N11 RATHNEW TO ARKLOW ROAD IMPROVEMENT

NMSR No.: E3241 SITE A022/055

NGR: 327093/186891 TOWNLAND: BALLINACOR EAST COUNTY: WICKLOW

FINAL REPORT

ON BEHALF OF WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY

RED TOBIN

JUNE 2009

N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

ABSTRACT

This site is located in the townland of Ballinacor East c. 8km southwest of Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow. The archaeological excavation was carried out by Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd on behalf of Wicklow County Council and the National Roads Authority in advance of the construction of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement.

The site was initially identified during archaeological testing carried out by IAC Ltd. under the same contract during July 2005. The testing revealed a burnt or at the site, which consisted of a spread of black silty clay with frequent charcoal and heat-fractured stone, measuring 3.50m x 3.50m x 0.15m deep. To the north of the burnt material was a layer of non-heat affected stones. The stones were generally sub-round or sub-angular with frequent inclusions of cremated bone fragments recovered from between them. It was not possible to determine whether the bone was animal or at the time of testing. Sherds of prehistoric , dating to the were also recovered. Subsequent excavation has revealed a site characterised by a number of features, including a, as as the remains of a fulacht fiadh or burnt mound. The excavation area measured 20m x 20m which therefore totalled 400m².

The earliest activity on the site consisted of a sub-rectangular pit [C23], which was partially lined with contiguously set flat stones. It was initially interpreted as a pit, but due to osteological analysis, has subsequently been reinterpreted as a waste pit. The fill of the pit was characterised by banded layers of grey silt and charcoal rich material. Oak charcoal recovered from (C22), one of the fills of this pit (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5), was sent for AMS dating and returned a two sigma radiocarbon date of AD 1260-1390 (Wk20682, Appendix 2.4). This late date may be the result of disturbance from drain [C35]. The top fill of this pit, (C6), contained two pieces of flint, a flake and piece of , both of which appear to be Bronze Age or Neolithic (Sternke (Appendix 2.1). A further flint flake found at the natural subsoil/topsoil interface was also recognised as being probably Neolithic or Bronze Age (Sternke, Appendix 2.1).

The limits of this were defined by a number of shallow stakeholes {1003} which indicate the former presence of a light structure. Although the stratigraphic relationship is unclear, the structure may have been associated with the burning of animal bone. The pit produced 137 fragments of burnt bone, just one of which was identified to species: possible sus/pig phalanx (0.9g) representing one anatomical unit (McCarthy, Appendix 2.7).

Soil samples from the fill of this pit were examined and produced cereal grains and weed seeds (Johnston, Appendix 2.6). Particularly noticeable was the presence of a large quantity of edible seeds from the Knotweed/Dock family. Oat grains were also recovered, probably from wild plants.

Pottery recovered from this pit has been identified as fragments of two carinated bowls of Neolithic date (4000-3700 BC) (Grogan and Roche, Appendix 2.3).

There was also evidence of activity associated with a burnt mound, although this only consisted of the remains of the mound itself. Oak (Quercus spp), holly (Pomoideae), pomoideae (apple type) and alder (Alnus glutinosa) were identified from a sample of the main burnt mound spread (C8) (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5). The charcoal identified

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd i N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report indicates a selection of wood species from varied environments, as alder will grow in wetland conditions while holly, pomoideae and oak are indicative of a somewhat drier environment.

No trough was recorded during the excavations at this site. It is possible further features lay beyond the limits of excavation and some displacement of material is likely to have happened over time. It is also possible a portable trough which left no archaeological record was used. The burnt mound may have been associated with the waste pit although no date has been established for the mound and it may also have been a result of later activity.

A single sherd of 18th or 19th Century Buckley ware was recovered from the topsoil (Mccutcheon, Appendix 2.2)

ii Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The archaeological excavation at Ballinacor East, Co. Wicklow was carried out on behalf of Wicklow County Council and the National Roads Authority in advance of the construction of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement.

Consulting Engineers Engineer – Halcrow Barry Consulting Engineers Resident Engineer – Steve Hannaby and Rob Merridew

RDO Wicklow County Council Senior Engineer – Tom O’Leary Project Archaeologist – Noel Dunne Project Liaison Officer – Ruwelly Shenje

National Monuments, DoEHLG Archaeologist – Martin Reid

Irish Antiquities Division, National Museum of Ireland Keeper – Nessa O’Connor

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CONTENTS

Abstract i

Acknowledgements iii

Contents iv

List of Figures vi

List of Plates vi

1 Introduction 1 1.1 Site Location 1 1.2 The Scope of the Project 1 1.3 Circumstances and Dates of Fieldwork 2

2 Archaeological Background 3 2.1 Project Location and Site Topography 3 2.2 Archaeological Landscape 3 2.2.1 Neolithic Landscape (4000 – 2400 BC) 5 2.2.2 Bronze Age Landscape (2400 – 500 BC) 6 2.2.3 Site Specific Background 11 2.2.4 Typological Background of Burnt 12

3 Methodology 14 3.1 Introduction 14 3.2 Methodology 14 3.3 Report production methodology 14

4 Excavation Results 16 4.1 Group I: Natural Drift Geology 16 4.2 Group II: Neolithic Activity 17 4.3 Group III: Undated Activity 20 4.4 Group IV: Post Medieval Activity 23 4.5 Group V: Topsoil 24

5 Discussion 25 5.1 Physical Setting 25 5.2 Summary of the Site Specific Archaeological Landscape 25 5.3 Summary of Excavation Results 25 5.4 Summary of Specialist Analysis 26 5.4.1 Lithic Report - Dr Farina Sternke 26 5.4.2 Post-Medieval and Modern Pottery Report - Clare McCutcheon 26 5.4.3 Prehistoric Pottery Report – Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche 26 5.4.4 Radiocarbon Dating Results – Waikato University Laboratory 26 5.4.5 Charcoal and Wood ID Report – Ellen O’ Carroll 26 5.4.6 Seeds Analysis – Penny Johnston 27 5.4.7 Osteological Report of Burnt Bone – Aoife McCarthy 27 5.5 Discussion 27

6 Bibliography 29

Figures

iv Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Plates

Appendix 1 Catalogue of Primary Data Appendix 1.1 Context Register Appendix 1.2 Artefact Catalogue Appendix 1.3 Archive Index Appendix 2 Specialist Reports Appendix 2.1 Lithic Report - Dr Farina Sternke Appendix 2.2 Post-Medieval and Modern Pottery Report - Clare McCutcheon Appendix 2.3 Prehistoric Pottery Report – Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche Appendix 2.4 Radiocarbon Dating Results – Waikato University Laboratory Appendix 2.5 Charcoal and Wood ID Report – Ellen O’ Carroll Appendix 2.6 Seeds Analysis – Penny Johnston Appendix 3 List of N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Site Names

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List of Figures Figure 1 Site A022/055 E3241, Site location on OS Discovery Series Background Figure 2 Site A022/055 E3241, Showing RMP and OS background Figure 3 Site A022/055 E3241, Detail of site within development Figure 4 Site A022/055 E3241, Post-excavation plan Figure 5 Site A022/055 E3241, Section through [C23], the burnt mound and [C4] Figure 6 Site A022/055 E3241, Site Matrix

List of Plates Plate 1 Site pre-excavation, facing southwest Plate 2 Stone lining [C24] and fills of possible cremation pit, alongside burnt mound material (C8) mid-excavation, facing northeast Plate 3 Possible cremation pit [C23] mid-excavation, facing west Plate 4 Southeast facing section of burnt mound

vi Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

1 INTRODUCTION

This final stratigraphic report provides comment and analysis on the excavation carried out in the townland of Ballinacor East, Co. Wicklow (Figures 1, 2 and 3) as part of an archaeological mitigation program associated with the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. Archaeological fieldwork was directed by Red Tobin of Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd. (IAC Ltd.) and was funded by Wicklow County Council and the National Roads Authority.

1.1 Site Location This site is located in Ballinacor East townland, Dunganstown parish and the barony of Arklow to the immediate west of the current N11, c. 8km southwest of Wicklow Town (County Wicklow OS sheet 41). The site is:

• Site Ballinacor East, Ministerial Direction No. A022/055, NMS Registration No.: E3241, route chainage (Ch) 9960, NGR 327093/186891

The site was identified on low lying land adjacent to a stream, as a result of a test trenching exercise undertaken by IAC Ltd. under the same contract in July 2005 (Ministerial Direction A022/009, Gill McLoughlin/David Bayley). The route was divided into 14 different test areas for the initial ground testing / assessment phase. Testing results revealed a possible fulacht fiadh at the site, which consisted of a spread of black silty clay with frequent charcoal and heat-fractured stone, measuring 3.5m x 3.5m x 0.15m deep. To the north of the burnt material was a layer of non-heat affected stones. The stones were generally sub-round or sub-angular with frequent inclusions of cremated bone fragments recovered from between them. It was not possible to determine whether the bone was animal or human at the time of testing. Sherds of prehistoric pottery, dating to the Neolithic were also recovered. Subsequent excavation has revealed a site characterised by a number of features, including possible mortuary practices, as well as the remains of a fulacht fiadh or burnt mound. The excavation area measured 20m x 20m which therefore totalled 400m².

The site was located on low-lying land, adjacent to a small stream. The land was previously used for pasture. The limits of excavation were in accordance with the area recommended for investigation in the test report. The site lay 75m to the north of Site A022/054 and 125m east-southeast of Site A022/056.

1.2 The Scope of the Project The proposed N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement is located between the northern limit of the N11 Arklow By-pass in the townland of Ballinaskea and the southern limit of the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement in the townland of Ballinaclogh, County Wicklow. It consists of approximately 16.3km of new dual carriageway, approximately 19km of new single carriageway local, regional and accommodation access roads, two grade separated interchanges, and several bridge/culvert river crossings. There are also a significant number of minor road realignments/modifications included in the scheme.

