Forming Part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co

Project Code: NGTS10 Client: Galway County Council Date: May 2012

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.

Ministerial Directions Number: A049 Excavation Registration Number: E4062 Townland Name: Cloondarone Civil Parish: Tuam Barony: Clare Site Type: Burnt mounds, burnt spreads and associated features National Grid Reference: Cloondarone 1: 142493, 249154; Cloondarone 2: 142539, 249129; Cloondarone 3: 142554, 249129; Cloondarone 4: 142540, 249100; Cloondarone 5: 142551, 249087 Chainage: Cloondarone 1: 23,170, Cloondarone 2: 23,110; Cloondarone 3: 23,100; Cloondarone 4: 23,090; Cloondarone 5: 23,080 Archaeological Consultant: Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd Director: Liam McKinstry Report Author: T.J. O’ Connell with Liam McKinstry Report Status: Approved

Project Code: NGTS10 Client: Galway County Council Date: May 2012

CONTENTS Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

1 INTRODUCTION 7

2 SITE BACKGROUND AND LOCATION 8 2.1 Site location 8 2.2 General background 8 2.3 Recent excavations 8

3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 10 3.1 Objectives 10 3.2 Methodology 10

4 THE RESULTS 11 4.1 Excavation results: Cloondarone 1 (Figure 3; Plates 1‐3) 11 4.2 Excavation results: Cloondarone 2 (Figure 5) 11 4.3 Excavation results: Cloondarone 3 (Figure 6; Plate 4) 11 4.4 Excavation results: Cloondarone 4 (Figure 8; Plate 6) 11 4.5 Excavation results: Cloondarone 5 (Figure 8; Plate 9) 12 4.6 The finds and samples 14

5 DISCUSSION 15 5.1 Phasing and Chronology 15 5.2 Burnt mounds in an Irish context 15 5.2 Siting 16 5.3 Function 17 5.5 Conclusions 19

6 ARCHIVE QUANTITIES 20

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 20

REFERENCES 21

FIGURES

Figure 1 E4062 / Cloondarone A, Site location Figure 2 E4062 / Cloondarone A, Cloondarone 1‐5 Figure 3 E4062 / Cloondarone 1, Site layout Figure 4 E4062 / Cloondarone 1, North and south facing sections of burnt spread (1003) Figure 5 E4062 / Cloondarone 2, Cloondarone Site layout Figure 6 E4062 / Cloondarone 3, Site layout Figure 7 E4062 / Cloondarone 3, Northeast facing section of burnt spread (3003) Figure 8 E4062 / Cloondarone 4 and 5, Site layout Figure 9 E4062 / Cloondarone 4, Plan and southeast facing section of trough (4012) Figure 10 E4062 / Cloondarone 4, Northeast facing section of burnt spread (4003) Figure 11 E4062/Cloondarone 5, Plan of possible trough (5013)

2 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

Figure 12 E4062/Cloondarone 5, Plan and north facing section of possible trough (5016) Figure 13 E4062/Cloondarone 5, North facing section of burnt mound (5004)

PLATES

Plate 1 E4062/Cloondarone 1. Pre‐excavation view of site, facing south Plate 2 E4062/Cloondarone 1. Mid‐excavation view of burnt spread (1003), facing west Plate 3 E4062/Cloondarone 1. Post‐excavation view of site, facing northeast Plate 4 E4062/Cloondarone 3. Pre‐excavation view of site, facing east Plate 5 E4062/Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation view of burnt spread (3003), facing west Plate 6 E4062/Cloondarone 4. Pre‐excavation view of site, facing southeast Plate 7 E4062/Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012), facing east southeast Plate 8 E4062/Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of burnt spread (4003), facing northeast Plate 9 E4062/Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation view of site, facing southwest Plate 10 E4062/Cloondarone 5. Mid‐excavation view of trough (5016), facing east Plate 11 E4062/Cloondarone 5. Mid‐excavation view of burnt mound (5004), facing east Plate 12 E4062/Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of site, facing north

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Context Register Appendix 2 Sample Registers Appendix 3 Drawing Registers Appendix 4 Photo Register Appendix 5 Site Matrix Appendix 6 The charred plant remains from Site E4062 Appendix 7 The faunal remains Appendix 8 Radiocarbon dates and certificates

3 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the final results of an archaeological excavation at Cloondarone, Co. Galway, undertaken on behalf of Galway County Council. The excavation works were undertaken as part of an Archaeological Services Contract (2010) prior to the commencement of construction of the M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. The M17 scheme extends from Rathmorrissy townland (at the southern end of the scheme) to Kilmore townland (at the northern end of the scheme) in Co. Galway. The Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland, issued Directions to Galway County Council for archaeological works associated with the road development (A049). Thirteen areas or sites of archaeological potential were identified in the townland of Cloondarone during Stage (i) testing (carried out under a separate Contract) and were each assigned individual sub numbers; Cloondarone 1‐13. For the purposes of excavation, these sites were grouped under five registration numbers: E4062 ‐Cloondarone A (Cloondarone 1‐5); E4063 ‐ Cloondarone B (Cloondarone 6‐8); E4064 ‐ Cloondarone C (Cloondarone 9); E4065 ‐ Cloondarone D (Cloondarone 10‐12) and E4066 Cloondarone E (Cloondarone 13). The Excavation Registration Number, E4062, was allocated by the Department for archaeological excavations at Cloondarone A under the direction of Liam McKinstry of Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd.

The Archaeological Services Contract (2010) was commissioned by Galway County Council and funded by the National Roads Authority; the contract was managed by Hyder Tobin Engineers on behalf of Galway County Council.

Stage (i) Test Excavation and Survey Services along the scheme were undertaken by CRDS Ltd between August and January 2010 (Bartlett 2009; Shine et al. 2009a‐d). These test excavations identified a total of 27 archaeological sites which required full archaeological excavation under Stage (iii) of the service requirements. Stage (ii) Pre‐Excavation Services were also undertaken by CRDS Ltd.

At that time a number of areas within the scheme were not subject to Stage (i) test excavation. Testing in these areas, comprising 17 specified locations omitted from the previous Contract (2009), were carried out by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd on behalf of Galway County Council between 11 and 21 May 2010 under Excavation Registration Number E4022. No additional archaeological sites were identified.

Of the thirteen newly discovered sites at Cloondarone the test excavations identified seven burnt mounds of probable Bronze Age date with a further five sites consisting of burnt spreads with associated features such as pits and potential troughs. A possible kiln was also uncovered (Bartlett 2009 et al. 2009a). The results of the testing programme in Cloondarone 1‐13 can be summarised as follows:

Cloondarone 1 Burnt spread Cloondarone A Cloondarone 2 Burnt spread Cloondarone 3 Burnt Mound Cloondarone 4 Burnt spread Cloondarone 5 Burnt spread Cloondarone 6 Burnt Mound Cloondarone B Cloondarone 7 Burnt Mound Cloondarone 8 Burnt Pit Cloondarone 9 Possible kiln, pits & spread Cloondarone C Cloondarone 10 Burnt Mound Cloondarone D Cloondarone 11 Burnt Mound

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Cloondarone 12 Burnt Mound with possible trough Cloondarone 13 Burnt Mound Cloondarone E

Full archaeological excavation was undertaken at Cloondarone A in May 2010; a preliminary report on the results of the excavation was submitted in August 2010.

Cloondarone A was situated on flat ground that appeared to be well drained at the time of excavation though which was liable to flooding during the winter months.

The excavation Five areas of excavation were located within the site at Cloondarone A—Cloondarone 1‐5.

Cloondarone 1: This area measured c. 14.50 m (north‐east–south‐west) by 14 m and excavation revealed an irregular burnt spread consisting of moderately compact silty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions. The spread measured 4.50 m (north–south) by 2.50 m and 0.10 m in depth. It was partially overlain by an shaped spread consisting of compact grey brown black silty clay. This spread measured 0.60 m by 0.47 m and 0.05 m in depth. No troughs or other cut features were associated with the burnt spread.

Cloondarone 2: No features or deposits of archaeological significance were excavated at Cloondarone 2.

Cloondarone 3: This area measured c. 15 m (northwest/southeast) by c. 12.50 m and excavation revealed an irregular burnt spread overlying a natural peat horizon. The spread consisted of moderately compact dark brown black peaty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions and measured 9 m (north–south) by 8 m and 0.24 m in depth. No troughs or other cut features were associated with the burnt spread.

Cloondarone 4: This area measured c. 13.50 m (north‐west–south‐east) by c. 12 m and excavation revealed the remains of a trough and a burnt spread.

The trough was located near the western edge of the area. It was sub‐rectangular in plan measuring 2.86 m (north‐east–south‐west) by 1.20 m and 0.39 m in depth. Two possible postholes were noted cut into the base. The first of these (in the north‐west corner of the trough) was oval in plan measuring 0.10 m by 0.08 m and 0.08 m in depth. The second posthole (in the northeast corner) was circular shape in plan measuring 0.14 m in diameter and 0.14 m in depth.

The trough was overlain by an irregular burnt spread consisting of moderately compact dark grey black silt with moderate fire‐cracked stones and charcoal fleck inclusions. It measured 13 m by 7.30 m and 0.20 m in depth.

Cloondarone 5: This area measured c. 20 m (north‐west–south‐east) by c. 17.50 m and excavation revealed the remains of two troughs, a pit and a burnt mound. Modern activity was recorded in the form of a layer of redeposited natural and a field drain.

A large sub‐oval trough, with gradually sloping sides and a flat base, was located in the centre of the area. This measured 3.70 m (east–west) by 3.10 m and 0.45 m in depth. A sub‐rectangular cut feature with sharply sloping sides and a flat base was cut into the base of this trough. This measured 0.80 m by 0.60 m and 0.10 m in depth. The second trough, which was to the north of the first, was sub‐ rectangular in plan, measuring 2.50 m (north–south) by 2 m and 0.45 m deep. A pit was located to the

5 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.. southeast of the centrally placed trough. It was sub‐square in plan measuring 1.60 m by 1.16 m and 0.45 m deep.

Overlying all three features was an irregular burnt mound consisting of moderately compact black brown peaty silty clay, with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal flecks. It measured 16.50 m (northwest‐southeast) by 13 m and 0.20 m thick.

Modern activity was recorded in the form of a layer of re‐deposited natural subsoil partially overlaying the burnt mound and the central area of the site, as well as a NNW/SSE running linear field drain which truncated the burnt mound.

Dating The burnt spread at Cloondarone 1 was radiocarbon dated to the end of the Early Bronze Age (2200‐ 1500 BC) while the additional burnt mound activity identified at Cloondarone 3, 4 and 5 was radiocarbon dated to the early part of the Middle Bronze Age (1500‐100 BC). See Appendix 6 for radiocarbon dating Table.

