2012:076 - Doolin Pier, Doolin, Clare

Excavation was undertaken at Ballaghaline, Doolin, Co. Clare between 21 and 28 February 2012 on behalf of Clare County Council in advance of the construction of a new pier and associated facilities at the subject site.

The proposed development will have a direct physical impact on CL008A-006 (habitation site/shell midden). The monument was first identified in an eroding soil section face which overlies a karst limestone pavement. A preliminary assessment of the proposed development was undertaken by Moore Marine Services Ltd (Kieran and Hayden, 2010). This initial assessment failed to locate CL008A-006. A subsequent site visit by Christine Grant (DAHG) and Billy Quinn (Moore Group) uncovered a bronze pin in the approximate location of the monument. Further site inspections by Christine Grant, Billy Quinn, Carleton Jones and Danny Bourke noted archaeological material (animal bone, human bone, struck stone and copper/bronze) eroding from the exposed section face.

Following consultation with the National Monuments Service a methodology for an initial investigation of the monument was agreed whereby a 10m by 10m area centred on CL008A-006 would be excavated in order to establish the nature and extent of the monument. In addition, it was proposed that a series of 1m by 1m trial holes would be excavated in the vicinity of the monument in order to identify any associated archaeological features, finds or deposits.

The area of excavation measured 100m2 and centred on CL008A-006. A total of ten 1m by 1m trial holes were also excavated to the south and west of the monument; however, no archaeological finds or deposits were recorded in any of these. Analysis of the stratigraphy in the main excavation area indicated a number of phases of activity, however the subsequent radiocarbon dating produced a late medieval date from the basal layers while lithics and an Iron Age date were retrieved from overlying deposits. This indicates that a great deal of mixing and disturbance must have taken place over time, though most of the activity seems to have been during the medieval period.

Basal layers
Basal deposit occupied a gryke located within the bedrock on the north-west side of the site. This contained a variety of charcoal fragments, as well as occasional charred cereal grain, wild taxa, 482 fragments of animal bone and 77 marine shells. Two further deposits were also situated within grykes and are considered to be contemporary. These also contained a varied charcoal assemblage, with very occasional charred cereal grain, animal bone and marine shell.

Deposits overlying bedrock
A hearth and a series of deposits were situated directly above the limestone bedrock. The hearth comprised an irregular to sub‐circular shaped deposit of clayey silt, containing a mixture of charcoal fragments and a small assemblage of charred cereal, wild taxa and cereal chaff. A total of 56 animal bone fragments and 68 marine shells were also recovered from this feature. The deposits all contained limited charcoal, animal bone and marine shell assemblages.

Main midden deposits
The main body of midden material consisted of two deposits. These contained a varied charcoal assemblage, as well as moderate amounts of charred cereals, wild taxa and very occasional amounts of charred cereal chaff. Large quantities of animal bone and marine shell were also recovered from the deposits, while a single human tooth was also retrieved together with a left human ulna fragment. In addition the main midden deposits also produced two flint flakes and inclusions of burnt sandstone. The presence of the sandstone has parallels at other midden sites and has been interpreted as being the remains of cooking activity. It is not a common material within the vicinity of Ballaghaline, therefore it is considered probable that it was imported to the site specifically for this purpose. A further midden deposit (013) was also identified containing a variety of charcoal types, as well as moderate charred cereal grains and seeds of pea. A total of 767 animal bone fragments and 5466 marine shells and a flint core were also recovered.

Modern deposits
The upper deposits at the site consisted of modern disturbance associated with the construction of the gravel car park adjoining the eastern side of the site. The stratigraphic sequence here consisted of redeposited topsoil overlain by a deposit of compressed 804 grade limestone aggregate.

Stone tool assemblage
A total of 12 lithics (primarily flint but also some chert and siltstone) and a limestone hone stone were retrieved during the excavations. While a large proportion of the assemblage was retrieved from topsoil, three artefacts were recovered from deposits directly associated with the midden activity. The lithic assemblage included four flint cores, four flakes – one of siltstone, one of chert and two of flint – two split flint pebbles, a chert blade and a natural chunk of flint. The chert blade was struck from a multi-platform core and displays possible use‐wear traces on its left and right edge, which is heavily masked by surface lustre; it measures 52mm long, 21mm wide and 9mm thick. The lithic assemblage is technologically diagnostic and dates to the end of the Neolithic period; it is also possible, though less likely, to date to the Early Bronze Age based on the presence of the bipolar split pebble technology. The two chert artefacts may pre‐date the remainder of the assemblage by several hundred years. The hone stone is an elongated rectangular example that shows extensive smoothening wear on its entire circumference, particularly on its four short sides. It suffered extensive post‐depositional damage on one of its ends and measures 103mm long, 31mm wide and 10mm thick. It is a classic early medieval artefact.

Faunal assemblage
The animal bone samples were analysed with a view to better understanding the economy of the site. A total of 3506 bone fragments and approximately 10248 mollusc shells were analysed. The assemblage demonstrates an economic system based on the intensive utilisation of land and coastal resources, with farming, fishing, mollusc gathering and bird fowling being practiced. The assemblage was typical of the medieval period onwards and also pointed to year round use of the site. Some of the faunal remains such as suckling pig and veal were not typical of normal subsistence activity and raises the possibility that more ritualised feasting may have been taking place included the gathering, cooking and consumption of a great variety of animal species rather than the typical disposal of waste material.

Osteological assemblage
The disarticulated human bone was retrieved from three contexts and was represented by two teeth and a fragment from the left ulna of an adult. One of the recovered teeth showed evidence for two dental enamel hypoplasias. These occur as a result of childhood stress episodes – such as malnutrition or acute illness – with analysis suggesting that these episodes occurred when the individual was three and a half and four and a half years of age.

Environmental samples
The soil samples were processed for environmental data and in consultation with a specialist were selected for detailed specialist analysis. Carbonised cereal grains were recorded from several of the deposits. Hulled barley was the predominant species (63%), with lesser quantities of oat (22%), bread/club wheat (1%) and rye (<1%) also recorded. Cereal chaff and wild taxa common to cultivated ground were also present in the assemblage. The charcoal analysis revealed the presence of eight taxons, including hazel, willow, ash, blackthorn, yew, pomaceous wood, alder and oak. It is generally considered that wood used as a fuel source will be collected from as close to a site as possible. This therefore suggests that hazel, ash and willow were the main species growing in the local environment since they were the dominant taxons recorded on site. The evidence for arable agriculture is typical of the medieval period. Dating Two radiocarbon dates were obtained, one from charred barley grain and the other from an ulna fragment, both of which were recovered from the midden deposits. These produced a late to post‐medieval date range of cal AD 1450 to 1640 (2σ) (BETA‐324564) and a Late Iron Age date range of cal AD 260‐430 (2σ) (BETA‐324563) respectively. In addition to these radiocarbon dates the small assemblage of lithics recovered from the site would suggest that activity was also focused on this area during the Late Neolithic period and possibly into the Early Bronze Age. The hone stone also indicates early medieval occupation of the site. The plant and faunal/shell remains indicate that the vast majority of the midden deposits were formed during the medieval period. Overall it seems the site was used intermittently over thousands of years but there is a high level of mixing of material probably caused by ongoing activity at the site, tidal action, erosion and modern disturbance from the use of the area for the disposal of building rubble. Non‐the‐less the evidence revealed the most intensive activity was during the medieval period. Reference Kieran, E. and Hayden, B., 2010, ‘Preliminary Cultural Heritage Assessment of Harbour Development at Doolin Pier, Co. Clare’, unpublished report by Moore Marine Services.

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