The route commences at the north end of the full width dual carriageway section of the N11 Arklow By-pass. It involves the widening of the existing N11 corridor on it’s east side as far as Scratenagh Cross Roads where it crosses the proposed mainline to run generally on-line with widening to the west side of the existing carriageway.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd 1 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

An overbridge is proposed immediately north of Scratenagh to allow local traffic from adjacent county roads to cross over the dual carriageway. Access to existing communities and properties adjacent to the existing N11 will be maintained by the provision of an all-purpose local access road which will run parallel to the proposed dual carriageway. This all purpose road (to be called the R772) will utilise significant lengths of existing N11 carriageway, with new single carriageway constructed where required to complete the route.

The proposed dual carriageway alignment passes west of Jack White’s Cross Roads and a grade-separated interchange is proposed at this location to provide local access from the all purpose road. Continuing north the alignment follows the line of the existing N11 to Kilmurry North where the preferred route then runs off-line to the east before crossing over the existing N11 at Ballinameesda Upper adjacent to Lil Doyle’s Public House. It then swings to the northwest, off the line of the existing N11, passing between the townlands of Ballinameesda Upper and Ballinameesda Lower before sweeping northeast. Access will be maintained by the construction of three new underbridges where the proposed mainline crosses the existing side roads on the L5664 to Kilbride, the L5158 to Kilboy and the L1157 to Ballinameesda Upper.

To the north of Ballinameesda Upper the alignment runs parallel and to the west of the existing carriageway swinging from a northwest line at Ballinameesda Upper to a northeast direction at Roscath. This alignment avoids crossing the line of the existing N11 at the Tap which enables the existing N11 to be used as an all purpose road for local traffic between the Beehive and Jack White’s.

North of Coolacork and Roscath the preferred route will run parallel with the west side of the N11 until it reaches the R751 and the ‘The Beehive’ junction. A second grade-separated interchange is proposed just to the west of ‘The Beehive’ junction. Thereafter the preferred route converges on the tie-in point with the south end of the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement near Ballinaclogh.

1.3 Circumstances and Dates of Fieldwork The excavations were undertaken to offset the adverse impact of road construction on known and potential subsoil archaeological remains in order to preserve these sites by record.

Topsoil stripping of the area commenced on 27/04/2006. The order and date of the excavation was as follows:

Cleaning back and pre-excavation planning commenced on 02/05/2006 with a team of one field director, one supervisor, four assistant archaeologists and three general operatives.

• All features were subsequently fully excavated and recorded by hand, using the single context recording system with plans and sections being produced at a scale of 1:50 or 1:20 (sections were recorded generally at 1:10) and photographs where necessary.

• Excavation and recording of all features were completed by 12/05/2006.

The archive is currently stored in IAC’s facility in Lismore, Co Waterford and will ultimately be deposited with the National Museum of Ireland. All excavation and post excavation works were carried out in consultation and agreement with the Project

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Archaeologist, the National Monuments Section of the DOEHLG and the National Museum of Ireland.

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2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

2.1 Project Location and Site Topography Wicklow is a coastal county in the southeast corner of Ireland. It has an area of 2025 square kilometres of diverse topography and 40km of coastline along the Irish Sea. The physical characteristics of the county have created two dramatically different environments, divided by a ridge of granite known as the Wicklow Mountains that extend south from Dublin Bay as far as Mount Brandon in Co Kilkenny. The soils of the county have developed on glacial materials deposited by successive glaciations. Generally, the soils in the county are fertile except for the peaty podzols, notable in the central upland areas (Stout 1994).The lowland coastal plains with fertile glacial soils are on the east whilst the peaty podzols in the upland mountainous region of the northwest and southwest pose a more isolated terrain. The Ballinaskea to Ballinaclogh section of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement travels approximately south to north through relatively flat countryside in the southeast of County Wicklow. There are gentle hills in the area, for example, Ballymurrin and Ballinameesda Upper and Lower – but generally the landscape is below 120m. Drainage is provided by small rivers, such as Potter’s River, Three Mile Water River, Redcross River and the many streams and tributaries feeding into them. Much of the land through which the proposed route passes are grazing fields, and there are boggy areas in several places, such as Roscath, Ballinameesda Upper, Togher, Ballyclogh North, Scratenagh and Cranagh. Plantation forestry exists in the townland of Ballinameesda Upper, mainly overlying the poorer land and pockets of mature woodland occur in Ballard Upper and Lower and Ballyrogan Lower.

Traditionally this is an area consisting of good farmland and through the practices of farming the enclosed landscape has changed very little from 1838 (the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map). The majority of the land is under pasture with little tillage. A survey of the townland names of the region has revealed that they clearly reflect the topography and land use of this small area, particularly before the advent of intensive farming and land drainage schemes. The townland names echo a landscape of scrubby thickets, pasture, perhaps cultivated hazel and willow groves and one or two ploughed fields, punctuated with a few small churches and houses; a landscape that alternates between small rock-strewn hills and low marshy basins (Margeret Gowen Ltd., 2004). It was determined that none of the names of the thirty townlands through which this stretch of road passes relates directly to pre-Christian monuments.

The site was located in Ballinacor East townland, Dunganstown parish and the barony of Arklow to the immediate east of the current N11, c. 8km southwest of Wicklow Town.

2.2 Archaeological Landscape As part of the general research along the scheme and the particular research focussed on the site, the known archaeology from the surrounding environment was assessed. This involved the review of information from the EIS (Margeret Gowen Ltd., 2004), SMR records, previous excavations and developments, as well as any other relevant documentary sources including mapping, and the results of other excavations carried out as part of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. It also involved typological research based on the nature and date of the excavated archaeology. The excavation at the site revealed burnt mound activity.

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2.2.1 Neolithic Background (4000 – 2400BC) During the Neolithic Period (4000 – 2400 BC), the population in general became more settled, with a subsistence based on crop growing and stock-raising. The coastal plains of east Wicklow are thought to have witnessed the interface between and Neolithic activities in the area. However, the distribution and frequency of Megalithic Tombs constructed during the Neolithic indicates a dramatic shift from a coastal to an upland economy. The mountains of northwest Wicklow and the area of land which lies to the south of Rathdrum and eastwards towards Brittas are the key areas for Megalithic construction. Passage tombs represent the first substantial pattern of settlement and in turn are suggestive of a significant rise in the economic sustainability and affluence of the area. A single portal tomb is known near Brittas (WI036-008) located approximately 2km east of the N11. The small amount of other located in the east coastal lowlands are unclassified.

Prior to the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement there were no known settlement sites dated to the Neolithic in the area. Evidence of Neolithic activity within the environs of the development stems from the discovery of random artefacts, often the only indicator of Neolithic activity in the vast areas without the presence of tombs. A mace head was found in Dunganstown East townland and a possible mace head was discovered in Ballynapark townland, both of which may well indicate prehistoric activity. A mace head is a worked stone object, which was probably attached to a wooden staff (a mace) and used during ceremonies. The example from Ballynapark, made of fine grained quartz sandstone, was found during the harrowing of fields on the west side of the N11 Arklow to Wicklow road at Jack White’s Crossroads. Both ends of the stone are naturally blunt and there is no evidence for wear that might indicate use as a hammer, though one edge had been worn smooth and flat (Halcrow Barry Ltd. 2004).

Several polished stone axeheads have also been discovered as isolated finds in south Co. Wicklow. However, none have been found in the vicinity of the current development route. One of the most interesting finds was a pair of porcellainite axeheads from Killamoat, approximately 35km to the west of the N11, which are thought to have originated in Rathlin Island or Tievebulliagh in northeast Ireland (Stout 1994, 11). O’ Nualláin has established the significance of coasts and rivers in the diffusion of the Neolithic ritual tombs, identifying a seaborne movement of communities into Wicklow during the 3rd Millennium BC (Stout 1994, 11).

A known flint scatter (WI 031:045) at Coolbeg was directly impacted by the development of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. A grey flint head was also found in the 1950s in Coolbeg. An intensive field survey of the RMP site was conducted as part of the current project, which produced artefacts from four fields (Site A022/066). The presence of small pieces of debitage suggests that lithic production took place at the site. After analysis, the assemblage was determined to be probably (c. 2500 BC) or early Bronze Age in date based on the use of a bipolar smash-and-see that is synonymous with the Bronze Age (Sternke, 2007).

Some struck flints have been identified during the archaeological monitoring by Martin Byrne (99E0684) of the excavation of trial-pits for engineering/geotechnical purposes along the route of the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement (Bennett 2000). In addition, an extensive lithic assemblage was recovered at the Johnstown South enclosure by Martin Fitzpatrick (96E0156: Bennett 1997) during archaeological investigations undertaken as part of the N11 Arklow By- pass. A large concentration of lithic material was uncovered in Ballynamuddagh

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townland, at the top of a steeply sloped field, on the north-western face of Bray Head, northeast Wicklow. The hoard comprises forty one cores, sixty flakes, six scrapers and two spalls. It is thought to represent a group of lithics collected at another location and deliberately deposited (00E0692: Bennett 2001). Many of these sites are associated with Bronze Age finds, as at Johnstown South.

Two sites on the scheme recorded Neolithic material. Ballymoyle Sites A022/019 and A022/020 both contained assemblages of lithics which were dated typologically to the Neolithic. One hundred and thirty six lithics were found from the archaeological investigations of two pits at Site A022/019. Site A022/020, located a further 70m to the north, comprised of a large settlement site of thirty four pits, postholes and stakeholes and produced forty-five lithic finds. While the assemblages were Neolithic in origin, the dates retrieved from Site A022/020 were between 1210 – 930 BC and 1420 – 1050 BC placing this site in a middle / middle-late Bronze Age context. While the dates for Site A022/020 indicate Bronze Age activity, the presence of the Neolithic assemblages at both sites certainly indicates Neolithic activity in the area. Five sites on the scheme were dated to the Neolithic period: Sites A022/021, 024, 050, 053 and 057. All but one site, Site A022/057, comprised of burnt spreads. Site A022/057 comprised of two pits.

2.2.2 Bronze Age Landscape (2400 – 500 BC) It is in the Bronze Age that substantial evidence for settlement in this area emerges. According to Stout (1994), there are several groupings or foci of known Bronze Age activity within Wicklow; four of which she identifies west of the Wicklow mountains. The evidence for at least three areas of activity along the east in the area under discussion were also outlined, but not in as much detail. Most notably there is a focus of sites, such as standing stones, burials and , along the Avoca valley.