Results of Specialist Analysis Palaeo‐environmental remains: The only charred plant material recovered from contexts associated with burnt mound and burnt spread activity at Cloondarone A was charcoal. Visual inspection of the charcoal showed that the charcoal derived from a non‐oak species. The species identified included hazel, ash and alder which suggests that wet to marginal woodland was being exploited for fuel during the time of burnt mound activity. Four samples of waterlogged, uncharred wood which were recovered from the basal fill of a trough at Cloondarone 5 were identified as being of oak which may suggest that that trough was originally lined with oak timbers.

Faunal Remains: Animal bone fragments were collected from one of the fills of the trough and from the burnt spread in Cloondarone 4 and from the pit and the burnt mound at Cloondarone 5. All were in a very poor state of preservation with a high level of fragmentation. The majority of the animal bones from Cloondarone 4 were not identifiable to species level, though examples from a large mammal and a medium mammal were noted. The animal bones from Cloondarone 5 largely derived from upper and lower limbs, but only two specimens could be identified to species—a sheep/goat right radius and a cattle molar. In addition four fragments were identified as belonging to large mammals (probably cattle) and two came from a medium mammal.

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1 INTRODUCTION

The N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme is approximately 57 km in length and will connect the N18 Gort to Crusheen Scheme to the existing N17 road immediately north of Tuam. This overall scheme forms part of the Atlantic Corridor designed to connect Letterkenny, County Donegal to Waterford city with a high quality dual carriageway/ motorway link, which will run via Sligo, Galway and Cork. Development of the Atlantic Corridor is an objective of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007 – 2013. It is also an objective of the Transport 21 framework.

The proposed M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme is approximately 26 km long and will connect the existing M6, from Dublin to Galway, at Rathmorrissy with the N17 south of Tuam (Figure 1). An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was carried out on the entire length of the proposed road (Galway County Council 2007). The scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála (Ref. PL07 .HA0005) in March 2009.

The road construction project is being funded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. The total archaeological cost is administered by the National Roads Authority through Galway County Council. The current programme of works has been undertaken by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd following the award of an Archaeological Consultancy Services Contract (2010) by Galway County Council.

A geophysical survey was undertaken within the road corridor by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics (Bonsall and Gimson 2006). This survey informed the findings of the subsequent EIS (Galway County Council 2007). The EIS included a chapter on Archaeological and Cultural Heritage which was compiled by Sheila Lane & Associates (2007).

Test excavations under Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2009) were undertaken by CRDS Ltd between August and January 2010 (Bartlett 2009; Shine et al. 2009a‐d). These resulted in the identification of 27 archaeological sites within the CPO area. Of these, a high proportion were categorised as burnt mounds or burnt spreads with the remainder taking the form of early modern vernacular building remains, a corn‐drying kiln, (likely) prehistoric enclosures and approximately 60% of an upstanding ringfort. Stage (ii) Pre‐Excavation Services on the scheme involved the removal and management of topsoil to fully expose the archaeological features and deposits, hand cleaning of exposed surfaces and mapping of features identified at these sites. This was carried out by CRDS Ltd between December 2009 and March 2010.

Further test excavation under Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2010) were undertaken by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd between 11 and 21 May 2010 (Bolger et al. 2010), however no additional archaeological sites were identified.

Archaeological excavations were undertaken at each of the 27 identified archaeological sites by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd between May 2010 and July 2010 under Stage (iii) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2010).

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2 SITE BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

2.1 Site location

Site E4062 (Cloondarone A) was situated in the townland of Cloondarone, parish of Tuam, barony of Clare and was located 3.19 km south west of Tuam town (Figure 1). The component areas (Clondarone 1‐5) were situated on flat ground that appeared to be well drained at the time of excavation though which was liable to flooding during the winter months.

Area National Grid Reference Chainage Cloondarone 1 142493, 249154 23,170 Cloondarone 2 142539, 249129 23,110 Cloondarone 3 142554, 249129 23,100 Cloondarone 4 142540, 249100 23,090 Cloondarone 5 142551, 249087 23,080 Table 1 – Locations of component areas comprising Clondarone A

The natural geology of the townland of Cloondarone has been characterised as limestone bedrock, which is overlain by layers of glacial till and/or alluvium and old lake bed sediments. The Clare and Suileen Rivers form the eastern townland boundaries of Cloondarone. The north, west and south of the townland is primarily composed of bog and marshland. A ridge of high land dominates the central area of the townland and is surrounded by low lying bog and marsh which is liable to flood. The sites at Cloondarone are situated within a wetland/dryland interface along the eastern aspect the high ground or ridge. This ridge affords commanding views of the surrounding lowlands. The lowland areas are primarily marginal land drained by the Clare and Suileen Rivers and liable to flood (Shine et al. 2009a).

2.2 General background

A possible well site (GA043‐050), also situated in the townland of Cloondarone, is recorded c. 350 m to the southwest of the site. A ringfort, or rath (GA043‐045) and a children’s burial ground (GA043‐ 045001) are recorded c. 800 m south‐eastward of E4062 Cloondarone A in the townland of Cloonascragh. All of these recorded sites lay outside the CPO and are unaffected by the scheme.

2.3 Recent excavations

Archaeological investigations undertaken as part of Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2010) in advance of the M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme identified a number of sites in the vicinity of Cloondarone A (E4062).

Cloondarone B (E4063) was located c. 300 m to the south east of Cloondarone A. Excavations here revealed a trough with an associated burnt spread, a trough and an associated burnt mound and a tree bole (O’ Connell and McKinstry 2010a). Cloondarone C (E4064) was located c. 550 m to the SSE of Cloondarone A. Excavation there revealed a kiln and post‐medieval plough furrows (O’ Connell and McKinstry 2010b). Cloondarone D (E4065) was located c. 650 m to the SSE of Cloondarone A. Excavation there revealed a burnt spread and two troughs, each with an associated burnt spread (O’ Connell and McKinstry 2010c). Cloondarone E (E4066) was located c. 750 m to the SSW of Cloondarone A. Excavation there revealed two small burnt spreads and a post‐medieval field

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boundary system (O’ Connell and McKinstry 2010d). These sites were fully excavated during Stage (iii) of the current Contract (2010) and are the subject of individual final reports.

9 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Objectives

The objective of the work was the preservation‐by‐record through appropriate rescue excavation of any significant archaeological features or deposits, which have been identified within the land take of the proposed development, in advance of the road construction programme, so as to mitigate the impact of the road development on this archaeological material.

3.2 Methodology

Full archaeological excavation was undertaken at Cloondarone A in May 2010. The crew for the excavation consisted of 1 director, 1 supervisor and between 8 to 10 site assistants.

Topsoil stripping of the site was conducted at Stage (i) and (ii) using a 360° tracked machine fitted with a 1.9 m wide ditching (toothless) bucket under constant archaeological supervision. The following is a table outlining the total area stripped for each site.

Area Extent Cloondarone 1 192.48 m² Cloondarone 2 86.26 m² Cloondarone 3 159.42 m² Cloondarone 4 204.19 m² Cloondarone 5 279.1 m² Table 2 – Total Areas stripped at Cloondarone 1‐5

The resulting surface was cleaned and all potential features investigated by hand during Stage (iii). Archaeological contexts were recorded by photograph and on pro forma record sheets. Plans and sections were drawn at scales of 1:50, 1:20 and 1:10 respectively. Registers are provided in the appendices (Appendices 1‐4). Ordnance Datum levels and feature locations were recorded using Penmap and a total station theodolite.

Environmental samples were taken from any deposits suitable for analysis or dating as per Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd environmental guidelines and following consultation with environmental archaeologist and archaeobotanist Dr. Scott Timpany and zooarchaeologist Claudia Tommasino Suárez. No artefacts were recovered during the excavation.

As part of stage (iv) post‐excavation works, nine soil samples have been examined by the appropriate specialists and the results are incorporated into this report (see Appendices).

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4 THE RESULTS

4.1 Excavation results: Cloondarone 1 (Figure 3; Plates 1‐3)

Cloondarone 1 extended across an area measuring c. 14.50 m (northeast/southwest) by 14 m. The topsoil within this area (1002) was an average of 0.10 m in depth and comprised loose dark brown silty clay. The natural geological stratum (1001) was characterised by loose light brown sandy clay.

Excavation revealed an irregular burnt spread consisting of moderately compact silty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (1003) (Figure 4). It measured 4.50 (north/south) m by 2.50 m and 0.10 m deep. It was partially overlain by an irregular spread consisting of compact grey brown black silty clay (1004), which measured 0.60 m by 0.47 m and 0.05 m deep (Figure 4). A sample of alder charcoal, which was identified and retrieved from a sample taken from the burnt spread material (1003), was radiocarbon dated to 1668‐1519 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16991; Appendices 5 and 7) placing the activity at Cloondarone 1 at the end of the Early Bronze Age. Visual inspection of the remaining small‐sized charcoal fragments recovered from this sample indicated that they were all of non‐oak species (Appendix 5).

No troughs or other cut features were associated with the burnt spread.

4.2 Excavation results: Cloondarone 2 (Figure 5)

Cloondarone 2 extended across an area measuring c. 10 m (northwest/southeast) by c. 10 m. The topsoil within this area (2001) was an average of 0.10 m in depth and comprised loose dark brown silty clay. The natural geological stratum (2002) was characterised by loose light brown sandy clay. The natural stratum was overlain by two irregular, naturally occurring deposits.. No features or deposits of archaeological significance were uncovered within Cloondarone 2.

4.3 Excavation results: Cloondarone 3 (Figure 6; Plate 4)

Cloondarone 3 was irregular in plan and extended across an area measuring c. 15 m (northwest/southeast) by c. 12.50 m. The topsoil within this area (3001) was an average of 0.10 m in depth and comprised loose dark brown silty clay. The natural geological stratum (3002) was characterised by loose, light brown sandy clay. Overlying this was a naturally formed peat horizon, consisting of moderately compact medium brown sticky peat with occasional stone inclusions (3004).

Excavation revealed an irregular burnt spread (3003) (Figure 7; Plate 5) overlying the natural peat horizon (3004). It consisted of a single deposit of moderately compact, dark brown to black peaty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions. It measured 9 m (north/south) by 8 m and 0.24 m deep. No troughs or other cut features were associated with the burnt spread. A sample of ash charcoal, which was identified and retrieved from a sample taken from the burnt spread material (3003) was radiocarbon dated to 1432‐1312 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16992) (Appendices 5 and 7) placing the activity at Cloondarone 3 in the early part of the Middle Bronze Age.

4.4 Excavation results: Cloondarone 4 (Figure 8; Plate 6)

Cloondarone 4 extended across an area measuring c. 13.50 m (northwest/southeast) by c. 12 m. The topsoil within this area (4001) was an average of 0.10 m in depth and comprised loose dark brown

11 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.. silty clay. The natural geological stratum (4002) was characterised by loose light brown sandy clay. An irregular outcrop of the natural geological stratum (4005), which was overlain by a burnt mound on the site, was brown grey in colour and likely as a result of leeching of the degraded fire‐cracked stone within the burnt mound onto the underlying ground surface.

