2007:1702 - Marlhill, Tipperary

This site was identified on the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown road scheme. Due to the fact the site was preserved in situ for the purposes of a temporary road crossing, it was excavated after the main phase of excavation on the project. The site was located on a south-west-facing ridge in well-drained fertile pastureland with extensive views southwards towards the Galtee Mountains and westwards towards the River Suir valley (88m OD). Two phases of activity were identified: Iron Age and early medieval.
Phase 1: Iron Age
The Iron Age phase of activity consisted of a penannular ring-barrow, which was truncated at its eastern extent by an early medieval structure. The ring-barrow (7.2m by 6.5m in external diameter) had a south-west-facing entrance (1.3m in width). The area enclosed by the ditch measured 4m (north–south) by 3.7m. The profile of the barrow was generally U-shaped but was slightly more concave at the termini, particularly at the south-eastern terminus of the ditch, where the cut considerably widened.
The main phase of burial within the ditch were the two charcoal-rich upper fills, which contained frequent deposits of cremated bone. The cremated bone was evenly dispersed around the ditch, rather than in discrete locations. Its white colour and fragmented nature indicated it was well cremated. The small amount of bone identified in comparison to the amount of bone a body produces when cremated would suggest that these were ‘token’ deposits. Analysis of the cremated bone within this deposit identified an individual between eighteen and 44 years but the sex could not be determined. Charcoal from the upper fill of the ditch was radiocarbon dated to 40 cal bc to ad 130. Artefacts recovered from the upper fills of the ring-ditch included blue glass beads, iron nail shanks, copper-alloy fragments and two small squares of copper alloy identified as possible heads of tack or mount fragments. Two intercutting cremation pits were identified just inside the entrance to the barrow, truncating the upper fills of the ditch, and the location of these pits adjacent to the entrance may signal a ‘closing’ of the site. Again, the cremated bone from this deposit was very fragmented and only some skull vault fragments of an individual between eighteen and 44 years were identified. The small amount of bone retrieved from these features would suggest that these were also ‘token’ deposits of cremated bone.
Phase 2: early medieval
The early medieval activity consisted of a subrectangular structure with associated waste pit, a ditch (possibly part of an enclosing ditch around the site) and two inhumation burials, one of which was located within the entrance of the structure. The site lies within an area of known archaeological significance, with a number of RMP sites which are likely to date to the early medieval period located close by, such as the five ring-forts (TS068–079, TS068–080, TS068–083, TS068–104 and TS068–105) in the adjacent townland of Garranlea. The deserted medieval settlement of Dogstown (TS068–065) lies c. 1.6km north of the site.
Radiocarbon dating evidence would suggest that Site 148.1 was in use, at least sporadically or episodically, over several centuries during the early medieval period, more specifically between the 6th and 10th centuries. Two artefacts were recovered in association with this phase of the site – a whetstone and a stone flat disc.
The structure was subrectangular in plan and measured 6.6m (north–south) in width. The full length of the structure is unknown as the site was not fully exposed, but it can be estimated at c. 8m. The eastern and southern walls of the structure were defined by a slot-trench into which a series of post-holes were cut. It is likely that this slot-trench also existed along the northern extent of the structure, where a depression in the natural subsoil may indicate its location, but has been truncated. Charcoal analysis of a selection of post-holes associated with the structure identified oak as the most dominant taxa and it is likely it was the main wood used for the construction of the structure. Two intercutting pit features were centrally placed within the structure, which may have held central roof supports. A well-defined entrance was located along the northern wall, measuring c. 2m in width, and a gap in the foundation trench along the southern wall of the structure immediately opposite may be a less elaborate back door. The northern entrance splayed inwards and a post-hole forming part of the entrance was radiocarbon dated to cal ad 540–690 (Beta-233934).
An inhumation burial, orientated east–west (with the skull to the east) was located in the entrance area. Analysis of the skeletal fragments identified heavily eroded and fragmented pieces of the skull, the upper vertebrae, the right shoulder, some ribs and some hand bones. The individual was estimated to be between 35 and 64 years in age at time of death and was tentatively sexed as female. A fragment of bone produced a radiocarbon date of cal ad 650 to 780 (Beta-231090). There is a slight overlap in the radiocarbon dates for the grave-cut and the structure, indicating they might be contemporary. Was this inhumation placed at the entrance to the structure to ‘close’ the structure and signify the end of its use?
A second burial was identified 4.5m to the north of the structure. This burial was also orientated east–west but the skull was located at the western extent of the cut. Analysis of the skeletal fragments identified some poorly preserved fragments of the skull, the vertebral column, the right shoulder, arm and hand and some fragments of the pelvis, the right femur and the left foot. This burial was radiocarbon dated to cal ad 690 to 900 (Beta-231092), producing a slightly later date than the burial located within the entrance to the structure. The individual was estimated to be between 35 and 64 years in age at time of death and was tentatively sexed as female.
A ditch was identified to the east of the structure and was only partially exposed (it continued beyond the limits of excavation to the north). It was 2.6m wide and 1.4m in maximum depth. Cattle, sheep and pig bone were identified within this cut. Two artefacts were also recovered from this ditch – a flat stone disc and a whetstone/honestone. A large ditch measuring c. 4m in width and 2.1m deep was partially exposed at the northern extent of the site and seemed to curve slightly to the south. Animal bone identified from this ditch included cattle, sheep, pig, red deer, horse and dog bone. The curvatures of both ditches would suggest they join and may form an enclosing element around the site.