The discovery of a fragmented gold torc also gives credence to Bronze Age activity in this region as twisted gold torcs normally date to c. 1200 - 900 BC (the later Bronze Age). The fragment appears to have traces of an original hooked terminal, thought to be a specifically Irish form, while the other end has been broken and hammered flat, possibly in modern times (NMI: 1980:111). Further evidence of activity in the area during this period of is reflected in a small bronze axe found during ploughing in 1982, in Coolbeg. The end of a socketed bronze axe dating to the later Bronze Age was discovered in the spoil of a site at Ballynapark (Site A022/035) near Jack Whites cross roads. The blade end appears to have broken in antiquity, possibly after being embedded in timber or possibly in the moulding process. This site was near to several others with Bronze Age activity, including one possible industrial site, featuring pits and fire reddened clay (Site A022/034) which produced a date range of 2290 – 1960 BC and 2140 – 1910 BC.

Ritual Only two of the ten known areas of rock art dating to this period are located in the west, with the majority being clustered in the southeast near standing stones west of the Avoca valley (Stout 1994, 13). The frequency and distribution of ritual sites around the southeast of Wicklow is not reflected in the archaeological record of recent excavations in the region. A Bronze Age enclosure in Johnstown South (WI041-005), 4km north of Arklow town. This large sub-circular banked enclosure revealed extensive activity throughout the site (96E0156: Bennett 1997). Several furnaces and indicate that this site was a centre of , also involved in producing flint artefacts (hollow-based , scrapers, blades, a barbed and tanged and a leaf-shaped arrowhead) and pottery. A number of ring ditches on the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement

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may indicate ritual activity, but generally consist of burial monuments with cremation pits. However, Site 27 (02E1434; Bennett 2003) Mount Usher consisted of a single, large, ring ditch enclosing an internal structure marked by post-holes. Within the structure, there was evidence of a possible cremation . Evidence for at least three cremation burials was also found. The structural elements and associated possible cremation pyre suggest a ritual activity at this site.

Burial During the late Neolithic and Bronze Age periods, a simple earthen mound known as a was used to cover burials. One of the only recorded prehistoric monuments in proximity to this lower section of the N11 is a tumulus at Coolmore (WI 036:021), which lies to the northeast of a complex of burnt mounds at Scratenagh. Other monuments associated with burial in the Bronze Age are barrows. These are earthen burial monuments, which consist of a circular area surrounded by a fosse often with an external bank. Barrows are often grouped together in cemeteries, but in the Archaeological Inventory of Co. Wicklow, all known examples are isolated (Grogan and Kilfeather 1997, 15). Grogan found that burial sites (i.e. cremation cemeteries) were often located along floodplains and rivers in areas of poor soils, whereas associated settlement sites would have been preferably located upon the higher river terraces. Therefore, many of these burials may have been destroyed or removed through intensive farming concentrated in the east lowlands.

The term ring-ditch is applied to barrows with a flat centre, several of which were excavated on the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement to the north, such as at Killadreenan (02E0735: Bennett 2003). These sites are also thought to date to the Bronze Age (c.2400 – 500 BC) and early (500 BC - AD 400). They were initially thought to be isolated phenomena in the landscape, such as the ring ditch recorded in Rosanna Upper (WI025–036) to the northwest of Rathnew. However, an extensive ring ditch cemetery is listed at Kilpoole Upper c. 400m from the coast (Stephenson 2004, 27). – stone covered burials, are known from the summits of the Great Sugar Loaf in north Wicklow (near Ballyremon Commons). However, the most frequent type of recorded burial along the east lowlands appears to comprise of – earthen or stone lined pits. Examples of known burials in southeast Wicklow are found at Glenteige (WI040-036, 7), at Ballynerrin near Wicklow town (WI025-014) and at Knockanree Lower (WI035-041) (Stout 1994, 38); with a Bronze Age cemetery excavated in Ballinagore (94E175: Bennett 1995). Unfortunately, these are usually found by chance during ploughing or gravel quarrying, as they are generally unmarked on the surface.

Settlement The distribution of Bronze Age settlement left the east lowlands of Co Wicklow relatively lacking in substantial settlement or ritual activity, when compared to the northwest and southwest regions. A major excavation on the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement revealed a large prehistoric enclosure at Rathmore. Several pits in the interior were discovered, one of which produced a cremation urn. However, no structures were apparent. This high ridged area has been interpreted as a focus of intense Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual activity. Most interestingly a large complex of burnt mounds was discovered here adding to the economic and secular importance of the area. These will be further discussed later. The visual link of the Rathmore enclosure to features across the ravine in the adjacent townland of Kilmartin suggests related activity. Sites at Kilmartin produced large quantities of both lithics and pottery dating to this period proving these sites to be of importance during the late Neolithic and Bronze Age.

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A Bronze Age settlement site was recently discovered at Kilbride near the banks of the Potters River comprising of an oval foundation trench, diameter 7.5m, with several postholes thought to delineate an entrance (97E324: Bennett 1998). On a much larger scale in the northeast of the county, south of Kilmacanoge, a round house of the double-ringed form, with an outer wall slot and internal ring of roofing posts was discovered on a multi-period settlement site (01E0572: Bennett 2002). A number of well established settlement sites are known in the northern half of Wicklow. In recent excavations, a large scale settlement site was discovered in Ballynamuddagh (00E0696: Bennett 2001). Another was found at Cooladangan (A003/053) near the southern boundary of Co. Wicklow in the course of the construction of the N11 Arklow By-pass.

Excavations at Charlesland, located in the northeast of the county to the south of Greystones, Co. Wicklow and to the east of the N11 have revealed an area of high status Bronze Age settlement and ritual activity. In addition to the settlement sites (03E0018 and 03E1028: Bennett 2004) and ring ditch enclosures associated with , several large burnt mounds were also discovered. One site in particular, a large burnt mound with a wood and lined pit, revealed a set of wooden musical instruments at the base of the trough during excavation (03E0592: Bennett 2004). Within this vicinity several similar sites were uncovered at Killincarrig (93E0001 & 93E0001ext.: Bennett 1994).

Burnt Mounds Fulachta fiadh are an integral part of the prehistoric landscape in Ireland, providing significant evidence of activity with little artefact deposition. Surprisingly, they also form the highest frequency of a single prehistoric monument in Ireland and over the years have generated much interest and interpretation of their function. Current available dates suggest that the tradition of building and using burnt mounds spans most of the early, middle and late Bronze Age (although there would appear to be a concentration of use in the middle Bronze Age). In Ireland, early literary accounts of the use of troughs for purposes have been cited as evidence that burnt mounds were common as late as the 16th century AD (O’ Drisceoil, 1988). There are seventeen recorded fulachta fiadh in the Co. Wicklow inventory (Grogan & Kilfeather 1997). Between 1980 and 2003 seventy three licensed excavations have been undertaken on burnt mounds, spreads and fulachta fiadh in Wicklow (Bennett, 1987- 2005).

The distribution of burnt mounds in Co. Wicklow tends to be concentrated in the east, a narrow plain based on Paleozoic rocks and adjacent to streams or lakes. The glacial drift of sandstones and flagstones are favoured by those in the construction of fulachta fiadh, however, gley soils contribute to poor drainage, providing a possible explanation for the lack of other Bronze Age sites (Condit, 1990, 20). Of the sixteen fulachta fiadh detailed in the Archaeological Inventory of Co. Wicklow, three groups are located at the foot of Djouce Mountain in proximity to the Vartry River or other streams running into the Vartry (Grogan and Kilfeather, 1997). These represent the farthest known inland sites in Wicklow. Unfortunately the majority of excavated evidence for fulachta fiadh is derived from N11 improvement schemes which have, unavoidably, produced a bias for the overall distribution of this monument in the landscape. However, the recorded fulachta fiadh in Co. Wicklow are located in the east lowlands of the county with a few outliers, such as at Ballyremon Commons, lining the base of the mountains. Approximately thirty two out of seventy three excavations occurred within proximity and clear sight of a river/stream and were evidently waterlogged, whilst the majority of sites are located within 5km of the coast (along the N11 corridor).

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In the townlands of Ballyremon Commons (WI007:047, 048; WI012:005, 006; licence ref. 0219122) and Sraghmore (WI012:062:2, 3, 4) fulachta fiadh are grouped in close vicinity, while at Glasnamullan (WI012:054, 055, 056) a trio of sites may also represent a small complex. This might suggest that when one fulacht fiadh became unusable, another was simply dug nearby. It might also indicate that the locations were specifically chosen and visited over many years or even over several generations. Salvage excavation and surveying was undertaken by Victor Buckley in 1983 (licence ref. 0219122) at Ballyremon Commons in north Co. Wicklow, producing a date of c. 1400 BC. Ballyremon Commons is surrounded by raised bog (Calary Bog to the east). Excavation revealed a sub-rectangular clay lined pit, in which a large quartzite slab and a trio of stakes (perhaps forming a tripod construction within the pit) were found. One of the stakes yielded a middle Bronze Age date for the use of the pit.

Lying 15 – 17 km to the northwest of this scheme, this area has been interpreted as encapsulating a complete Bronze Age settlement pattern (habitation on the higher, better drained bog island and fulachta fiadh at the wetland margin and burial monuments in a prominent, but isolated position). Furthermore Buckley suggested that the use of quartzite during the heating process resulted in higher resistance and less cracking, and as a result less shattered debris would be created. This may explain the previously low numbers of known fulachta fiadh in Co. Wicklow (Buckley 1998, 112).

Two burnt mounds and one large fulacht fiadh were revealed in 1993 in the townland of Killincarrig (93E0001 and ext.: Bennett 1994) c. 1km northwest of Charlesland, where a series of similar sites were exposed. Unusually Charlesland 1 (03E0592: Bennett 2004), a burnt mound with four troughs, unearthed wooden pipes, which were interpreted as a musical instrument, at the base of a wood and wattle lined trough. This group of sites is located less than 1km inland from the coast. A large number of fulachta fiadh has been revealed along a section of the realigned N11 in the area south of Cullenmore townland and north of Ashford village. The most notable complex was revealed in the townland of Rathmore (01E0471: Bennett 2002) between Kilmartin and Inchanappa, where twenty four burnt mounds were excavated as part of the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement, over a stretch of landscape running c. 800m. The majority of the mounds found at Rathmore were each associated with a single rectangular trough, returning dates from the Bronze Age c.2000 – 500 BC. There was a collection of high status finds from these sites, including flint scrapers, flint flakes, a flint and a possible fragment of Bronze Age gold ring money. Three burnt mounds and one small spread of burnt mound material were excavated at the site at Inchanappa South (04E1717: Bennett 2005). The sites were located in the small valley of a tributary of the Vartry River, an area prone to being quite wet.