Excavation revealed the remains of a trough and a burnt spread within the confines of the site.

Trough The trough (4012) (Figure 9; Plate 7) was located near the western edge of the site. It had a sub‐ rectangular shape in plan, measuring 2.86 m (northeast‐southwest) by 1.20 m and 0.39 m deep, with sharply sloping sides and a flat base, which was cut by two possible postholes. The first of these (4014), in the northwest corner of the trough, had an oval shape in plan measuring 0.10 m by 0.08 m and 0.08 m deep, with sharply sloping sides and a convex‐shaped base. The second possible posthole (4013), which was situated in the northeast corner of the trough, had a circular shape in plan measuring 0.14 m in diameter and 0.14 m deep, with gradual sloping sides and base. Both possible postholes, as well as the base of the trough, were filled by light black to grey clay, with occasional small fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (4009). This was overlain by a deposit of moderately compact, dark grey clay (4007) and moderately compact, black grey clay silt, with charcoal fleck inclusions (4006). Visual inspection of charcoal recovered from a sample taken from this deposit indicated that the charcoal derived from a non‐oak species (Appendix 5). Animal bone fragments were also collected from the sample taken (Appendix 6). The final fill of the trough took the form of a deposit of moderately compact orange clay (4008).

Burnt Spread The trough was overlain by an irregular burnt spread (Figure 10; Plate 8) consisting of a single deposit of moderately compact, dark grey to black silt with moderate fire‐cracked stones and charcoal fleck inclusions (4003). It measured 13 m (northeast‐southwest) by 7.30 m and 0.20 m deep. A sample of hazel charcoal, which was identified and retrieved from a sample taken from the burnt spread, was radiocarbon dated to 1497‐1321 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 17099) (Appendices 5 and 7) placing the activity at Cloondarone 4 in the early part of the Middle Bronze Age. Visual inspection of the remaining charcoal recovered from the sample taken from this deposit indicated that the charcoal derived from a non‐oak species (Appendix 5). Animal bone fragments were collected from the burnt spread during excavation and also retrieved from a bulk soil sample taken from it during processing (Appendix 6).

4.5 Excavation results: Cloondarone 5 (Figure 8; Plate 9)

Cloondarone 5 extended across an area measuring c. 20 m (northwest/southeast) by c. 17.50 m. The topsoil at the site (5001) was an average of 0.10 m in depth and comprised loose dark brown silty clay. The natural geological stratum (5002) was characterised by loose light brown sandy clay. An irregular outcrop of the natural geological stratum (5002), which was overlain by a burnt mound on the site, was brown grey in colour (5005) and likely as a result of leeching of the degraded fire‐cracked stone within the burnt mound onto the underlying ground surface.

Excavation revealed the remains of two troughs, a pit and a burnt mound within the confines of the site.

Troughs A trough (5013) was located at the centre of the site (Figure 11). This feature consisted of a large sub‐ oval pit, which measured 3.70 m (north/south) by 3.10 m and 0.45 m deep, with gradually sloping sides and a flat base. A sub‐rectangular cut feature (5014), with sharply sloping sides and a flat base,

12 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.. was cut into the base of this pit. It measured 0.80 m by 0.60 m and 0.10 m deep, with sharply sloping sides and a flat base. Two fills were recorded within this possible trough. The lower deposit consisted of compact black brown clayey silt (5010). The upper deposit consisted of moderately compact dark black brown peaty clayey silt with fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (5005).

The second trough (5016), which was to the north of trough described above (5013), had a sub‐ rectangular shape in plan measuring 2.50 m by 2 m and 0.45 m deep with sharply sloping sides and a flat base (Figure 12; Plate 10). The primary fill consisted of moderately compact dark grey brown silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone, charcoal fleck and wood inclusions (5020). The wood fragment inclusions were assessed and identified as being of oak (Appendix 5), which may suggest that originally this trough had some type of oak wood lining. The secondary fill consisted of moderately compact grey silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (5019). A sample of hazel charcoal, which was identified and retrieved from a sample taken from this deposit, was radiocarbon dated to 1437‐1313 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16993) (Appendices 5 and 7) placing the activity at Cloondarone 5 in the early part of the Middle Bronze Age. The tertiary fill of the possible trough comprised compact black grey silty clay with occasional charcoal fleck inclusions (5017) and the final fill of the trough was composed of moderately compact black brown peaty silt (5018).

Pit A pit (5012) was located to the southeast of the larger trough (5013). It was sub‐square in plan measuring 1.60 m (east/west) by 1.16 m and 0.45 m deep with gradually sloping sides and an irregular base. The lower fill was composed of moderately compact, light grey clay with frequent charcoal fleck inclusions (5015). Animal bone fragments were collected from a sample taken from this deposit (Appendix 5). The upper fill of the pit consisted of loose brown black silty clay with small stone inclusions (5011).

Burnt mound Overlying all three features was an irregular burnt mound (Figure 13; Plate 11) consisting of moderately compact black brown peaty, silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal flecks (5004). It measured 16.50 m (north/south) by 13 m and 0.20 m deep. Visual inspection of charcoal recovered from a sample taken from this deposit indicated that the charcoal derived from a non‐oak species. Animal bone fragments were collected from the burnt mound during excavation and also retrieved from a bulk soil sample taken from it during processing (Appendices 5 and 6).

Modern Activity A re‐deposited natural layer of loose to moderately compact brown sandy clay (5003) partially overlay the burnt mound and the central area of the site. This redeposited layer measured 0.10 m deep and likely represents modern disturbance close to the site in the form of upcast from soil stripping spread across the general area.

A NNW/SSE running linear field drain (5007), which truncated the burnt mound, entered the site from the west and ran eastward for c. 9.3 m before terminating. It measured between 0.80 m and 1 m wide and 0.15 m deep, with gradually sloping sides and a flat base. It was filled by loose dark brown orange silty clay (5008).

13 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

4.6 The finds and samples

No finds were retrieved during the investigations at Cloondarone A though a number soil, bone and wood samples were taken.

Analysis of the samples In consultation with a specialist, nine soil samples were selected and processed in order to recover any relevant environmental data. The only charred plant material recovered from contexts associated with the burnt mound and burnt spread activity at Cloondarone A were charcoal fragments. Visual inspection of the charcoal showed that the charcoal derived from a non‐oak species. The species identified included hazel, ash and alder which suggests that wet to marginal woodland was being exploited for fuel during the time of burnt mound activity.

The animal bones assessed from Cloondarone 4 were found to be in a very poor state of preservation with a high level of fragmentation. All were identified as long bone shafts, two from a large mammal, and three from a medium mammal and with the remaining 43 fragments unidentifiable (Appendix 6).

The animal bones assessed from Cloondarone 5 were found to be in a very poor state of preservation with a high level of fragmentation. A total of 25 specimens were collected and were identified as deriving from upper and lower limbs. Only two specimens in the assemblage could be identified to species; a sheep/goat right radius and a cattle molar. Four fragments were identified as belonging to large mammals (probably cattle), two came from a medium mammal and seventeen additional fragments could not be identified to species or skeletal element (Appendix 6).

Four samples of waterlogged, uncharred wood, which were recovered from the basal fill (5020) of the trough at Cloondarone 5 (5016), were identified as being of oak (Appendix 6). Their presence may suggest that the trough was originally lined with oak timbers.

14 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

5 DISCUSSION

The principal archaeological components uncovered on this site were a burnt spread in Cloondarone 1, a burnt spread in Cloondarone 3, a trough and a burnt spread in Cloondarone 4 and two troughs, a pit and a burnt mound in Cloondarone 5. The results of the excavation indicate the sites represent the remains of burnt mound activity.

Burnt mounds have been identified in almost every part of the country and are the most common prehistoric monument in Ireland (Waddell 2000, 174). Large infrastructural projects have consistently identified large numbers of these sites; for example burnt mounds and related site types such as burnt mounds and spreads formed the bulk of the recorded archaeology in advance of the gas pipeline to the west (Grogan et al. 2007, 81).

5.1 Phasing and Chronology

The burnt spread within Cloondarone A was radiocarbon dated to 1668‐1519 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16991) (Appendices 5 and 7). The burnt mound activity observed at Cloondarone 3, 4 and 5 has been dated to the Middle Bronze Age with three radiocarbon dates of 1432‐1312 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16992), 1497‐ 1321 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 17099) and 1437‐1313 cal BC (2σ) (UBA 16992) returned for these three areas respectively.

Burnt mounds have been found to have a very broad date range with a small number of sites dating from the Late Neolithic and occasional examples producing dates from the Iron Age or later. However, burnt mounds that have been radiocarbon dated show a marked concentration of sites in the Middle Bronze Age, while there is a smaller but significant group indicating use in the Late Bronze Age (Brindley and Lanting 1990). A recent dating program has generally corroborated the findings of Brindley and Lanting; though burnt mounds excavated in advance of the gas pipeline to the west had a high concentration of dates to the 2500‐1700 BC period (Grogan et al. 2007, 96), the majority of sites were within the 1700‐1000 BC period (ibid.). There were only a small number of sites on this project which returned Late Bronze Age dates. Baillie (1990, 167) has made the suggestion that burnt mounds could have been used for the most part before the eruption of Mount Heckla in 1159 BC, while the environmental changes brought about by the volcano heralded a reduction in their use in the first millennium BC.

The radiocarbon dates returned for the present site are consistent with the trends identified both by Brindley and Lanting (1990) and Grogan (2007).

5.2 Burnt mounds in an Irish context

Classic burnt mounds appear in the landscape as low grassy mounds of crescent or U‐shaped plan (Waddell 2000, 174), though excavation has shown that in many cases the mound can be ploughed out or indeed may never have been on such a scale as to remain identifiable above ground. Excavated burnt mounds usually consist of a mound or spread of burnt stones and firing debris and a trough or troughs. Frequently, associated features such as hearths, pits, stakeholes and postholes are also identified but there is a great deal of variation in the morphology of excavated site types.

The number of identified burnt mounds in the country is constantly increasing and there are at least 7,000 currently known (Grogan et al. 2007, 81). Burnt mound sites are commonly referred to as ‘fulacht fiadh’ – a phrase composed of two Irish words – in historic and antiquarian sources, and this

15 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.. terminology is commonly used in modern academic literature in reference to such sites. The first word means ‘recess’ or ‘cavity’ and by extension came to be associated with pits, pits specifically used for cooking, the act of cooking and sometimes even the food itself (Ó Drisceoil 1988, 673; Ó Drisceoil 1990, 158). The second word has two possible interpretations: fiadh, of the deer or of the wild, and fian, a roving band of hunters or warriors, occasionally ‘of the Fianna or Fionn Mac Cumhail’ in reference to a mystical army who hunted and lived outdoors (Ó Drisceoil 1988, 673). Whether these early references refer to what we now class as burnt mounds is another matter, although a number of the documentary references from Ireland include explicit descriptions of the process of boiling liquid using heated stones for both cooking and bathing purposes (Ó Neill 2004, 79).

