a post-hole at either end. The northern wall was represented by a row of large post-pits. A hearth with numerous associated stake-holes was present.

A number of external features were excavated in close proximity to Structure 1. Four charcoal-rich pits, clusters of stake-holes and a stone-lined hearth located to the east of the buildings were probably contemporary with the occupation phase.

The evidence for settlement on the site occurs in close proximity to the stream/or former lake and was sited within the landscaped hollow, providing sufficient shelter from the prevailing winds.

Pits
Numerous pits were excavated throughout the site. They have been grouped as follows until further analysis is carried out:
• Large earth-cut pits to the south-west.
• Small irregular pits cutting the gravel at the base of the mound to the north-west (containing polished stone axeheads).
• Domestic refuse pits associated with occupation on the east of the mound.
• Large pits cutting the glacially derived stone cobbles on the south-eastern side of the mound.

Creating a mound
Some time later there was deliberate infilling on the slope of the mound, marking the end of use of the original enclosing feature and settlement. Over 1m of soil was introduced, greatly adding to the height and slope of the underlying natural mound. However, where naturally higher ground occurred no deliberate attempts were made in antiquity to raise the ground level. A large terminal feature was excavated in Cutting G14; it was cut into natural sand and filled with similar layers as seen elsewhere. These layers represented rapid infilling. A flint barbed-and-tanged arrowhead was found in the upper infill layer, suggesting a Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age date.