Newly discovered archaeological sites, uncovered as a result of the construction of the N11 Newtownmountkennedy to Ballynabarney Road Improvement included a number of burnt mounds, or fulachta fiadh (e.g. in Ballyhenry and Inchanappa).

Sixty three sites were identified and excavated along the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement, of which thirty two have been interpreted as representing the remains of burnt mounds, fulachta fiadh and/or shallow burnt spreads. Five sites produced dates from the Neolithic Period – Sites A022/021, 050, 053, 057 and 064. Three sites produced dates representing late Neolithic-early Bronze Age activity – Site A022/024, 050 and 063. The majority of the sites, however, produced dates from

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the early and middle Bronze Age. The early Bronze Age activity was recorded at Sites A022/017, 027, 032, 034, 035, 041, 044, 050, 054, 060, 061, 063, 071, 073 and 074. Three sites returned dates from the cusp of the early / middle Bronze Age: Sites A022/022, A022/038 and A022/053. Middle Bronze Age activity was identified at Sites A022/017, 020, 026, 043, 044, 045, 046, 052, 053 and 063.

Five burnt mound sites showed evidence of activity across a number of periods. Site A022/017 in Ballinaskea, Site A022/044 in Ballyclogh North and Site A022/063 in Roscath show evidence for both early Bronze Age and middle Bronze Age activity. Site A022/050 in Kilmurry North produced Neolithic and late Neolithic-early Bronze Age dates, while Site A022/053 Ballyvaltron had a Neolithic and middle Bronze Age date. The complex of mounds and spreads at Coolacork (Sites A022/061 and A022/062) and Roscath (Site A022/063) had the most significant date range with dates from the late Neolithic, early and middle Bronze Age and late Bronze Age. This was the only burnt mound site to produce a late Bronze Age date 1210 – 930 BC and the range of dates clearly shows a continuation of settlement in this area. Nine sites from the scheme were undated.

There are six distinct groups or complexes of burnt mounds along the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement comprising 26 sites in total, whereas the rest of the six burnt mounds excavated remain in our knowledge as isolated phenomena. The range of dating for these sites indicates a sequence and continuation of activity from the Neolithic through to the Bronze Age.

The first complex was identified in Ballinaskea where Site A022/017 returned dates between 1430 – 1120 BC and 2210 – 1970 BC. This is associated with four nearby examples, two of which were previously excavated in association with the N11 Arklow By-pass and two RMP sites. These were located less than 300m away in Johnston North (97E207, 97E0252, WI041-004, WI041-007,).

Four sites ranging in date from the late Neolithic to the middle Bronze Age were identified in Scratenagh – Sites A022/021, 022, 023, 024 and 026. These range in date from 2630 – 2350 BC and 1381 – 1001 BC, with Site A022/023 dating to the Iron Age (390 – 200 BC). While Site A022/023 produced an Iron Age date, it is interpreted that the burnt mound is Bronze Age and that the dated feature was not associated.

In Ballynapark there were three sites – Sites A022/035, 037 and 038 – with a further two sites nearby in Cloghoge – Sites A022/039 and A022/081 and one nearby in Cranagh Site A022/032. This complex of sites is dated to the early and middle Bronze Age ranging in date from 2130 – 1880 BC and 1520 – 1390 BC.

Similar date ranges were recorded for six sites in Ballyclogh North and South – Sites A022/040, 041, 043, 044, 045 and 046 ranging in date from 2020 – 1770 BC and 1320 – 1000 BC.

Five sites were identified in Kilmurry South (Sites A022/047 and 048), Kilmurry North (Site A022/050) and Ballyvarton (Sites A022/052 and 053). This complex contained some of the earliest dated burnt mounds on the scheme ranging from the Neolithic to the middle Bronze Age with dates from 3959 – 3695 BC and 1270 – 1010 BC.

The final complex was centred on the townlands of Coolacork (Sites A022/061 and A022/062) and Roscath (Site A022/063) which have already been referred to above. These ranged in date from 2460 – 2040 BC and 1210 – 930 BC.

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The burnt mound sites from the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement provide evidence of continuity of settlement from the Neolithic through the Bronze Age with a clear peak of activity in the early and middle Bronze Age. This continuity of settlement is also evidenced by the number of complexes or groups of sites across the scheme, all of which have produced a range of dates.

2.2.3 Site Specific Background The immediate landscape in Ballinacor East contained a number of sites with burnt mound material that returned dates in the early Neolithic and early Bronze Age. These sites were located between 100–400 m to the south (Site A022/054), west (Site A022/056) and northwest (Site A022/057) of this site (Site A022/055) which consisted of a pit and burnt mound material. Early Neolithic pottery was recovered from the pit and a sample of oak also from the pit returned a two sigma radiocarbon date range of AD 1260-1390 (WK 20682 Appendix 2.4), however this was interpreted as being related to later disturbance.

To the south of this site (Site A022/055) in the same field was Site A022/054, at chainage 9870. This site was made up of a ‘pot boiler’ type pit, filled with burnt mound material with an accompanying posthole. The pit fill gave a 2 sigma date range of 1950 – 1740BC placing this activity in the early Bronze Age.

Site A022/053 was located c.1.3 km to the south of this site (Site A022/055), at chainage 8660-8700 in the townland of Ballyvaltron. This site was made up of a group of pits and postholes dated to the early Neolithic and burnt mound activity dating to the middle Bronze Age. Like the stone lined pit on the present site, features from the Neolithic phase of this site contained sherds of early Neolithic Carinated Bowl pottery. This early Neolithic date was supported by AMS dating and analysis of worked quartz found in a posthole which was also found to be probably Neolithic. The subsequent phase of burnt mound type activity was dated to the middle Bronze Age, 1730 – 1440BC (WK20833) with a lithic assemblage that was cautiously dated to the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age. Only one of these lithics was recovered from the burnt mound itself with the rest coming from the topsoil.

Adjacent to this site (Site A022/055) in Ballyvaltron townland was another burnt spread (Site A022/052) with an associated trough and pit. A sample from a fill of the trough returned a 2 sigma calibrated date of 1270 – 1010BC placing it in the mid/late Bronze Age.

Approximately 1.6km to the south of this site, at chainage 8335, was Site A022/050, a burnt mound located in the townland of Kilmurry North. Dating of this site has placed it at the temporal overlap of the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age (2600- 2030 BC). Diagnostic examination of the lithics from this site suggests the assemblage most likely dates to the final phase of the Neolithic or the early Bronze Age. The similar results from suggest this site may be broadly contemporary with the burnt mound phase of activity at this site.

Site A022/056 was situated c.120 m to the west of this site (Site A022/055). This site consisted of burnt mound material and a number of drains. None of these features were dated although analysis of a piece of flint from the topsoil showed it to be Neolithic or Bronze Age.

Site A022/057 at chainage 10340, c.400m to the northwest, consisted of a pit containing burnt mound material that returned a 2 sigma calibrated date of 3770 –

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3520BC placing it in the early Neolithic. This feature may have been roughly contemporary with the stone lined pit on this site (Site A022/055).

850m northwest of this site (Site A022/055) was Site A022/059 which contained burnt mound material. This was not dated and no artefacts were recovered from it.

The evidence from nearby excavation suggests the surrounding area was occupied continuously from the early Neolithic period through to the middle to late Bronze Age period. Much of this activity is in the form of burnt mounds which is to be expected given the low-lying nature of the area; however the lack of definitive structures would seem to suggest that this landscape may have been peripheral to settlement areas.

2.2.4 Typological Background of Burnt Mounds The excavation at this site revealed archaeology related to burnt mound activity. Burnt mound sites (also commonly referred to as fulacht fiadh) are one of the most common field monuments found in the Irish landscape. The last published survey (Power et al. 1997), carried out over a decade ago, recorded over 7,000 burnt mound sites and in excess of 1,000 sites have been excavated in recent years through development led archaeological investigations. In spite of this no clear understanding of the precise function of these sites has been forthcoming.

Burnt mound sites are typically located in areas where there is a readily available water source, often in proximity to a river or stream or in places with a high water table. In the field burnt mounds may be identified as charcoal-rich mounds or spreads of heat shattered stones, however, in many cases the sites have been disturbed by later agricultural activity and are no longer visible on the field surface. Nevertheless even disturbed spreads of burnt mound material often preserves the underlying associated features, such as troughs, pits and gullies, intact.

Ó Néill (2003–2004, 82) has aptly identified these sites as the apparatus and by- product of pyrolithic technology. This technology involved the heating or boiling of water by placing fire-heated stones into troughs of water. Small shallow round- bottomed pits, generally referred to as pot boiler pits or roasting pits, are often associated with burnt mound sites. The purpose of these pits remains unclear. Occasionally large pits are also identified and may have acted as or . Linear gullies may extend across the site, often linked to troughs and pits, and demonstrate a concern with onsite water management. Post and stakeholes are often found on burnt mound sites and these may represent the remains of small structures or wind breakers.

Burnt mound sites are principally Bronze Age monuments and reach their pinnacle of use in the middle/late Bronze Age (Brindley et al. 1989−90; Corlett 1997). Earlier sites, such as Enniscoffey Co. Westmeath (Grogan et al. 2007, 96), have been dated to the Neolithic and later sites, such as Peter Street, Co. Waterford (Walsh, 1990, 47), have been dated to the medieval period. Thus although burnt mound sites generally form a components of the Bronze Age landscape, the use of pyrolithic technology has a long history in Ireland.