The earliest recorded reference to the term ‘fulacht’ occurres in Cormac’s Glossary from approximately AD 900 (Ó Drisceoil 1988, 673), however many of the sources in which the term is found have their roots in the oral tradition making the term difficult to accurately date (Ó Drisceoil 1990, 157). A text from the 12th century (Agallamh beg) describes how a site located on the bank of a stream is regarded as both a cooking place and ancient (Ó Drisceoil 1988, 673).

The association between burnt mounds/fulachtaí fiadh and highly mobile groups such as the fian has been long debated. The use of burnt mounds for cooking is much more time intensive than roasting meat over a fire, and would point to a more sedentary group, but few settlements have been found in the area immediately surrounding them. Recently the general picture that has been emerging indicates that, while they may not be immediately adjacent to settlement sites, they often clustered in areas where other potentially contemporaneous sites, such as standing stones, habitation enclosures and hilltop enclosures, occur (Grogan 2005, Vol. 1, 41). This would imply that they were part of a wider cultural landscape and could have been used by a largely sedentary society.

Grogan et al. (2007, 91) have concluded, from the quantities of heat‐shattered stone forming most spreads and mounds, that sites were likely used multiple times on separate occasions and that most sites would have had an extended, if periodic, use. Using digital terrain modelling, they calculated that the average number of uses per site was approximately 250 (ibid). They also noted that spoil was occasionally present on top of earlier mounds indicating that troughs had possibly been repositioned (ibid).

5.2 Siting

The siting of this monument type, generally, is noteworthy as they are almost invariably located close to a water source (e.g. Ó Neill 2000). This was well demonstrated during the North Munster Project (Grogan 2005) where the burnt mounds identified were located along the margins of wetland, small lakes, turloughs, bog and marsh as well as the edges of river estuaries and on the banks of rivers and streams. The sites comprising Cloondarone A were situated on flat ground that appeared to be well drained at the time of excavation, though which was liable to flooding during the winter months. The natural geology of the townland of Cloondarone has been characterised as limestone bedrock, which is overlain by layers of glacial till and/or alluvium and old lake bed sediments. The Clare and Suileen Rivers form the eastern townland boundaries of Cloondarone. The north, west and south of the townland is primarily composed of bog and marshland. A ridge of high ground dominates the central area of the townland and is surrounded by low lying bog and marsh which is liable to flood. The sites at Cloondarone are described as being situated within a wetland/dryland interface along the eastern aspect the high ground or ridge. This ridge affords commanding views of the surrounding lowlands. The lowland areas are primarily marginal land drained by the Clare and Suileen Rivers and liable to flood (Shine et al. 2009a).

16 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

It has been well documented that burnt mounds can be densely concentrated in areas that were suitable for their construction. Ó Drisceoil (1988, 676) describes how they ‘are frequently found together in groups of up to ten or more’. This type of clustering of burnt mounds was evident within Cloondarone A and in the surrounding landscape with additional burnt mound sites being excavated at Cloondarone B, D and E. This underlines the desirability of the location of the present site for burnt mound activity.

5.3 Function

While burnt mounds are commonly referred to in the literature as fulachtaí fiadh, it has been suggested by Brindley and Lanting that the use of the term fulacht fiadh should be confined to references to sites with troughs and mounds of burnt stone (1990, 56). It is possible that, as no associated troughs were found associated with the burnt spreads in Cloondarone 1 and 3, that the two burnt spreads found in those areas may represents the remains of some other activity not necessarily associated with the burnt mound tradition. However it would seem likely though, given the date ranges returned from the spreads and their proximity to the burnt mounds associated with troughs in Cloondarone 4 and 5, that the features at Cloondarone 1 and 3 do represent the remains of burnt mound activity. Features such as troughs, in these instances, may have been removed due to later agricultural practices or may lie beyond the extent of the current road development.

The technology of burnt mounds is well known. Stones were heated in a nearby fire and placed in a water‐filled trough – sometimes lined with timber, stones, clay or reed matting – the heat from the stones would then bring the water to boil. Once cool the stones were removed from the trough and discarded, creating a characteristic mound or spread of heat‐shattered stones. How the boiled water was subsequently utilised, however, is more difficult to ascertain. It is most likely that burnt mounds were multifunctional or that different sites were used for different purposes. Determining what each site was used for is difficult, in large part because of the lack of definitive evidence and recovered finds.

The traditional interpretation of these monuments is that they were cooking sites, a view supported both by the early texts, folk memory (Ó Drisceoil 1988; Ó Neill 2004) and experimentation (O’Kelly 1954). The texts frequently give a dual function of cooking and bathing for the sites (Ó Neill 2004, 79). The earliest historical description of burnt stone technology, where a basin of gruel is cooked with fire‐ heated stones, is from the medieval ‘Latin Life of St. Munnu’ and dates to before the 15th century (Ó Neill 2004, 79). Chronologically the next account is contained in Geoffrey Keating’s early seventeenth century The History of Ireland (Foras Feasa ar Éirinn) where a lot of detail is given about how the ‘Fian’ would cook their quarry over pits of hot stones and in water‐filled pits heated by hot stones. In this account the hunters would use a second pit of boiling water to bathe (ibid., 80). The Romance of Mis and Dubh Ruis is another well known account of a deer being boiled in water heated by hot stones and the water subsequently being used for bathing (ibid).

The bathing hypothesis is supported by ethnographic work – carried out by Barfield and Hodder (1987), who claim that those who used the burnt mounds may well have covered them in some way and used them for sweating – as well as an increasing corpus of archaeological evidence, as more of burnt mound sites are excavated. Irish sweathouses used medicinally are recorded from the modern period in which a fire would be lit inside a stone hut until the walls were hot, the embers rakes out and the patient sealed inside, sometimes with herbs placed on the hot stones (Barfield and Hodder 1987, 373). Recent excavations have been producing convincing evidence that at least some burnt mounds represent this kind of activity. These include the sites at Rathpatrick (04E0318) on the N25 Waterford Bypass (Gleeson and Breen 2006) and Ballyburn Lower, Co. Kildare (E2566; Hackett 2009).

17 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

Experimental work by O’Kelly demonstrated that a joint of meat could be cooked in three to four hours using hot stones to boil water in a trough (O’Kelly 1954). It has been noted that a distinct lack of food refuse such as animal bones is characteristic of scientifically excavated burnt mound sites; however it could be that the cooking of joints of meat was subject to various sorts of ritual or hygiene controls and that any food remains were carefully disposed of (Waddell 2000, 177). Monk has recently shown, however, that although many bones are likely lost to acidic soil, an increasing number of sites are now producing preserved bone (2007, 22). A recent preliminary study undertaken by Auli Tourunen and Karen Stewart on the pH levels of burnt mounds showed that there was no correlation between the pH value of a site and bone preservation (Tourunen and Stewart 2008). They caution, however, that this information is preliminary and that a wide range of factors may have contributed to bone preservation or the lack of bone and that the use of animal products at sites can not be ruled out (ibid.). Additional support is provided for the cooking hypothesis by detailing the importance of meat fat in food preservation (Monk 2007, 23). Without cooking trays, he notes, gathering the fat would have been problematic (ibid). One solution, however, is to boil the meat and collect the fat from the surface of the water, an activity for which burnt mounds are ideally suited (ibid). The presence of fats in the water of burnt mounds is also supported with the literary evidence in the story of Mis and Dubh Ruis.

Monk (2007, 24) has also hypothesized that burnt mounds may have been associated with soap production as all three primary ingredients are present (wood‐ash, water and animal fats). Ó Drisceoil has shown that the bathing in the burnt mounds had possible ritual connections (either with mythical people or with magically curative properties as with Mis and Dubh Ruis), and Barfield and Hodder (1987, 373) show that individual or communal sweating also has frequent ritual associations. Barfield and Hodder do not limit the uses of sweathouses to ritual activity however and they point out that their use is an easy method of bathing.

A newer theory as to the uses of burnt mounds comes from Moore and Quinn (2007) who have suggested brewing as a primary function of the sites. They maintain that the requirement for large quantities of heated water and a lack of suitable material to produce large basins in which to heat the water would have lead to the use of pits or troughs in which hot stones could be dropped to produce the required heat (ibid.). They also state that quernstones found in association with burnt mounds indicate grain processing nearby. They provide ethnographic evidence for this type of brewing as well as tracing the practice back 500 years. Although this is considerably later than the date range for burnt mounds, it provides evidence that the practice has been used throughout Europe over a considerable length of time. Their experiment conclusively proved that burnt mounds could easily have been used to produce very drinkable ale (Moore and Quinn 2007). The Irish Archaeobotany Discussion Group, however, has refuted the idea of the primary function of burnt mounds being for brewing in part due to the lack of botanical remains associated with brewing found at the sites and the periodic associated finds of quern stones as possibly ritual depositions near the feature (McClatchie et al., 2008).

Evidence from the present site regarding function The presence of burnt animal bone fragments with no visible butchery marks recovered from Cloondarone 4 and 5 does not shed conclusive light upon the question of whether or not the sites at Cloondarone A represents cooking places. In addition, there was a distinct lack of plant material recovered during the processing of the soil samples from the site. The only charred plant material recovered from contexts associated with the burnt mound and burnt spread activity at Cloondarone A were charcoal fragments. Visual inspection of the charcoal showed that the charcoal derived from non‐oak species. These included hazel, ash and alder and suggest that wet to marginal woodland was being exploited for fuel during the time of burnt mound activity. Four samples of waterlogged, uncharred wood which were recovered from the basal fill (5020) of the trough at Cloondarone 5 (5016) were identified as being of oak (Appendix 6). Their presence here may suggest that the trough was originally lined and that oak was the preferred choice of timbers for this task. The combined

18 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway.. evidence recovered from the site does not provide any conclusive evidence as to the function of the fulachtaí fiadh at Cloondarone A.

5.5 Conclusions

The burnt mound sites investigated at Cloondarone A represent an increase in the number of such sites recorded from County Galway (National Monuments Service 2007). The main concentration of the known recorded sites is in the south of the County, with a distinct clustering of sites to the south and southwest of Athenry (National Monuments Service 2007). Few sites are recorded in the area north of Athenry and south of Tuam with the result that burnt mound sites investigated as part of this scheme have expanded upon the distribution of the site‐type in the region.

19 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

6 ARCHIVE QUANTITIES

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:

Item Quantity Context Sheets 46 Plans 2 Sections 9 Photographs 105 Registers 20 Notebooks 1

The archive material is contained within 1 box.

