2008:512 - Ballyboggan, Galway

The excavation was undertaken in February 2008 as part of the archaeological mitigation programme for the construction of a new access road for a level crossing for Iarnród Éireann. The site consisted of the partial remains of an inhumation, burnt pits displaying evidence of ferrous metalworking and a number of post-medieval/early modern agricultural features.
The site was located beside a possible ringfort which was located to the north-west and slightly upslope. Within the possible ringfort, the entrance to a souterrain is clearly visible. The ringfort is known locally as a ‘cillín’ or children’s burial-ground. The area of the cillín and ringfort has been left undisturbed. The possible ringfort and cillín are unmarked on OS 6-inch maps.
A total area of 265m2 (Areas 1 and 2) was stripped for the Phase 2 excavation. Within Area 1 this revealed early modern furrows, one large modern subcircular field clearance pit, and a number of smaller pit features. The main feature of the site was a subrectangular charcoal-filled pit. Upon excavation, two large stones were found in the north-western corner of the pit; human cranial fragments and fragments of teeth of the mandible were identified between the stones, which appeared to be acting as ‘earmuffs’ within this grave context. The utilisation of stones on either side of the head is consistent with early medieval/medieval burial practice, although the grave-cut was orientated north-west/south-east, as opposed to the more traditional orientation of east–west. The fill around the skull contained charcoal and the soil of the edge of the cut was heavily oxidised (indicating in situ burning), except where the skull was situated. After initial examination, there was no evidence of burning on the bones (Karin Svensson, pers. comm.). No other human remains were recovered from the fill. This may be indicative that the skull fragments were a later deposition within the charcoal-filled pit.
Within Areas 1 and 2 a number of early modern/post-medieval features were identified. Several plough furrows were identified, all having an approximate north-north-west/south-south-east orientation. A large subcircular cut was also identified within Area 1. This was filled with topsoil material and large sub-rounded boulders. This feature can be interpreted as an early-modern pit containing dumped field clearance.
No diagnostic artefacts were recovered from the excavation; however the disturbed remains of possible ironworking pits yielded small amounts of iron slag, vitrified material and burnt clay. This may indicate low level metallurgy taking place on the site.
Post-excavation work and specialist analysis are currently ongoing.