2007:1149 - SALLYMOUNT, Limerick

Test-trenching in advance of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick high-quality dual carriageway road project by AEGIS in 2006 identified a site at Sallymount. Full excavation between 5 and 30 March 2007 revealed a multi-phase site. It was located in undulating pasture with a notable absence of a water source in the modern-day surrounding landscape. The excavated area measured c. 60m by 70m.

Approximately 90% of a segmented enclosure ditch, measuring between 1.3m and 1.6m wide and between 0.39m and 0.8m deep, was excavated on the eastern side of the site. The enclosed area was roughly circular in plan and measured 19m in diameter. Two causewayed entrances were identified on the southern side of the enclosure; both had been affected by later ditch recuts and truncating features. The fill in the eastern side of the ditch appeared to be a result of natural silting. The basal fill within the western part of the ditch was redeposited natural, which is likely to have come from a later ditch extending from the south-west of the circular enclosure (see below). A recut of the eastern side of the circular ditch was identified along the line of the original ditch; however, it had cut through one of the causeways. Cuts in the redeposit fill in the western side of the ditch were also identified; these appeared to have functioned as waste disposal pits rather than being a deliberate recut of the ditch. They were filled with charcoal and metalworking waste material, as well as several corroded metal objects.

There were several features identified within the circular enclosure including a square four-post structure. The post-holes were between 0.26m and 0.33m in diameter and were evenly spaced 2.2m apart. Other post- and stake-holes were also identified within the enclosure; however, definite structures were difficult to identify. A geophysical survey in the adjoining field will be carried out in order to trace the extents of the enclosure.

A curvilinear ditch, which was stratigraphically later than the circular ditch, extended from the south-west of the circular enclosure. It was between 0.89m and 1.2m wide and between 0.35m and 0.66m deep. A whetstone and a large amount of metalworking waste material were found within the fill. Two additional linear ditches arranged at right angles to each other seemed to be associated with the curvilinear ditch to form a subrectangular enclosure to the west of the circular one. It measured c. 26m long (east–west) with a 3m-wide entrance on the southern side. There were two post-holes located just inside the entrance, suggesting some sort of structure or gate was in place. An east–west-orientated shallow ditch measuring 26m long may have acted as the northern limit of the subrectangular enclosure, making the enclosure 19m wide. A second shallow ditch measuring 14m long extended from it in a southerly direction.

There were a number of features identified within the subrectangular enclosure. These included a pit measuring 3.18m long (north–south) by 0.97m wide and 0.34m deep. A large portion of a prehistoric pot was recovered from the fill of this feature. Post-excavation analysis will provide an accurate date for this pottery. There were a number of other pits and possible post-holes close to this pit which may have been contemporary with it. Further post-excavation work is required in order to comment on the relationship between these features and the enclosure ditch. There were sixteen other archaeological features identified within the subrectangular enclosure. These comprised pits and possible post-holes, many of which contained charcoal and metal slag. The western side of the enclosure had been disturbed by a modern garden and, while five features were excavated in the area, their archaeological significance is as yet uncertain.

Three definite structures were identified just outside the enclosure ditches on the southern side. The most westerly of these was a rectangular structure comprising twelve post-holes and pits around the perimeter. It was located to the west of the entrance to the subrectangular enclosure and measured 3m wide (north–south) by 4m long. A hearth or possible bowl furnace measuring 0.57m long by 0.43m wide and 0.15m deep was located in the centre of the building. Three shallow pits containing metalworking waste were located on the east side of the structure, and the enclosure ditch located 2m north of the structure was filled with metalworking waste material. It seems that this structure was the focus of the metalworking activity on the site.

To the east of the entrance of the subrectangular enclosure was a series of post-holes in association with two ‘dumbbell’-shaped corn-drying kilns. The post-holes were arranged in rows representing at least one rectangular structure, and possibly a small structure on the western side. Overall the area occupied by the structure measured c. 10m long (east–west) by 7m wide. The kilns were located on the east side and measured 2.62m by 0.64m by 0.98m deep and 1.95m by 0.9m by 0.68m deep. Grain processing seemed to be the primary function of this building.

The third clearly defined structure was located 4m south-east of the enclosures. It was almost square in plan (3.4m by 3.2m) and consisted of three rows of three posts with some additional pit features. No hearth was identified and the function of this structure is as yet unclear.

A large concentration of post-holes and pit features was also identified in the west and south-west of the site. These represent the remains of at least two more structures but further post-excavation work is required to substantiate any interpretation.

As well as the prehistoric pottery, two worked flints, two well-made whetstones and a number of corroded metal objects were recovered during the excavation. A large quantity of metalworking waste material consisting of slag, furnace-lining fragments and possible ore roasting waste was also recovered. Other stone objects with possible archaeological significance were also identified. It is recommended that the remainder of the site outside the CPO be entered into the RMP for County Limerick.

Unit 1 Wallingstown Business Park. Little Island, Cork