Storage of the archive in a suitable format and location is required in order to provide for any future archaeological research. It is proposed that in addition to the paper archive a digital copy is prepared. The archive is currently stored in the offices of Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork. It is proposed that following completion of post‐ excavation the archive will be deposited with the National Monuments Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or the National Museum of Ireland, or such other repository as may be directed by the Client’s Representative and the Project Archaeologist.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The director would like to thank the following for their contribution to the excavation and post‐ excavation phases of this project:

• Martin Jones, NRA Project Archaeologist, Galway County Council, National Roads Design Office. • Tom Cannon, Senior Engineer Hyder Tobin, Joseph O’Brien, Resident Engineer Hyder Tobin, Tony Collins, Senior Engineer Galway County Council. Laura Heneghan • Project and post‐excavation managers, Colm Moloney, Damian Shiels, Åsa Carlsson and Ross MacLeod, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • Teresa Bolger, Editor, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • Graphics department, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • T.J. O’ Connell, Site Supervisor, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • The excavation team.

20 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

REFERENCES

Baillie, M. 1990 Provision of dates for Fulachta fiadh. In V. Buckley (comp.) Burnt Offerings: International Contributions to Burnt Mound Archaeology. Wordwell, Dublin. 165‐9.

Barfield, L. and Hodder, M. 1987 Burnt mounds as saunas, and the prehistory of bathing. Antiquity, 61, 370‐79.

Bartlett, T. 2009 N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Rathmorrissy Ringfort GA084:065. E4024. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council

Brindley, A. and Lanting J. 1990 The dating of fulachta fiadh. In V. Buckley (comp.) Burnt Offerings: International Contributions to Burnt Mound Archaeology. Wordwell, Dublin. 55‐56

Brindley, A, Lanting, J. and Monk, W. 1990 Radiocarbon dates from Irish Fulachta Fiadh and other burnt mounds. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, 5 25‐33.

Bolger, T., Doyle, L., O’Neill, N., Bartlett, T. and O’Neill, T. 2010 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) as part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Stage (i) Test Excavations, Addendum Report (E4022). Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

Bonsall, J. and Gimson, H. 2006 N17 Galway to Tuam National Road Scheme County Galway, Archaeological Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics for Galway County Council.

Galway County Council 2007 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Motorway Environmental Impact Statement. Galway County Council, Galway

Gleeson, C. and Breen, G. 2006 N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3. Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site 40, in the townland of Rathpatrick, Co. Kilkenny. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Waterford County Council.

Grogan, E, O’ Donnell, E. and Johnston, P. (eds) 2007 The Bronze Age Landscapes of the Pipeline to the West. Wordwell, Bray.

Grogan, E. 2005 The North Munster Project. 2 vols. Wordwell, Bray.

Hackett, L. 2009 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2566 (A021/008), in the townland of Ballyburn Lower, Co. Kildare. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Kildare County Council.

McClatchie, M., Brewer A., Dillon M., Johnston P., Lyons S., Monk M., Stewart K. and Timpany S. (members of the Irish Archaeobotany Discussion Group) 2008 Letter to the Editor ‘Brewing and Fulacht fiadh.’ Archaeology Ireland, 21 (4), 46.

Moore, D. and Quinn B. 2007 Ale, brewing and fulacht fiadh. Archaeology Ireland, 21 (3), 8‐11.

Monk, M. 2007 A greasy subject. Archaeology Ireland, 21 (1), 22‐24.

21 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

O’ Connell, T.J. and McKinstry, L. 2010a M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone 6‐8, E4063 in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

O’ Connell, T.J. and McKinstry, L. 2010b M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone 9, E4064 in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

O’ Connell, T.J. and McKinstry, L. 2010c M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone 1‐12, E4065 in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

O’ Connell, T.J. and McKinstry, L. 2010d M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone 13, E4066 in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

Ó Drisceoil, D. 1988 ‘Burnt mounds: cooking or bathing?’ Antiquity Vol. 62, 671‐80.

Ó Drisceoil, D. 1990 ‘Fulachta fiadh: the value of early Irish literature’ in V. Buckley (comp.) Burnt Offerings: International Contributions to Burnt Mound Archaeology. Wordwell, Dublin. 157‐164.

O’Kelly, M. J. 1954 ‘Excavations and experiments in ancient Irish cooking places’ Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquities in Ireland 95.

O’Neill, J. 2000 ‘Just another fulacht fiadh story’, Archaeology Ireland Vol. 14 No.2 O’Neill, J. 2004 ‘Lapidibus in igne calefactis coquebatur: The historical burnt mound ‘tradition’, Journal of Irish Archaeology Vols. xii and xiii, 79‐85.

Sheila Lane and Associates 2007 Archaeological and cultural heritage technical report. In Galway County Council Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Motorway Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 3. Galway County Council, Galway

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009a N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy to Tuam) Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 1 (Ch 25,400‐21,100) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009b N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 2 (Ch 21,100‐13,050) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009c N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 3 (Ch 13,050‐4,580) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

22 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009d N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 4 (Ch 4,580‐0) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council

Tourunen A. and Stewart, K. 2008 pH analysis of burnt mounds: implications for preservation of organic material. Poster presented at The World Archaeological Congress, Dublin, Ireland 2008.

Waddell, J. 2000 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Wordwell, Bray.

23 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

Appendix 1 – Context Registers for Cloondarone A, E4062

Context Register for Cloondarone 1

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 1001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Loose light brown sandy clay Natural 1002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose dark brown silty clay Topsoil 1003 Cut ‐ (004) 4.50 2.50 0.10 Irregular shaped in plan consisting of moderately Burnt spread compact silty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 1004 Deposit (003) ‐ 0.60 0.47 0.05 Irregular shaped in plan consisting of compact grey Spread brown black silty clay

Context Register for Cloondarone 2

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 2001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose dark brown silty clay Topsoil 2002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Loose light brown sandy clay Natural 2003 Cut ‐ (004) 4.43 4.32 0.19 Irregular shape in plan consisting of dark brown silty Spread clay 2004 Deposit (003) ‐ 2.50 0.75 0.14 Irregular shape in plan consisting of mid brown clayey Spread peat

Context Register for Cloondarone 3

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 3001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose dark brown silty clay Topsoil

Appendices M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Cloondarone A (E4062) in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway..

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 3002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Loose light brown sandy clay Natural 3003 Cut ‐ (004) 9 8 0.24 Irregular shape in plan consisting of moderately compact Burnt spread dark brown black peaty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 3004 Deposit (003) ‐ 9.25 9.21 0.57 Medium brown sticky peat with occasional stone Peat horizon inclusions

Context Register for Cloondarone 4

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 4001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose dark brown silty clay Topsoil 4002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Loose light brown sandy clay Natural 4003 Deposit ‐ ‐ 13 7.30 0.20 Irregular shape in plan consisting of moderately compact Burnt spread dark grey black silt with moderate fire‐cracked stones and charcoal fleck inclusions 4004 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Void 4005 Deposit ‐ ‐ 12 6 0.15 Irregular shape in plan consisting of loose mid brown Stained Natural grey clay 4006 Deposit (4012) ‐ 0.70 ‐ 0.06 Moderately compact black grey clay silt with charcoal Fill of trough fleck inclusions 4007 Deposit (4012) ‐ 1.34 0.52 0.18 Moderately compact dark grey clay Fill of trough 4008 Deposit (4012) ‐ 1.60 9.21 0.33 Moderately compact orange clay Fill of trough 4009 Deposit (4012) ‐ 1.54 ‐ 0.10 Light black grey clay with occasional small fire‐cracked Fill of trough (4013) stone inclusions (4014) 4010 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Void 4011 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Void

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 4012 Cut ‐ (4006) 2.86 1.20 0.39 Sub‐rectangular shape in plan with sharply sloping sides Trough (4007) and a flat base (4008) (4009) 4013 ‐ (4009) 0.14 0.14 0.14 Circular shape in plan with gradual sides and base Possible posthole 4014 ‐ (4009) 0.10 0.08 0.08 Oval shape in plan with sharply sloping sides and a Possible posthole convex base

Context Register for Cloondarone 5

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) 5001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose dark brown sandy clay Topsoil 5002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Loose light brown sandy clay Natural 5003 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.10 Loose to moderately compact brown sandy clay Re‐deposited natural 5004 Deposit ‐ ‐ 16.50 13 0.20 Irregular shape in plan consisting of moderately compact Burnt Mound black brown peaty silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 5005 Deposit ‐ ‐ 16.50 13 0.05 Irregular shape in plan consisting of loose light grey Stained Natural sandy clay 5006 Deposit (5013) ‐ 5.50 3.60 0.10 Moderately compact dark black brown peaty clayey silt Fill of trough (5014) 5007 Cut ‐ (5008) 9.30 0.80‐1 0.15 NNW/SSE running linear feature with gradually sloping Modern field drain sides and a flat base 5008 Deposit (5007) ‐ 9.30 0.80‐1 0.15 Loose dark brown orange silty clay Fill of modern field drain 5009 Void 5010 Deposit (5013) ‐ 1 0.70 0.20 Compact black brown clayey silt Fill of trough

Context Type Fill Filled Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. of: by: (m) (m) (m) (5014) 5011 Deposit (5012) ‐ 1.60 1.16 0.30 Loose brown black silty clay with small stone inclusions Fill of pit 5012 Deposit ‐ (5011) 1.60 1.16 0.45 Sub‐oval shape in plan with gradually sloping sides and Pit (5015) an irregular shaped base 5013 Cut ‐ (5010) 3.70 3.10 0.45 Sub‐square shape in plan with sharply sloping sides and Trough (5006) an irregular shaped base 5014 Cut ‐ (5010) 0.80 0.60 0.10 Sub‐rectangular shape in plan with sharply sloping sides Trough (5005) and a flat base 5015 Deposit (5012) ‐ 1.50 0.90 0.25 Moderately compact light grey clay with frequent Fill of pit charcoal fleck inclusions 5016 Cut ‐ (5020) 2.50 2 0.45 Feature consisting of a large sub‐oval shaped pit Trough (5019) component with gradual sloping sides and a flat base (5017) into which a sub‐rectangular shaped possible trough (5018) component with sharply sloping sides and a flat base was cut into. 5017 Deposit (5016) ‐ ‐ 060 0.15 Compact black grey silty clay with occasional charcoal Fill of trough fleck inclusions 5018 Deposit (5016) ‐ ‐ 1 0.30 Moderately compact black brown peaty silt Fill of trough 5019 Deposit (5016) ‐ 2 2 0.30 Moderately compact grey silty clay with frequent fire‐ Fill of trough cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 5020 Deposit (5016) ‐ ‐ 0.70 0.30 Moderately compact dark grey brown silty clay with Fill of trough frequent fire‐cracked stone, charcoal fleck and wood inclusions

Appendix 2 – Sample Registers for Cloondarone A, E4062

Sample Register for Cloondarone 1

Soil Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 1001 (1003) Moderately compact silty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions

Sample Registers for Cloondarone 2

Soil Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 2001 (2003) Dark brown silty clay 2002 (2004) Mid brown clayey peat

Animal Bone Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 2001 (2004) A single animal bone fragment