Although there is a general consensus that burnt mound sites are the result of pyrolithic technology for the heating or boiling of water, the precise function of these sites has, to date, not been agreed upon. Several theories have been proposed but no single theory has received unanimous support. The most enduring theory is that burnt mounds sites were used as cooking sites. O’Kelly (1954) and Lawless (1990) have demonstrated how joints of meat could be efficiently cooked in trough of boiling

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water. The use of burnt mound sites for bathing or as saunas has been suggested as an alternative function (Lucas 1965, Barfield and Hodder 1987, O’ Drisceoil 1988). This proposal is largely influenced by references in the early Irish literature to sites of a similar character and is very difficult to prove, or disprove. Others, such as Jeffrey (1991), argue that they may have been centres of textile production for the fulling or dyeing of cloth. More recent demonstrations by Quinn and Moore (2007) have shown that troughs could have been used for brewing, however, this theory has been criticised by leading Irish environmentalists due to the absence of cereal remains from most burnt mound sites (McClatchie et al. 2007).

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3 METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction The excavation at Site A022/055, Ballinacor East was undertaken as part of archaeological mitigation for the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement in the townland of Ballinacor East.

3.2 Methodology The topsoil was reduced to the interface between natural and topsoil using a 20 tonne excavator machine equipped with a flat toothless bucket under strict archaeological supervision. The remaining topsoil was removed by the archaeological team with the use of shovels, hoes and trowels in order to expose and identify the archaeological remains. A site grid was set up at 10m intervals and was subsequently calibrated to the national grid using GPS survey equipment.

All features were subsequently fully excavated by hand and recorded using the single context recording system with plans and sections being produced at a scale of 1:50, 1:20 or 1:10 as appropriate.

A complete photographic record was maintained throughout the excavation. Digital photographs were taken of all features and of work in progress.

An environmental strategy was devised at the beginning of the excavation. Features exhibiting large amounts of carbonised material were the primary targets.

Dating of the site was carried out by means of AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectometry) Radiocarbon Dating of identified and recommended charcoal samples as well as the analysis of pottery through typological study. All calibrated radiocarbon dates are quoted to two sigma.

All artefacts uncovered on site they were dealt with in accordance with the guidelines as issued by the NMI and where warranted in consultation with the relevant specialist. All artefacts, ecofacts and the paper archive are currently stored in IAC’s facility in Lismore, Co Waterford and will ultimately be deposited with the National Museum of Ireland

3.3 Report Production Methodology Groups and subgroups For the purpose of this report the archaeological remains are described by way of sub-groups (stratigraphically connected contexts, generally derived from a defined and stratigraphically independent archaeological action or sequence of actions). Groups define related sub-groups. Phasing of the site is based on the grouping of the groups, and this is described in the discussion (Section 5).

In the following text, the author has used three types of brackets: { } = These enclose Subgroup numbers. ( ) = These enclose Deposit/Fill numbers [ ] = These enclose both Cut and Masonry Structure numbers

The author has allocated Subgroup numbers starting from {1000} to avoid confusion with existing context numbers.

Example: • Subgroup {1400} consists of Cut [x] and fills (y) and (z)

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• Subgroup {1456} consists of Cut [a] and fill (b), Cut [c] and fill (d), Cut [e] and fill (f). Cuts [a], [c], and [e] have been shown to be related and can therefore be placed in one collective Subgroup.

All sites on the scheme have been referenced in the text with their site code and townland. A full list of sites from the scheme is available in Appendix 3.

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4 EXCAVATION RESULTS

4.1 GROUP I: Natural Drift Geology

4.1.1 Subgroup: {1001} Natural Drift Geology Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth Length Width Description Interpretation Area by (m) (m) (m) C2 Subsoil - - - - - Mid orangey, greyish brown silty Natural subsoil Site clay

Finds: Find # Context # Material Period Description E3241/A022/055:02:01 C2 Flint Prehistoric Flake

Interpretation: Deposit (C2) was the natural subsoil, which was consistent across the site. It was mid orangey, grey-brown silty clay with some stone inclusions of variable size and angularity. A single piece of flint pressed into the surface of this deposit has been identified as a late Neolithic/early Bronze Age flint flake (Sternke, Appendix 2.1), which may be related to activity outlined in Group II or III.

GROUP I Discussion: Natural Drift Geology

Group Subgroup Subgroup type Period by finds/stratigraphy Period by Group interpretation interpretation I 1001 Natural subsoil N/A N/A Natural subsoil

Deposit (C2) was the natural subsoil, which was consistent across the site. It was mid orangey, greyish brown silty clay with some stone inclusions of variable size and angularity.

4.2 GROUP II: Neolithic Activity

4.2.1 Subgroup {1002}: Stone-lined Pit [C23] Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth Length Width Description Interpretation by (m) (m) (m)

C6 Fill C23 0.10 3.20 1.40 Firmly compacted mid greyish sandy Fill of possible clay, 10% charcoal inclusions and waste pit occasional fragment of bone C20 Fill C23 0.03 1.00 0.80 Brownish black sandy clay, frequent Fill of possible (90%) charcoal fleck inclusions, waste pit occasional small pebbles and fragments of bone. Firm compaction C21 Fill C23 0.04 1.00 0.80 Mid orangey red clayey sand with Fill of possible moderate charcoal fleck inclusions, waste pit hard compaction C22 Fill C23 0.01 1.00 0.80 Dark brown to black sandy clay, Fill of possible frequent (80%) charcoal fleck waste pit inclusions, occasional small pebble inclusions, firm compaction C23 Cut C6, 0.25 3.20 1.40 Sub-rectangular in plan, sharp break of Cut of possible C20, slope at top, vertical sides, gradual to waste pit C21, imperceptible slope at the flat base C22, C24,

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C25 C24 Stone C23 0.05 0.80 0.55 Grouping of 8 flat sub-angular stones Base of possible setting within/surrounded by C6 waste pit C25 Stone C23 0.20 0.40 0.60 Grouping of 3 stones in the centre of Base of possible setting C6 waste pit

Finds: Find # Context # Material Period Description E3241/A022/055:06:01 C6 Flint Prehistoric Flake E3241/A022/055:06:02-04 C6 Pottery Early Neolithic Sherd E3241/A022/055:06:05-13 C6 Fe (natural panning?) N/A Worm casing E3241/A022/055:06:14-15 C6 Pottery Early Neolithic Sherd E3241/A022/055:06:16 C6 Flint Prehistoric Flake E3241/A022/055:20:01 C20 Pottery Early Neolithic Sherd

Interpretation: Sub-rectangular cut [C23] was oriented northeast – southwest and was lined with stone and filled by four successive deposits. The feature was truncated at its northern end by drain [C35], which ran east northeast-west southwest (Figure 4, Plates 2-4).

Pit [C23] measured 3.2m by 1.4m and had a maximum depth of 0.25m. It had straight vertical sides and a flat, slightly sloping base. The remains of a stone lining to this cut were still present consisting of two settings of flat, sub-angular stones, numbered (C24) to the north and (C25) to the south. Fill (C22) was a shallow firm, dark brown to black sandy clay with very frequent charcoal fleck inclusions and occasional small pebbles that sealed (C24) and (C25). Fill (C21) had a thickness of 0.04m and consisted of a mid orange-red clayey sand with moderate charcoal fleck inclusions. Its colour appeared to represent oxidisation. Fill (C20) was a brown-black sandy clay, with very frequent charcoal inclusions and occasional small pebbles and fragments of burnt bone. Fill (C6), which was 0.10m deep, consisted of firmly compacted grey sandy clay, with moderate charcoal inclusions, which also contained fragments of burnt bone. This fill also contained two pieces of worked flint; a flake and a piece of debitage which probably date from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age (Sternke, Appendix 2.1).

Fills (C20) and (C6) contained the fragmented remains of two Neolithic Carinated Bowls the type of which is extensively dated to between 4000 and 3700 BC (Grogan and Roche, Appendix 2.3). Oak charcoal recovered from (C22) was sent for AMS dating and returned a two sigma radiocarbon date of AD 1260-1390 (WK 20682 Appendix 2.4). This late date may be a result of disturbance by drain [C35]. A further sample of (C22) was sent for cereal analysis and was found to contain large quantities of seed from the knotweed/dock family as well as occasional bramble and apple seeds (Johnston, Appendix 2.6). The sample also contained oat grains which are considered to have come from wild plants (Johnston, Appendix 2.6).

Fill (C6) contained a total of 137 small burnt bone fragments. Just one fragment was identified to species: possible sus/pig phalanx (0.9g) representing one anatomical unit (McCarthy, Appendix 2.7). [C23] was initially interpreted as a possible cremation pit, but due to the confirmation of the presence of animal bone, it is more likely that the pit was used for waste disposal. No definite conclusions can be drawn from the bone assemblage due to its limited size and poor degree of bone preservation (ibid).

It is most likely that the stone settings were deliberately placed, and it is suggested these served to line the base of the pit. The fills seem to reflect successive burnings.

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Fills (C6) and (C20), with quantities of burnt bone and potsherds, can be directly associated with this burning activity.

4.2.2 Subgroup {1003}: Stakeholes Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth Length Width Description Interpretation by (m) (m) (m)

C9 Fill C29 0.01 0.08 0.08 Circular in plan, soft black clayey Fill of possible sand with charcoal inclusions stakehole within (6) C10 Fill C30 0.04 0.09 0.09 Circular in plan, soft black clayey Fill of possible sand with charcoal inclusions stakehole within (6) C11 Fill C31 0.01 0.08 0.08 Circular in plan, soft black clayey Fill of possible sand with charcoal inclusions stakehole within (6) C12 Fill C32 0.01 0.09 0.09 Circular in plan, soft black clayey Fill of possible sand with charcoal inclusions stakehole within (6) C13 Fill C33 0.01 0.09 0.09 Circular in plan, soft black clayey Fill of possible sand with charcoal inclusions stakehole within (6) C19 Fill C34 0.01 0.05 0.05 Circular in plan, soft dark brown Possible stakehole or clayey sand small patch of topsoil C29 Cut C9 0.01 0.08 0.08 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base C30 Cut C10 0.04 0.09 0.09 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base C31 Cut C11 0.01 0.08 0.08 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base C32 Cut C12 0.01 0.09 0.09 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base C33 Cut C13 0.01 0.09 0.09 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base C34 Cut C19 0.01 0.05 0.05 Circular cut with sharp break of Cut of possible slope at the top, near-vertical stakehole within (6) sides and slightly concave base

Finds: None

Interpretation: Six possible stakeholes were cut into (C6), the uppermost fill of pit [C23]. Although these were very shallow, they seemed to be set around the perimeter of pit [C23], cut into its uppermost fill (C6). Five of these, (C29), (C30), (C31), (C32) and (C33), were in a cluster at the northern end of (C6), while (C34) was in the southeast corner. To the northwest further stakeholes may have been removed by drain [C35] (Figure 4; Plate 2).

