County: Tipperary Site name: St John the Baptist Church, St Francisabbey, Friar Street, Cashel
Sites and Monuments Record No.: TS061-025008 Licence number: 20E0553
Author: Niall Gregory
Site type: Urban, possible post-medieval or modern
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 607872m, N 640568m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.516430, -7.884018
Archaeological monitoring took place on 20 November 2020 of the removal of the floor of the church sacristy, and of external acro drain abutting the sacristy on the site of the Franciscan Friary.
A single 0.3m-wide box trench 0.4m in depth and 22m in length was mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy revealed tarmac surface, an underlying bedding layer and yellow sandy silt with extensive building debris and mortar content for the reminder of the trench’s depth. This material is associated with disturbance and construction of the sacristy. A collection of partial and disarticulated human remains were found at 607872 640568, of at least three individuals. They were all gathered and deposited together. No other archaeological material or deposits were encountered.
The remains are currently being assessed by an osteo-archaeologist in advance of being carbon dated. The preliminary report has noted at least two adults and an infant present. One molar appears to retain tobacco staining.
A full report with final results shall be forthcoming in 2021.
Cashel, Co. Tipperary