Sample Register for Cloondarone 3

Soil Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 3001 (3003) Dark brown silty clay 3002 (3004) Mid brown clayey peat

Sample Registers for Cloondarone 4

Soil Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 4001 (4006) Moderately compact black grey clay silt with charcoal fleck inclusions 4002 (4003) Moderately compact dark grey black silt with moderate fire‐cracked stones and charcoal fleck inclusions

Animal Bone Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 4001 (4003) Animal bone fragments 4002 (4005) Animal bone fragments

Sample Registers for Cloondarone 5

Soil Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 5001 (5006) Moderately compact dark black brown peaty clayey silt 5002 (5011) Loose brown black silty clay with small stone inclusions 5003 (5015) Moderately compact light grey clay with frequent charcoal fleck inclusions 5004 (5004) Moderately compact black brown peaty silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 5005 (5008) Loose dark brown orange silty clay 5006 (5017) Compact black grey silty clay with occasional charcoal fleck inclusions 5007 (5019) Moderately compact grey silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions 5008 (5020) Moderately compact dark grey brown silty clay with frequent fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions

Animal Bone Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 5001 (5004) Animal bone fragments 5002 (5005) Animal tooth fragment 5003 (5005) Animal bone fragment

Wood Samples Sample Context Description No. No. 5001 (5020) Timber 5002 (5020) Timber 5003 (5020) Timber 5004 (5020) Timber

Appendix 3 – Drawing Registers for Cloondarone A, E4062

Drawing Register for Cloondarone 1

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description 1001 1 1:50 Plan Pre‐excavation plan of site 1002 2 1:10 Section Section through burnt spread (1003) 1003 2 1:10 Section Section through burnt spread (1003)

Drawing Register for Cloondarone 2

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description 2001 1 1:50 Plan Pre‐excavation plan of site 2002 2 1:10 Section Section through spreads (2004) (2003)

Drawing Register for Cloondarone 3

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description Northwest facing section showing burnt spreads 3001 1 1:10 Section (3003) (3004) Northeast facing section showing burnt spreads 3002 2 1:10 Section (3003) (3004)

Drawing Register for Cloondarone 4

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description Northeast facing section showing burnt spread 4001 1 1:10 Section (4003) 4002 2 1:10 Section Southeast facing section showing trough (4012) 4003 1 1:10 Plan Post‐excavation plan of trough (4012)

Drawing Register for Cloondarone 5

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description 5001 1 1:50 Section North facing section showing burnt mound (5004) 5002 1 1:50 Section North facing section showing burnt mound (5004) 5003 1 1:50 Section West facing section showing burnt mound (5004) 5004 2 1:50 Section West facing section showing burnt mound (5004) 5005 2 1:50 Section West facing section showing burnt mound (5004) 5006 2 1:20 Section West facing section of pit (5012) 5007 2 1:20 Section North facing section of trough (5016)

Appendix 4 – Photo Registers for Cloondarone A, E4062

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:001 S Cloondarone 1. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:002 S Cloondarone 1. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:003 S Cloondarone 2. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:004 S Cloondarone 2. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:005 S Cloondarone 3. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:006 S Cloondarone 3. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:007 E Cloondarone 3. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:008 E Cloondarone 3. General view, pre‐excavation view of site E4062:009 E Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003), slot 7 E4062:010 SE Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003), slot 7 E4062:011 SE Cloondarone 2, general view, mid‐excavation E4062:012 SE Cloondarone 2, spread/hollow, mid‐excavation E4062:013 NW Cloondarone 2, Pre‐excavation view of spread (2004) E4062:014 SE Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2004) E4062:015 SE Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2004) E4062:016 W Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2004) E4062:017 N/S Cloondarone 1, mid‐excavation view of spread (1003) E4062:018 N/S Cloondarone 1, mid‐excavation view of spread (1003) E4062:019 N/S Cloondarone 1, mid‐excavation view of spread (1003) E4062:020 N/S Cloondarone 1, mid‐excavation view of spread (1003) E4062:021 N/S Cloondarone 1, mid‐excavation view of spread (1003) E4062:022 W Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003),slot 6 E4062:023 W Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003),slot 6, close up E4062:024 NW Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003),slot 5 E4062:025 E Cloondarone 2, mid‐excavation view of spread (2003),slot 5 E4062:026 S Cloondarone 1, section 1, west end of slot 1 through burnt spread E4062:027 SW Cloondarone 4, Overall pre‐excavation view of site E4062:028 SE Cloondarone 4, Overall pre‐excavation view of site E4062:029 SE Cloondarone 2. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:030 SE Cloondarone 2. Post‐excavation view of site Cloondarone 1. Slots 1 and 2, sections 1 and 2, mid‐excavation view E4062:031 E/W of burnt spread Cloondarone 1. Slots 1 and 2, sections 1 and 2, mid‐excavation view E4062:032 E/N of burnt spread Cloondarone 1. Slots 1 and 2, sections 1 and 2, mid‐excavation view E4062:033 S/N of burnt spread E4062:034 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:035 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:036 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:037 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:038 NE Cloondarone 4. Stony deposit E4062:039 E/W Cloondarone 1. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:040 W Cloondarone 1. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:041 S/N Cloondarone 1. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:042 S Cloondarone 1. Post‐excavation view of site

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:043 N Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:044 S Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation view of site E4062:045 SE Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:046 NE Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:047 E Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:048 SW Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:049 NW Cloondarone 3. Mid‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:050 W Cloondarone 3. Post‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:051 E Cloondarone 3. Post‐excavation of burnt spread (3003) E4062:052 SE Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation view of site E4062:053 SE Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of view of site E4062:054 S Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of view of site E4062:055 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of view of site E4062:056 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of view of site E4062:057 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of burnt mound (5005) E4062:058 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of burnt mound (5005) E4062:059 NW Cloondarone 4. SE facings section through SE extent of deposit E4062:060 SW Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:061 SE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:062 SE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:063 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:064 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:065 NE Cloondarone 4. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:066 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of burnt mound (5004) E4062:067 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of burnt mound (5004) E4062:068 SW Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation of burnt mound (5004) E4062:069 NW Cloondarone 3. Natural peat beneath mound E4062:070 SE Cloondarone 3. Exploratory trench through peat E4062:071 NW Cloondarone 3. Exploratory trench through peat Cloondarone 3. Extent of underlying peat and natural with E4062:072 SW exploratory trenches E4062:073 N Cloondarone 3. Root in situ (natural stake) E4062:074 S Cloondarone 5. Overview of site E4062:075 W Cloondarone 5. Centre of slot 1 through burnt mound (5004) E4062:076 E Cloondarone 5. Centre of slot 1 burnt mound (5004) E4062:077 S Cloondarone 5. Slot 2 through burnt mound (5004) E4062:078 N Cloondarone 5. Slots 1 and 2 through burnt mound (5004) E4062:079 S Cloondarone 5. Slot 2 through burnt mound (5004) E4062:080 N Cloondarone 5. Slot 2 through burnt mound (5004) E4062:081 E Cloondarone 5. Overview of site E4062:082 E Cloondarone 8. Pre‐excavation of (8003) and (8004) E4062:083 N Cloondarone 8. Overview of (8003) and (8004) E4062:084 N Cloondarone 4. Close up of north‐facing section E4062:085 N Cloondarone 4. North‐facing section through burnt spread (4003) E4062:086 N Cloondarone 4. North‐facing section through burnt spread (4003) E4062:087 N Cloondarone 4. North‐facing section through burnt spread (4003)

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:103 W Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012) E4062:104 W Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012) E4062:105 NW Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012) E4062:106 NW Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012) E4062:107 E Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012) E4062:108 E Cloondarone 4. Post‐excavation view of trough (4012)

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:115 N Cloondarone 5. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:116 N Cloondarone 5. Mid‐excavation view of site E4062:117 S Cloondarone 5. Pre‐excavation view of (5016) E4062:118 S Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:119 E Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of site

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:137 NE Cloondarone 5. Possible wood lining of trough (5016) E4062:138 NE Cloondarone 5. Possible wood lining of trough (5016)

Shot no. Direction facing Description E4062:158 W Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of trough (5016) E4062:159 E Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of trough (5016) E4062:160 N Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of trough (5016) E4062:161 NE Cloondarone 5. Post‐excavation view of site E4062:162 E Cloondarone 5. Mid‐excavation view of trough (5012)

Appendix 5 – Site Matrices for Cloondarone A, E4062

Cloondarone 1

(1002) Topsoil

(1004) Bronze Age Activity 1668‐1519 cal (1003) BC

Natural (1001) Geology

Cloondarone 2

(2001) Topsoil

(2003) (2004)

(2002) Natural Geology

Cloondarone 3

(3001) Topsoil

(3003) Bronze Age Activity 1432‐1312 cal BC

(3004)

(3002) Natural Geology

Cloondarone 4

(4001) Topsoil

(4003)

(4008)

(4007) (4006)

Bronze Age (4009) Activity 1497‐1321 cal BC

(4013) (4014)

(4012)

(4005)

Natural (4002) Geology

Cloondarone 5

(5001) Topsoil

(5008)

(5007)

(5003) Modern Activity

(5004)

(5018)

(5017) (5006)

(5019) (5011) (5010) 1437‐1313 cal BC (5020) (5015) (5013) Bronze Age Activity

(5016) (5012) (5014)

(5005)

(5002) Natural Geology

Appendix 6– The charred plant remains from Cloondarone A (E4062), Co. Galway. By: Sarah‐Jane Haston, Headland Archaeology Ltd

Introduction

Thirteen environmental samples were taken during the excavation of Cloondarone A, County Galway (E4062), which was made up of five individual sub‐sites or areas consisting of two irregular burnt spreads (Cloondarone 1 and 3), the remains of a trough and burnt spread (Cloondarone 4) and two possible troughs, a pit and a burnt mound burnt mound (Cloondarone 5). No features of any archaeological significance were recovered from the area excavated at Cloondarone 2 and as such the site is not discussed further. Nine samples were processed in order to retrieve any palaeoenvironmental material that could be used as radiocarbon dating material, together with providing data on the fuels used in the burnt mounds or burnt spreads as well as evidence of any associated activity around these features.

Methodology

Samples of approximately 10L were taken on site from archaeologically significant features and deposits. Samples were chosen for processing by the Site Director in order to answer research questions set during excavation. Samples were sub‐sampled to 1 litre and then processed in laboratory conditions using a standard flotation method (cf. Kenward et al., 1980). The floating debris (flot) was collected in a 250 μm sieve and, once dry, scanned using a binocular microscope. Any material remaining in the flotation tank (retent) was wet‐sieved through a 1mm mesh and air‐dried. This was then sorted by eye and any material of archaeological significance removed. All plant macrofossil samples were analysed using a low power binocular microscope with x10 and x40 magnifications.

Results

The results of the radiocarbon dating are provided in Table 1. The assessment results of the samples are provided in Table 2 (Composition of flots) and Table 3 (Composition of retents). All plant material was preserved by charring. One sample (5005) from Cloondarone 5 was found to be archaeologically sterile.