All these stakeholes had very shallow, seemingly vertical profiles, and were filled by soft black clayey sands, with charcoal inclusions. The fill (C19) had a paler colour and less charcoal was noted.

It is not clear what this arrangement of stakeholes represents. The fact that they were cut into (C6), the top fill of [C23], places them stratigraphically later and suggests they were the basis for some form of light structure built over the pit, perhaps to act as a visual marker.

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GROUP II Discussion: Neolithic Activity Group Subgroup Subgroup type Period by finds/stratigraphy Period by Group interpretation interpretation II 1002 Stone-Lined Pit [C23] Early Neolithic Neolithic Cremation pit II 1003 Stakeholes Early Neolithic Neolithic Structure above cremation pit

The earliest activity at this site was initially thought to have been associated with mortuary practices. However, the results of osteological analysis suggest that [C23] had functioned as a waste pit. This consisted of the digging of a sub-rectangular pit [C23], which was lined with contiguously set flat stones. The burning of the animal bone is likely to have taken place within this stone-lined pit evidenced by the strong orange-red colour of (C21). Neolithic Carinated Bowl pottery recovered from the pit suggest it dates from the early Neolithic (Grogan and Roche, Appendix 2.3). An AMS date indicating a date in the medieval period (WK 20682 Appendix 2.4) appears to be contaminated, possibly by [C35] which cut the pit at its northern end. Pieces of flint found in the top fill of this pit have been tentatively dated to the Neolithic/early Bronze Age (Sternke, Appendix 2.1). The limits of this feature were defined by a number of shallow stakeholes {1003}, which indicate the former presence of some sort of light structure which was either erected just before the burning took place or soon afterwards.

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4.3 GROUP III: Undated Activity

4.3.1 Subgroup: {1004} Burnt Mound Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth Length Width Description Interpretation by (m) (m) (m) C8 Spread 0.30 3.55 5.20 Black silty clay with charcoal and burnt Burnt mound stone inclusions, medium to firm spread compaction C14 Spread 0.28 2.0 1.80 Irregular shape in plan, soft orangey-grey Re-deposited sandy clay with occasional charcoal fleck layer of sandy inclusions clay within burnt mound C15 Spread 0.38 2.0 0.60 Irregular curved shape in plan. Black silty Re-deposited clay with charcoal and burnt stone spread of burnt inclusions, medium to firm compaction mound material C17 Spread 0.12 1.88 1.68 Irregular, curved shape in plan. Blackish Burnt mound grey clayey sand with occasional charcoal spread fleck inclusions C18 Spread 0.10 1.45 1.20 Irregular shape in plan, orange, possibly Burnt mound oxidised clay with occasional charcoal spread fleck inclusions and medium to soft compaction C26 Spread 0.18 0.70 0.54 Dark grey sandy clay with charcoal and Burnt mound burnt stone inclusions and medium spread compaction C27 Spread 0.28 >0.40 - Reddish orange sand with burnt stone Layer of burnt inclusions, iron panning and firm stones within compaction burnt mound spread C28 Spread 0.19 0.60 - Firmly compacted reddish grey sand with Probable frequent stone inclusions mixture of C15 & C27

Finds: None

Interpretation: The burnt mound was made up of eight deposits (Figure 5; Plate 1). (C18) was the earliest deposit and rested on the natural subsoil. It measured 1.45m by 1.2m, had a maximum depth of 0.10m and occupied the northern part of the burnt mound. This was a medium to soft clay that had an orange colour, perhaps a product of oxidisation. This and the occasional charcoal inclusions contained within it reflect the early activity at the burnt mound.

Deposit (C17) overlay (C18) and was similarly shallow, with a depth of 0.12m and was also located in the northern part of the burnt mound, measuring 1.88m by 1.68m. This was clearly distinguishable from (C18), being a black-grey clayey material, also with occasional charcoal fleck inclusions. Deposit (C8) was the most extensive spread making up the burnt mound; it covered an area measuring 5.2m by 3.55m sealing (C17) and (C18), with a depth of 0.3m. This material was characteristic burnt mound material, made up of black silty clay containing frequent angular and sub- angular heat-affected stones and frequent charcoal inclusions. Oak (Quercus spp), holly (Pomoideae), pomoideae (apple type) and alder (Alnus glutinosa) charcoal were identified from a sample of this spread (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5).

Three spreads (C14), (C27) and (C28) lay on top of (C8). Deposit (C14) was confined to the southern half of the burnt mound and consisted of soft orange-grey sandy clay with occasional charcoal fleck inclusions. It reached a depth of 0.28m and measured 2m by 1.8m in plan and appeared to be the result of an episode of flooding. Deposits (C27) and (C28) were encountered at the eastern end of the burnt

20 Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

mound. They were both sandy deposits with considerable amounts of fire-cracked stone and their colours seemed to reflect oxidisation similar to (C18). The upper most, and latest deposit was (C15), which was confined to the southern end of the burnt mound above (C14). It was a black silty clay containing quantities of heat- affected stone and charcoal, similar to (C8) that measured 2m by 0.6m.

Spread (C26) was separate from the other successive spreads and was located 1.5m to the north. It was 0.18m deep and consisted of dark grey sandy clay that measured 0.7m by 0.54m. It was truncated by drain [C35] that ran northeast-southwest.

4.3.2 Subgroup {1005}: Possible C4 Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth Length Width Description Interpretation by (m) (m) (m)

C3 Fill C4 0.15 0.68 0.64 Loose dark blackish brown Fill of possible hearth clayey sand with frequent medium and large stone inclusions and frequent charcoal inclusions C4 Cut C3 0.15 0.68 0.64 Oval shaped cut with gradual Cut of possible hearth break of slope at the top on south side, slight on north. Gradual sloping sides onto slightly convex base. northeast- southwest orientation

Finds: None

Interpretation: Hearth C4 was an oval cut (C4) with a shallow, concave profile, filled by a loose dark black-brown clayey sand (C3), which had frequent inclusions of both medium and large stones and charcoal (Figure 5). This feature was isolated from the other archaeological features on the site, situated c.10m to the southwest (Figure 4).

It is not entirely certain what this pit represents, but it was possibly the remains of a hearth. If this is the case it could well have been associated with the activity of the burnt mound, being what is left of the fire used to heat the stones. These heat- affected stones were present in the fill (C3).

GROUP III Discussion: Undated Activity Group Subgroup Subgroup type Period by finds/stratigraphy Period by Group interpretation interpretation III 1004 Burnt Mound N/A Unknown Burnt mound material III 1005 Possible Hearth N/A Unknown Pit

To the east of the features in Group 2 burnt mound material was found made up of deposits of charcoal and burnt stone. There were no troughs or pits, which are often associated with this type of site, although a portable trough may have been used which would leave no archaeological trace or a trough may exist to the east of the road take. At least one flooding event appeared to have occurred on the site evidenced by deposit (C14).

Various interpretations have been put forward for the use of these burnt mound sites including the traditional interpretation as cooking sites. Their purpose is still unclear although it is generally agreed that their primary purpose was to boil water, using stones which were pre-heated in a fire. The firing debris of fire-shattered stone was routinely emptied out of the water-container, or trough, after each use and this is

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd 21 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

what produced a ‘burnt mound’. It is usual for this mound of material to be ploughed flat by later agricultural practices, which invariably seals associated features, including the trough, beneath it. At this site however the burnt mound did not seal any archaeological features.

The burnt mound may have been related to pit [C23] although this cannot be shown conclusively. Typically burnt mounds date to the early Bronze Age.

A possible hearth, [C4], was identified to the west of the excavated area. Despite the distance between the two features it appears [C4] was linked with the workings of the burnt mound.

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4.4 GROUP IV: Post Medieval Activity

4.4.1 Subgroup {1006}: Post-Medieval Land Drains Contexts: C Type Fill of Filled Depth (m) Length Width Description Interpretation by (m) (m)

C5 Fill C35 Not fully Ran 0.26 Linear drain with southwest-northeast Post-Medieval excavated outside orientation, cutting C6. Mid greyish field drain fill excavation brown sandy clay with large sub- limits angular stones at the base C7 Fill C36 Not fully Ran 0.40 Linear drain with east-west orientation Post-Medieval excavated outside running across the south of the site. field drain fill excavation Mid greyish brown sandy clay with limits large sub-angular stones at the base C35 Cut C5 Not fully Ran 0.26 Linear drain running southwest- Post-Medieval excavated outside northeast cutting C6. Sharp break of field drain cut excavation slope a the top, steep near-vertical limits sides, sharp break of slope at the base, which was flat C36 Cut C7 Not fully Ran 0.40 Linear drain running east-west across Post-Medieval excavated outside south of site. Sharp break of slope a field drain cut excavation the top, steep near-vertical sides, limits sharp break of slope at the base, which was flat

Finds: None

Interpretation: Two linear drains are presumed to belong to the post medieval period and associated with agricultural land drainage. Both of these were straight and extended outside the limits of the excavation (Figure 4; Plates 2-4).

[C35] ran west southwest – east northeast cutting through pit [C23] and burnt mound spread (C26). Cut [C36] did not affect any of the archaeological features, and ran southeast - northwest across the south of the site.

GROUP IV Discussion: Post Medieval Activity Group Subgroup Subgroup type Period by finds/stratigraphy Period by Group interpretation interpretation IV 1006 Post-Medieval land N/A Post-Medieval Post-Medieval drains Agricultural Drainage

Post-Medieval activity was evident at the site, in the form of a two field drains, [C35] and [C36]. These represent attempts to improve drainage and make the land more agriculturally useful.

