County: Tipperary Site name: Cappadine
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A026/210; A026/281; A026/283; A026/284; A026/285; E2496
Author: Patricia Long, Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork.
Site type: Various
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 575170m, N 670432m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.784340, -8.368062
Archaeological investigation in advance of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick high-quality dual carriageway road project at Cappadine took place between January and March 2007. Excavations comprised five areas (A026/210, A026/281, A026/283–285) as well as two areas of testing undertaken in 2007.
A026/210
Two intersecting test-trenches were excavated in order to examine some possible linear features identified in an aerial photograph. One modern drain was identified near the CPO line to the north of the area. No features of archaeological significance were found.
A026/281
A small portion of a ditch associated with a ringfort located outside the road-take (TN025–069) was identified in the north-east corner of the site. The ditch was curvilinear reflecting the curve of a low bank which was visible outside the CPO. The width or depth of the ditch could not be determined from the narrow portion excavated within the road-take. A number of parallel (east–west) linear features (average width 0.4m) were identified in this area and following excavation were interpreted as plough furrows. A number of shallow irregular features containing charcoal flecking were also excavated; these were most likely a result of gorse clearance.
A026/283
A large oval pit measuring 6.1m long (north-west/south-east) by 5.4m wide and 0.5m deep was identified in this area. The fill was topsoil-like with a moderate amount of stone at the base. The feature may have been related to agricultural stone clearance which is as yet undated.
A026/284
One pit of possible archaeological significance was identified on this site. It was oval in plan, measured 0.92m long (north–south) by 0.75m wide and was 0.75m deep. There was clear evidence of burning in situ in the form of oxidised subsoil at the base and a rich charcoal fill. Several associated patches of charcoal flecking were identified in the vicinity of this pit.
A026/285
A single irregular feature likely to represent a tree bole was excavated in this area and deemed to be of no archaeological significance.
Additional test-trenching was carried out in the area of E2496 in 2007 and two areas of archaeological potential were identified.
Testing area 1
Two features with oxidised subsoil and charcoal-rich fills were identified. One was rectangular in plan and measured 2.54m long (north-west/south-east) by 1.08m wide and between 0.05m and 0.16m deep. The other feature was an irregular pit which measured 2.13m long (east–west) by 0.85m wide and 0.3m deep. These features are likely to be associated with a demolished post-medieval farmhouse located nearby.
Testing area 2
A number of intersecting linear features were identified in this area and following excavation were deemed to be part of a post-medieval drainage network. An oval pit measuring 0.72m long (north-east/south-west) by 0.6m wide and 0.15m deep was truncated by one of the modern drains. One roughly circular pit measuring 1.68m wide by 0.49m deep was cut into one of these drains and contained charcoal-rich material. Some shallow features with evidence of in situ burning were also identified but were not stratigraphically linked to the drains. The archaeological significance of these features will be established through further post-excavation work.