Radiocarbon dating Four radiocarbon dates are available for Cloondarone A, with dated material being charcoal fragments in all cases (see Table 1). The date range for the burnt mound and burnt spread activity spans the end of the Early Bronze Age to early part of the Middle Bronze Age period from 1668‐1519 cal BC (2σ) (UBA‐16991; 3313±26 BP) to 1432‐1312 cal BC (2σ) (UBA‐16992; 3104±26).

Charcoal fragments Charcoal fragments were the only charred plant remains recovered from the four sub‐sites or areas (Cloondarone 1 and 3‐5). Fragments were only present in small quantities, with samples containing rare to occasional amounts of heavily abraded and fragmented charcoal (see Tables 2 and 3). The maximum size of charcoal recovered in the samples was 1.5 cm. Fragments of a suitable size and condition were identified and sent for AMS (accelerated Mass Spectrometry) dating (see Table 1). Most of the charcoal recovered was very small (<1cm) and as such were not of a sufficient size for

Appendices M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone A in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. (E4062). analysis to be undertaken. Visual inspection of the charcoal fragments indicates that only non‐oak fragments were present.

Wood Samples Four samples of waterlogged wood were taken from the primary fill of trough (5016). All fragments were identified as being of oak (Quercus sp.).

Discussion

Cloondarone 1; 1668‐1519 cal BC One sample was processed from the excavated area of Cloondarone 1. The sample was taken from the burnt spread material consisting of moderately compact silty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (1003). One fragment of 1 cm was identified as being alder (Alnus glutinosa) and was sent for radiocarbon dating. The fragment produced an end of the Early Bronze Age date of 1668‐1519 cal BC (2σ) (UB‐16991; 3313±26 BP). Visual inspection of the remaining small‐ sized charcoal fragments indicated that they were all of non‐oak species. No other finds were recovered from the burnt spread.

Cloondarone 3; 1432‐1312 cal BC One sample was processed from the excavated area of Cloondarone 3. The sample was taken from burnt spread material consisting of dark brown black peaty clay with moderate fire‐cracked stone and charcoal fleck inclusions (3003). The sample was found to contain a single fragment over 1 cm which was identified as ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and sent for radiocarbon dating. The fragment returned a date of 1432‐1312 cal BC (2σ) (UBA‐16992; 3104±26) placing the burnt spread activity in the Middle Bronze Age. No other finds were recovered from the burnt spread.

Cloondarone 4; 1497‐1321 cal BC Two samples were processed from the excavated area of Cloondarone 4. The samples were taken from the burnt spread material (4003) and from the fill (4006) of the trough (4012). Sample 4002 from the burnt spread material was found to contain occasional charcoal fragments up to 1 cm. One fragment of a suitable size was identified as hazel (Corylus avellana) and sent for radiocarbon dating. The hazel charcoal produced a Middle Bronze Age date of 1497‐1321 cal BC (2σ) (UBA‐ 17099; 3147±33). The remaining charcoal fragments recovered from the sample, and that recovered in Sample 4001, taken from the fill of the trough, were all of a small size, less than 0.5 cm. Visual inspection of these fragments indicated that they were all of non‐oak species. Animal bone fragments were collected from both contexts.

Cloondarone 5; 1437‐1313 cal BC Five samples were processed from the excavated area of Cloondarone 5. One sample (5005), taken from the fill (5008) of a modern field drain (5007) was found to be archaeologically sterile. One sample (5003) was taken from the basal fill (5015) of a sub‐oval pit (5012) and produced only rare flecks and fragments of charcoal less than 0.2 cm in size. Animal bone fragments were, however, collected by hand from the deposit. Two samples (5007 and 5008) were taken from the fills (5019 and 5020) of a trough (5016). Both samples contained small amounts of charcoal fragments up to 1 cm, with Sample 5008 taken from the primary fill containing a slightly larger abundance (see Tables 2 and 3). One fragment from the secondary fill (5019) of the trough was identified as being hazel charcoal and sent for radiocarbon dating. The fragment returned a date of 1437‐1313 cal BC (2σ) (UBA ‐16993; 3112±26), again placing the burnt mound activity in the Middle Bronze Age period. Overlying the pit and trough features was the main burnt mound material. One sample (5004), taken from burnt mound (5004), was found to contain only rare fragments of charcoal less than 0.5 cm in size. Visual inspection

Appendices M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Preliminary Excavation Report for Cloondarone A in the townland of Cloondarone, Co. Galway. (E4062). of the charcoal fragments from the burnt mound deposits indicated that non‐oak species were being utilised. Animal bone fragments were also hand collected from the burnt mound deposit.

Burnt mount activity The only charred plant material to come from contexts associated with the burnt mound and burnt spread activity at Cloondarone A was charcoal fragments (see Tables 2 and 3). The charcoal fragments were mostly small in size (<1 cm) and are likely to have been spread from the location of the burning. The small size of the fragments suggests they have been fragmented over time (e.g. through plough action). Only a small number of fragments could be positively identified from the burnt mound and spread deposits (see Table 1). The species identified (hazel, ash and alder) suggest that wet to marginal woodland was being exploited for fuel during the period of burnt mound activity. These tree types have been found in other burnt mound charcoal studies from across Ireland (e.g. O’Donnell, 2007, 2009; Scott, 2010) and have been suggested to represent the use of local woodland near to the burnt mound locations.

The charcoal, in itself, provides little evidence of activities associated with the mound and spread activity. The presence, however, of small quantities of burnt animal bone in contexts associated with the burnt mound and troughs may be evidence of cooking activities taking place at a time when the burnt mounds were active in the area. The limited charred plant material (other than charcoal from burnt mound/burnt spread activity) is a common occurrence and is also the case at the other burnt mound/burnt spread sites in the area; Cloondarone B (E4063), Cloondarone D (E4065) and Cloondarone E (E4066) all show a similar charred plant assemblage with wood charcoal the main material recovered. All the burnt mound/burnt spread activity at dated Cloondarone sites took place at the end of the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Bronze Age period indicating that human activity was widespread in the area at this time.

Conclusions

• The samples produced no evidence for the formation of the burnt spread or function of the pit • Only charcoal fragments and a small amount of burnt bone were recovered from deposits associated with the burnt mound at sites 4 and 5. • Visual inspection of the charcoal showed evidence of non‐oak woods being used as fuel, including ash, hazel and alder.

References

Kenward, H. K., A. R.Hall and A. K. G. Jones 1980 A tested set of techniques for the extraction of plant and animal macrofossils from archaeological deposits. Science and Archaeology, 22, 3‐15.

O’Donnell, L. 2007 Environmental archaeology: Identifying patterns of exploitation in the Bronze Age, Charcoal and wood. In E. Grogan, L. O’Donnell, and P. Johnston (eds) The Bronze Age Landscapes Of The Pipeline To The West. An integrated archaeological and environmental assessment. Wordwell Ltd, Bray. 27‐69.

O’Donnell, L. 2009 Charcoal Results. In M. McQuade, B. Molloy and C. Moriarty (eds) In the shadow of the Galtees. Archaeological excavations along the N8 Cashel to Michelstown Road Scheme. National Roads Authority, Dublin. 243‐261.

Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck ,J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell, P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks, R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac, F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R., Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E. 2004 ‘IntCal04 Terrestrial radiocarbon age calibration, 26 ‐ 0 ka BP’, Radiocarbon, 46, 1029‐1058.

Scott L. 2009 Charcoal analysis for Site 1, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone. Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology Ltd.

E‐ Lab Radiocarbon Calibrated Age Relative Calibrated Age Relative Sample ID Material σ13C Number code age BP Ranges (1 σ) probability Ranges (2 σ) probability

E4062 UBA‐ sample 1001, Alder ‐26.0 1622‐1602 cal BC 0.258 3313±26 1668‐1519 cal BC 1 16991 context 1003 charcoal 1590‐1533 cal BC 0.742 E4062 UBA‐ sample 3001, Ash ‐26.0 1419‐1378 cal BC 0.780 3104±26 1432‐1312 cal BC 1 16992 context 3003 charcoal 1337‐1321 cal BC 0.220 E4062 UBA‐ Sample 4002, Hazel ‐26.3 1487‐1485 cal BC 0.019 1497‐1378 cal BC 0.963 3147±33 17099 context 4003 charcoal 1453‐1395 cal BC 0.981 1337‐1321 cal BC 0.037 E4062 UBA‐ Sample 5007, Hazel ‐24.2 1426‐1383 cal BC 0.878 1437‐1367 cal BC 0.754 3112±26 16993 context 5019 charcoal 1333‐1324 cal BC 0.122 1363‐1313 cal BC 0.246 Table 1 – Radiocarbon dates for Site E4062

Context Sample Feature Total flot Charcoal Charcoal Material available Comments Number Number Vol (ml) Quantity Max size (cm) for AMS Cloondarone 1 1003 1001 Burnt spread 2 Archaeologically sterile Cloondarone 3 3003 3001 Burnt spread 10 +++ 0.5 Cloondarone 4 4006 4001 Fill of trough (4012) 15 Archaeologically sterile 4003 4002 Burnt spread 4 Archaeologically sterile Cloondarone 5 5015 5003 Fill of pit (5012) 2 Archaeologically sterile 5004 5004 Burnt mound deposit 5 + 0.2 5008 5005 Fill of modern field drain (5007) 20 Archaeologically sterile 5019 5007 Fill of trough (5016) 20 ++ 1 Charcoal + 5020 5008 Fill of trough (5016) 50 + 0.5 Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant NB charcoal over 1cm is suitable for identification and AMS dating Table 2 – Site E4062 Flotation Sample Results

Charcoal Sample Charcoal max size Context Number Sample Number Feature Vol (l) quantity (cm) Material available for AMS Comments Cloondarone 1 1003 1001 Burnt spread 1 ++ 1 Charcoal + Cloondarone 3 3003 3001 Burnt spread 1 ++ 1.5 Charcoal + Cloondarone 4 4006 4001 Fill of trough (4012) 1 + 0.2 4003 4002 Burnt spread 1 ++ 1 Charcoal + Cloondarone 5 5015 5003 Fill of pit (5012) 1 + 0.2 5004 5004 Burnt mound deposit 1 + 0.5 5008 5005 Fill of modern field drain (5007) 1 Archaeologically sterile 5019 5007 Fill of trough (5016) 1 ++ 1 Charcoal + 5020 5008 Fill of trough (5016) 1 + 1 Key: + = rare, ++ = occasional, +++ = common and ++++ = abundant NB charcoal over 1cm is suitable for identification and AMS dating Table 3 – Site E4062, Retent Sample Results

Appendix 7– Faunal remains assessment from Cloondarone A, Co. Galway (E4062) By: Claudia Tommasino Suárez

Methodology

Identification and quantification During the assessment each specimen was identified according to species, skeletal element, age and sex where possible. The animal bone reference collection located in Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd, Unit 1 Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork was utilised. The mammal specimens that could not be assigned to a species were recorded using the categories “large mammal” (lm), “medium mammal 1” (mm1), “medium mammal 2” (mm2) and “small mammal” (sm) (Harland et al. 2003). The specimens categorised as “large mammal” could belong to cattle, horse or big cervids such as red deer or reindeer. The “medium mammal 1” category refers to sheep, goat, pig or small cervids. The skeletal elements are divided into the four parts of the skeleton: head (skull, mandible); axial carcass or trunk (vertebrae and ribs); meaty bones or upper limbs (scapulae, pelvis and its respective limb); and feet or lower limbs (metapodials, phalanges and carpals/tarsals).