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4.5 GROUP V: Topsoil

4.5.1 Subgroup {1007} Topsoil Contexts: C Area Fill of Filled by Interpretation Description C1 Site N/A N/A Topsoil Mid brown sandy silt with stone inclusions of variable size and angularity, and frequent small roots

Finds: Find # Context # Material Period Description E3241/A022/055:01:01 C1 Pottery Post- Sherd medieval/modern

GROUP V Discussion: Topsoil Group Subgroup Subgroup type Period by finds/stratigraphy Period by Group interpretation interpretation V 1007 Topsoil N/A N/A Topsoil

The topsoil that sealed the site was mid brown sandy silt containing stone inclusions of variable size and angularity and had a fairly uniform depth, varying between 0.35m and 0.4m. A single sherd of 18th or 19th Century Buckley ware pottery was recovered from the topsoil during the excavation (McCutcheon, Appendix 2.2).

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5 DISCUSSION

5.1 Physical Setting The geology of the region surrounding Ballinacor East is within a plain based on Palaeozoic rocks. The soils of the region have developed on glacial materials deposited by successive glaciations. The subsoil within the site was a mid orange / grey / brown silty clay. The site at Ballinacor East occupied a low-lying area at the base of a west facing slope, within a field under rough pasture, to the east of the present N11.

5.2 Summary of the Site Specific Archaeological Landscape A number of burnt mound type sites have been discovered along the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. The area is made up of low-lying pasture, a typical setting for this type of monument.

To the south of the subject site, Sites A022/050 – A022-054 all showed evidence of hot stone technology ranging in date from the early Neolithic to the mid/late Bronze Age. Similar to this site (Site A022/055), Site A022/053 also contained early Neolithic Carinated Bowl fragments.

To the north of the Site A022/056, 57 and 59 showed further evidence of burnt stone technology. The only radiocarbon date from these sites was returned from Site A022/057 which gave an early Neolithic date making it broadly contemporary with this site.

There are no RMP sites within the vicinity that may be from a similar period to this site.

5.3 Summary of Excavation Results The earliest activity at this site seems to have been the digging of a sub-rectangular pit [C23], which was partially lined with contiguously set flat stones and designed for the deposition of waste material. The fill of the pit was characterised by banded layers of grey silt and charcoal rich material. The limits of this feature were defined by a number of shallow stakeholes {1003} which indicate the former presence of a light structure which may have been erected just before the burning activity took place or soon afterwards. However, the stratigraphical relationship is not clear, and the exact function of the light structure and its relationship to the pit is not known.

There was also evidence of activity associated with a burnt mound, although this only consisted of the remains of the mound itself. The site was located on low-lying land, adjacent to a small stream typical of the landscape in which burnt mound sites are often found. The site lay 75m to the north of Site A022/054, an early Bronze Age burnt mound, and 125m east-southeast of Site A022/056 which contained undated burnt mound material.

No trough was recorded during the excavations at this site. It is possible that such elements lay beyond the limits of excavation, and some displacement of material is likely to have happened over time, distancing burnt mound material from such features. A portable trough may also have been used which has left no trace in the archaeological record. The burnt mound is undated but may have been related to pit [C23] due to its proximity.

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A possible hearth [C4] was identified to the southwest of the excavated area. This might have been linked with the workings of the burnt mound despite its distance from the other features on the site.

Post medieval activity was also evident at this site, in the form of two field drains. These represent attempts to improve drainage in the area to make the land more agriculturally useful. One of these, [C35] truncated pit [C23] and burnt mound spread (C26).

5.4 Summary of Specialist Analysis

5.4.1 Lithic Report - Farina Sternke Two pieces of flint were recovered from (C6) the top fill of pit [C23]. The flint was identified as a flake and a piece of debitage both of which probably date from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age (Sternke, Appendix 2.1). A further piece was found nearby at the interface between the natural subsoil and the topsoil. This was probably from the same period (Sternke, Appendix 2.1).

5.4.2 Post-Medieval And Modern Pottery Report - Clare McCutcheon A single sherd of 18th or 19th Century Buckley ware pottery was recovered from the topsoil during the excavation (McCutcheon, Appendix 2.2).

5.4.3 Prehistoric Pottery Report – Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche The pottery recovered from pit [C23] has been identified as fragments of two carinated bowls of Neolithic date (4000-3700 BC) (Grogan and Roche, Appendix 2.3). Such pottery types are usually associated with domestic contexts and not with funerary practices. Simple pit burials with pottery are not a feature of the Irish early Neolithic although some partly disturbed examples were identified at the court tomb of Altanagh, Co. Tyrone (Grogan and Roche, Appendix 2.3).

5.4.4 Radiocarbon Dating Results – Waikato University Laboratory A further sample taken from (C22), a fill of pit [C23], was found to contain a small quantity of oak (Quercus spp) charcoal (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5). This charcoal returned a two sigma radiocarbon date range of 1260-1390AD (WK 20682 Appendix 2.4). This material may have been introduced by later ditch [C35].

5.4.5 Charcoal and Wood ID Report – Ellen O’ Carroll A sample taken from (C8), the main deposit in the burnt mound, contained charcoal from oak (Quercus spp), holly (Pomoideae), pomoideae (apple type) and alder (Alnus glutinosa) woods (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5). These species are representative of dryland (oak, holly and pomoideae) and wetland (alder) conditions. The charcoal probably represents the remains of kindling used at the site in association with the burnt mounds’ usage (O’Carroll, Appendix 2.5). A further sample from (C22), a fill of the possible waste pit contained (Quercus spp) oak charcoal.

5.4.6 Seeds Analysis – Penny Johnston Soil samples from (C22), a fill of [C23], were examined and produced cereal grains and weed seeds. Particularly noticeable was the presence of a large quantity of seeds from the knotweed/dock family (Johnston, Appendix 2.6). In this sample, the seeds were not associated with crop processing by-products, such as chaff or other weed types. It is possible that these were found on the site because they were being used as food. These seeds are edible and formed a major component of the plant remains assemblage from three middle Bronze Age houses excavated in

26 Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, where they were also interpreted as food remains (Johnston, Appendix 2.6).

This sample also contained several oat grains. Oat grains do appear in small amounts in prehistoric deposits from the Bronze Age onwards, including prehistoric contexts from sites in Co. Wicklow (e.g. two sites at Charlesland; Johnston 2004 a and b). Johnston is of the opinion that these are from wild oat varieties (Appendix 2.6).

The radiocarbon date returned from charcoal in context (C22) was medieval and it appears this context had been heavily disturbed. Some of these seeds may have been introduced by this disturbance.

5.4.6 Osteological Analysis – Aoife McCarthy A total of 137 small burnt bone fragments (24.51g) representing 119 possible anatomical units were identified within (C6) the mid grey sandy clay fill of a stone lined possible waste pit [C23] (McCarthy, Appendix 2.7). One of the 137 burnt bone fragments recovered from (C6) was identified as a possible sus/pig phalanx. The small-tiny size of the remaining burnt bone fragments, as well as the degree of fragmentation meant it was not possible to identify species (ibid). The pit [C23] was initially interpreted as a cremation pit, but the results of the osteological analysis suggest that it had actually functioned as a waste pit.

5.5 Discussion The interpretation of this site is confused by the presence of artefacts and materials that characterise two very distinct periods in prehistory. The burnt mound material is popularly associated with the Bronze Age in Ireland while the pottery assemblage is characteristic of the early Neolithic. The two groups of features may have been related or may represent two distinct periods of use separated by several thousand years. There is no stratigraphic evidence to suggest that the burnt mound and the waste pit are contemporary yet equally there is no archaeological evidence to suggest that they are not contemporary.

The earliest recorded application of ‘burnt stone’ technology comes from Mesolithic excavations at Ferriter’s Cove (Woodman 1999). The presence of heat shattered, burnt stone from a Mesolithic context demonstrates that this technology is considerably older than has been generally accepted. Excavation is beginning to demonstrate that ‘burnt stone’ technology continues in use from the Mesolithic up to its grand flourishing in the Bronze Age (O’Neill pers. comm.) and beyond. The technology is widespread during the Neolithic, being recorded throughout Ireland and also on excavations on the Isle of Man (Burrow 1997) and elsewhere. It is quite possible that the activity at Ballinacor represents a single period of activity involving burnt stone technology in the early Neolithic. Looking beyond the characteristic perception of burnt mounds as fulachta fiadh or cooking places, and viewing them as industrial sites utilising burnt stone technology opens new possibilities in interpretation while also vastly broadening their use period.

The earliest activity at this site was initially thought to have been associated with mortuary practices. However, the results of the osteological analysis have indicated that it was likely to have functioned as a waste pit. The pit consisted of the digging of a sub-rectangular pit [C23], which was partially lined with contiguously set flat stones. The fill of the pit was characterised by banded layers of grey silt and charcoal rich material. The limits of this feature were defined by a number of shallow stakeholes

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd 27 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

{1003} which indicate the former presence of some sort of light structure which may have been associated with the burning of the animal bone.

Soil samples from this material were examined and produced cereal grains and weed seeds. Particularly noticeable was the presence of a large quantity of seeds from the Knotweed/Dock family. In this sample, the seeds were not associated with crop processing by-products, such as chaff or other weed types. It is possible that these were found on the site because they were being used as food. These seeds are edible and formed a major component of the plant remains assemblage from three middle Bronze Age houses excavated in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, where they were also interpreted as food remains (Johnston 2005a).

The sample from Ballinacor also contained several oat grains. These are not identifiable to species unless chaff is also found. As this was not found in this sample it was not possible to determine whether the grains came from wild or cultivated oat species. Oat occurs frequently in samples from early medieval sites, and the cultivated variety does not appear to have been introduced here until the early historic period (Monk 1985-86), or perhaps very late in prehistory. However, oat grains do appear in small amounts in prehistoric deposits from the Bronze Age onwards, including prehistoric contexts from sites in Co. Wicklow (e.g. two sites at Charlesland; Johnston 2004 a and b). It is likely that these are from wild oat varieties.

The seeds were retrieved from the fill of the waste pit. Their preservation was quite good, indicating that they were not burnt with the animal bone for the entire duration of the process, as the high temperatures required would have reduced the plant material to ash. This suggests that the plant material was charred during a separate burning incident.