The quantification of the assemblage was carried out using NISP (Number of Identifiable Specimens) calculated as the total of fragments attributed to a specific taxon (Grayson 1984; O’Connor 2004; Reitz and Wing 1999). All data is stored in digital and written form in the head office of Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd, Unit 1 Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork.

Ageing The tooth wear for cattle was assessed using the method described by Grant (1982).Higham (1967) was used to assigned age categories for mandibles and mandibular loose M3.

The epiphyseal fusion assessment was carried out according to Silver’s methodology (1969).

Taphonomy and butchery The recognition of any taphonomic factors such as gnawing, burning, texture and completeness of the bones and the butchery marks present were dealt with according to Lyman (1994).

Results

Site 4: The animal bone assemblage from site 4 in Cloondarone A came from two different contexts including a burnt spread (4003) and a deposit (4005) (interpreted as stained natural), totalling 48 fragments.

The assemblage was found to be in a poor state of preservation with a high level of fragmentation. The bones were between 0‐20% complete.

All fragments were identified as long bone shafts, two of them from a large mammal and three from a medium mammal 1. The remaining 43 fragments were unidentifiable.

The presence of long bones is associated with the exploitation of animals as a meat source, especially species such as cattle and sheep/goat (McCormick and Murray 2007; Denham 2007).

No taphonomic modifications or butchery marks were observable on any fragments from this site.

Site 5: The animal bone fragments from Cloondarone A site 5 were retrieved from two contexts: a burnt mound (5004) and a deposit (5005).

The vast majority of the bone was between 0‐20% complete and constituted a highly fragmented and poorly preserved assemblage.

All 25 specimens from this site are fragments from the upper and lower limbs. 17 of these fragments could not be identified to species or skeletal element. Four other fragments were identified as belonging to large mammals (most probably cattle) and two came from medium mammal 1.

The remaining two specimens were the only identifiable bones in the assemblage. The right radius corresponds to sheep/goat and the unfused distal end suggests a specimen killed between 1 and 3 years old (Silver 1969). The other identifiable bone was a left lower first or second cattle molar. This did not permit a conclusive determination of the age of the specimen, but its light wear (d) indicates a subadult animal, probably between 24 and 36 months of age (Grant 1982, Higham 1967).

According to Hambleton (1999) an economic system based on meat would be reflected through the remains of a large amount of sheep/goat specimens killed between 18 and 36 months old and cattle slaughtered between 18 and 42 months. This evidence, along with the presence of limb bones, suggests that meat was the main product obtained from both species, a trend usually seen across Ireland since the Bronze Age (McCormick and Murray 2007; Denham 2007).

No taphonomic modifications or butchery marks were identified on these specimens.

Bibliography

Denham, S. D. 2007 Animal Exploitation in Medieval Ireland. Unpublished PhD thesis, Queens University, Belfast.

Grant, A. 1982 ‘The use of tooth wear as a guide to the age of domestic ungulates’, in Wilson, B., Grigson C. and Payne, S. (eds.) Ageing and sexing animal bones from archaeological sites. British Series 109, 91‐108, Oxford.

Grayson, D. 1984. Quantitative Zooarchaeology. Academic Press Inc, Washington

Hambleton, E. 1999 Animal Husbandry Regimes in Iron Age Britain. BAR British Series 282, Oxford.

Harland, J.F., J. H. Barrett, J. Carrott, K. Dobney, and D. Jaques 2003 ‘The York System: An integrated zooarchaeological database for research and teaching’. Internet Archaeology 13.

Higham, C. 1967 ‘Stockrearing as a cultural factor in prehistoric Europe’, Proceedings of the prehistoric society. 33, 84‐106.

Lyman, R. 1994. Vertebrate Taphonomy. Cambridge: Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology. McCormick, F. 2007 ‘The horse in Early Ireland’, Anthropozoologica. 42 (1), 85‐104.

McCormick, F. and Murray, E. 2007 Knowth and the zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland. Excavations at Knowth 3. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

O’Connor, T. 2004. The archaeology of animal bones. Sutton Publishing Limited, Great Britain.

Reitz, E. J. and E. S. Wing. 1999. Zooarchaeology. Cambridge manuals in archaeology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Silver, I. 1969 ‘The ageing of domestic animals’. In Brothwell and Higgs (eds.) Science in Archaeology 2, 331‐58. Thames and Hudson.

Appendix 7 – Radiocarbon dates and certificates

Calibrated Relativ Radiocar Calibrated Relative Lab σ13 Age e Sample ID Material bon age Age Ranges probabili code C Ranges (2 probab BP (1 σ) ty σ) ility UBA‐ sample Alder ‐26.0 1622‐1602 0.258 16991 1001, charcoal cal BC 1668‐1519 3313±26 1 context 1590‐1533 cal BC 0.742 1003 cal BC UBA‐ sample Ash ‐26.0 1419‐1378 0.780 16992 3001, charcoal cal BC 1432‐1312 3104±26 1 context 1337‐1321 cal BC 0.220 3003 cal BC UBA‐ Sample Hazel ‐26.3 1487‐1485 1497‐1378 0.019 0.963 17099 4002, charcoal cal BC cal BC 3147±33 context 1453‐1395 1337‐1321 0.981 0.037 4003 cal BC cal BC UBA‐ Sample Hazel ‐24.2 1426‐1383 1437‐1367 0.878 0.754 16993 5007, charcoal cal BC cal BC 3112±26 context 1333‐1324 1363‐1313 0.122 0.246 5019 cal BC cal BC

Appendices

ClCloondaroneoondarone A ClCloondaroneoondarone A

Cloonadrone 1 GA043-050 E4062 Cloonadrone 2 ClCloonadroneoonadrone 3 Cloonadrone 4-5

Cloonadrone 6 Cloonadrone 8

Cloonadrone 7 GA01910 GA01909

GA043-045, GA043-045001

Cloonadrone 9

Cloonadrone 10 0 500 m Cloonadrone 12 Reproduced from client supplied digital mapping resources. C Ordnance Surveyof Ireland and Government of Ireland. Cloonadrone 11 Key M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Sites CPO/LMA Figure 1: E4062 / Cloondarone A, Site location.

RMP Drawn by: JMM 1st edit by: SN 2nd edit by: Signed off: Cloondarone 1 1003

Cloondarone 2 2003 2004

3003 Cloondarone 3

4003

Cloondarone 4

40124012

55016016 5007

50135013

50125012 Cloondarone 5

50045004

0 25 m

Burnt Mound M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Deposit/ Spread Modern Figure 2: E4062 / Cloondarone A, Clondarone 1-5. X = 145801.9550 Y = 239383.2010 Z = 72.0230

10031003

see figure 4

X = 145805.0320 Y = 239367.2640 Z = 72.0230

0 5 m

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Deposit Figure 3: E4062 / Cloondarone 1, Site layout. South facing section of slot 1 W E 33.8660 mOD

1002 1002 1002 1001 1004 1003 1004

North facing section of slot 1 E W 33.8653 mOD

1002 1003 1001 1003

Stone

0 0.5 m

Figure 4 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 1, North and south facing sections of burnt spread (1003). X = 142535.2054 Y = 249140.3709 Z = 33.8190

2003

2004

X = 142546.8578 Y = 249131.4855 Z = 33.8110

0 2.5 m

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Burnt mound Figure 5: E4062 / Cloondarone 2, Site layout. X = 142551.9660 Y = 249128.8160 Z = 33.8110

3003

see figure 7

X = 142553.2180 Y = 249113.0070 Z = 33.8110

0 5 m

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii).

Figure 6: E4062 / Cloondarone 3, Site layout. SE 33.8110 mOD

3003

3004

3003

3004

Charcoal

Stone

0 1 m

Figure 7 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 3, Northeast facing section of burnt spread (3003). X = 142541.4060 Y = 249112.1490 Z = 34.7500

see figure 10

Cloondarone 4

4003

40124012 40144014

40134013

see figure 9

50165016 see figure 12 Cloondarone 5

seesee figurefigure 1313

seesee figurefigure 1111 5007 55013013

5004

50125012

X = 142552.7930 Y = 249074.9060 Z = 34.5520 N

0 10 m

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Spread Modern Figure 8: E4062 / Cloondarone 4 and 5, Site layout. 4014

4012

4013

SE SE 35.5250 mOD

4008 4008 4006 4007

4008 4009

4012

Stone

0 1 m

Figure 9 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 4, Plan and southeast facing section of trough (4012). 3.5m SE 34.8350 mOD 4003 Test trench 4003

3.5m NW

4003 4001

4003

Charcoal

Stone

0 1 m

Figure 10 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 4, Northeast facing section of burnt spread (4003). 5013

0 1 m

Figure 11 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 5, Plan of possible trough (5013). 5016

E W 34.7000 mOD

5018

5017 5019

5020

5016

Stone

0 0.5 m

Figure 12 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 5, Plan and north facing section of possible trough (5016). E W 35.1310 mOD

5004

5002

Stone

0 1 m

Figure 13 - M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeology Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme,Co. Galway, stage (iii): E4062 / Cloondarone 5, North facing section of burnt mound (5004). Plate 1 - E4062/Cloondarone 1. Pre-excavation view of site, facing south.

Plate 2 - E4062/Cloondarone 1. Mid-excavation view of burnt spread (1003), facing west. Plate 3 - E4062/Cloondarone 1. Post-excavation view of site, facing northeast.

Plate 4- E4062/Cloondarone 3. Pre-excavation view of site, facing east. Plate 5 - E4062/Cloondarone 3. Mid-excavation view of burnt spread (3003), facing west.

Plate 6 - E4062/Cloondarone 4. Pre-excavation view of site, facing southeast. Plate 7 - E4062/Cloondarone 4. Post-excavation view of trough (4012), facing east southeast.

Plate 8 - E4062/Cloondarone 4. Mid-excavation of burnt spread (4003), facing northeast. Plate 9 - E4062/Cloondarone 5. Pre-excavation view of site, facing southwest.

Plate 10 - E4062/Cloondarone 5. Mid-excavation view of trough (5016), facing east. Plate 11 - E4062/Cloondarone 5. Mid-excavation view of burnt mound (5004), facing east.

Plate 12 - E4062/Cloondarone 5. Post-excavation view of site, facing north.