The pottery recovered from this location has been identified as fragments of two carinated bowls of Neolithic date (4000-3700 BC) (Grogan E and Roche H, 2007). These bowls form part of a group of material recovered in south Leinster demonstrating early Neolithic settlement in this area. They are likely to be of a simple form that represents the earliest type of Neolithic pottery (Case 1961: ‘Dunmurry- Ballymarlagh styles’; Sheridan 1995: ‘classic’ carinated bowls). These have simple, often everted, rims, gently curved necks and simple or slightly stepped shoulders. The crushed quartzite and mica inclusions are a feature of this pottery in south Leinster. Early Neolithic Carinated Bowls have only recently been identified at a small number of sites in south Leinster at Rosanna and Charlesland, Co. Wicklow, and Kerlogue and Courtlands, Co. Wexford (Kieran 2003; Molloy 2004a; 2004b; Grogan 2004a; Elder 2004; Roche 2004; Purcell 2002). Other excavations on this project, at Cronakip (Whitty 2006) and Ballyvaltron (Dehane 2006), also produced pottery of a similar date. Such pottery types are usually associated with domestic contexts and not with funerary practices. Simple pit burials with pottery are not a feature of the Irish early Neolithic although some partly disturbed examples were identified at the court tomb of Altanagh, Co. Tyrone (Williams 1987, 39−40).

There was also evidence of activity associated with a burnt mound, although this only consisted of the remains of the mound itself {1004}. No trough was recorded during the excavations at this site. It is possible that such elements lay beyond the limits of excavation, and some displacement of material is likely to have happened over time, distancing burnt mound material from such features.

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6 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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32 Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd

C1 Subgroup {1007} GROUP V: TOPSOIL

GROUP IV: POST-MEDIEVAL C5 C7 ACTIVITY Subgroup {1006} C35 C36

C15

C28

C27 GROUP III: UNDATED ACTIVITY C14 Subgroup {1004} Subgroup C3 {1005} C8 C26 Subgroup {1003} C4 C17

C18

C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C19

C29 C30 C31 C32 C33 C34

C6

C20

C21 GROUP II: NEOLITHIC ACTIVITY C22 Subgroup {1002}

C24 C25

C23

GROUP I: NATURAL C2 Subgroup {1001} DRIFT GEOLOGY CXX = Spreads and fill contexts CXX = Cut Contexts N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Plate 1: Stone lining [C24] and fills of Neolithic pit [C23], alongside burnt mound material (C8) mid-excavation, facing northeast

Plate 2: Neolithic pit [C23] mid-excavation, facing west

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Plates N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Plate 3: Southeast facing section of burnt mound

Plate 4: Site pre-excavation, facing southwest

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Plates N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

APPENDIX 1: CATALOGUE OF PRIMARY DATA

Appendix 1.1 Context Register

C Type Fill of Filled by Definition Group Subgroup Subgroup Summary Depth (m) Length (m) Width (m)

C1 Deposit - - Topsoil V 1007 Topsoil - - - C2 Deposit - - Natural subsoil I 1001 Natural subsoil - - - C3 Fill C4 - Fill of possible hearth III 1005 Possible hearth 0.15 0.68 0.64 C4 Cut - C3 Cut of possible hearth III 1005 Possible hearth 0.15 0.68 0.64 C5 Fill C35 - Fill of Post-Medieval agricultural IV 1006 Post-Medieval agricultural land Not fully Ran outside 0.26 land drain drains excavated excavation limits C6 Fill C23 - Fill of stone-lined pit containing II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.10 3.20 1.40 burnt bone bone C7 Fill C36 - Fill of Post-Medieval agricultural IV 1006 Post-Medieval agricultural land Not fully Ran outside 0.40 land drain drains excavated excavation limits C8 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.30 3.55 5.20 C9 Fill C29 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.08 0.08 C10 Fill C30 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.04 0.09 0.09 C11 Fill C31 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.08 0.08 C12 Fill C32 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.09 0.09 C13 Fill C33 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.09 0.09 C14 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.28 2.0 1.80 C15 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.38 2.0 0.60 C16 Void Discontinued context number - - - C17 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.12 1.88 1.68 C18 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.10 1.45 1.20 C19 Fill C34 - Fill of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.05 0.05 C20 Fill C23 - Fill of stone-lined pit containing II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.03 1.00 0.80

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burnt bone bone C21 Fill C23 - Fill of stone-lined pit II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.04 1.00 0.80 bone C22 Fill C23 - Fill of stone-lined pit II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.01 1.00 0.80 bone C23 Cut - C6,C20,C Cut of stone-lined pit containing II 1002 0.25 3.20 1.40 21, burnt bone C22,C24, C25 C24 Stone setting C23 - Stone lining of pit II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.05 0.80 0.55 bone C25 Stone setting C23 - Stone lining of pit II 1002 Stone-lined pit containing burnt 0.20 0.40 0.60 bone C26 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.18 0.70 0.54 C27 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.28 >0.40 - C28 Deposit - - Burnt mound spread III 1004 Remains of burnt mound 0.19 0.60 - C29 Cut - C9 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.08 0.08 C30 Cut - C10 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.04 0.09 0.09 C31 Cut - C11 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.08 0.08 C32 Cut - C12 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.09 0.09 C33 Cut - C13 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.09 0.09 C34 Cut - C19 Cut of stakehole II 1003 Stakeholes 0.01 0.05 0.05 C35 Cut - C5 Cut of Post-Medieval agricultural IV 1006 Post-Medieval agricultural land Not fully Ran outside 0.26 land drain drains excavated excavation limits C36 Cut - C7 Cut of Post-Medieval agricultural IV 1006 Post-Medieval agricultural land Not fully Ran outside 0.40 land drain drains excavated excavation limits

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Appendix 1.2: Artefact Catalogue

Find No. Context Material Description E3241/A022055:01:01 C1 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:02:01 C2 Flint Flake E3241/A022055:06:01 C6 Flint Flake E3241/A022055:06:02 C6 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:06:03 C6 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:06:04 C6 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:06:05- C6 Fe (natural panning?) Worm casing 13 E3241/A022055:06:14 C6 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:06:15 C6 Pottery Sherd E3241/A022055:06:16 C6 Flint Flake E3241/A022055:20:01 C20 Pottery Sherd

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Appendix 1.3: Archive Check List

Project: N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Site Name: Ballinacor East Ministerial Number: A022/055 Site director: Red Tobin Date: June 2009

Field Records Items (quantity) Comments Site drawings (plans) 8 sheets Site sections, profiles, elevations 2 sheets Other plans, sketches, etc. - Timber drawings - Stone structural drawings -

Site diary/note books 1 Site registers (folders) 6

Survey/levels data (origin information)

Context sheets 36 Wood Sheets - Skeleton Sheets - Worked stone sheets -

Digital photographs 47 Photographs (print) - Photographs (slide) -

Finds and Environ. Archive Flint/chert 3 Stone artefacts - Pottery (specify periods/typology) 6 Neolithic, 1 Post-medieval Ceramic Building Material (specify types e.g. daub, - tile) Metal artefacts (specify types - bronze, iron) - Glass - Other find types or special finds (specify) -

Human bone (specify type eg cremated, skeleton, - disarticulated) Animal bone 137 fragaments Metallurgical waste - Enviro bulk soil (specify no. of samples) 13 Enviro monolith (specify number of samples and - number of tins per sample)

Security copy of archive

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APPENDIX 2: SPECIALIST REPORTS

Appendix 2.1 Lithic Report - Dr Farina Sternke

Appendix 2.2 Post-Medieval And Modern Pottery Report - Clare McCutcheon

Appendix 2.3 Prehistoric Pottery Report – Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche

Appendix 2.4 Radiocarbon Dating Results – Waikato University Laboratory

Appendix 2.5 Charcoal and Wood ID Report – Ellen O’ Carroll

Appendix 2.6 Seeds Analysis – Penny Johnston

Appendix 2.7 Osteological Report of Burnt Bone – Aoife Mc Carthy

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Appendix 2.1 Lithic Report - Dr Farina Sternke

Introduction

Three lithic finds from the archaeological investigations of a Neolithic site along the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement at Ballinacor East, were presented for analysis (Table 1). The finds are associated with a waste pit in proximity of a burnt spread and a hearth.

Find Number Find Context Material Type Cortex Condition Length (mm) (mm) Width (mm) Thickn. Complete Retouch A 022 055:6:1 6 Flint Debitage A 022 055:6:16 6 Flint Flake Yes Patinated 23 23 6 No No A 022 055:2:1 2 Flint Flake Yes Patinated 21 14 7 No No

Table 1 Composition of the lithic assemblage from Ballinacor East (A022/055)

Methodology

All lithic artefacts were examined visually and catalogued using Microsoft Excel. The following details were recorded for each artefact which measured at least 2 cm in length or width: context information, raw material type, artefact type, the presence of cortex, artefact condition, length, with and thickness measurements, fragmentation and the type of retouch (where applicable). The technological criteria recorded are based on the terminology and technology presented in Inizan et al. 1999. The general typological and morphological classifications are based on Woodman et al. 2006. Struck lithics smaller than 2 cm were classed as debitage and not analysed further. The same was done with natural chunks.

Quantification

The lithics are three worked flints (Table 1). Two artefacts are larger than 2 cm in length and width and were therefore recorded in detail.

Provenance

The artefacts were recovered from the fill of stone-lined pit containing burnt bone and the surface of the natural subsoil.

Condition:

The lithics survive in patinated and incomplete condition.

Technology/Morphology:

The artefacts are two flakes and a piece of debitage. The flakes appear to have been produced on a single platform core using a direct percussion technology on flint beach pebbles.

The presence of a small piece of debitage suggests that lithic production took place at or nearby the site.

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25

20

15 Flake Width 10

5

0 0 5 10 15 20 25

Length

Figure 1 Dimensions (mm) of the Assemblage Components from Ballinacor East (A022/055)

Dating:

The assemblage is technologically and typologically undiagnostic, but would not be out of place in a Neolithic or Bronze Age context.

Conservation

Lithics do not require specific conservation, but should be stored in a dry, stable environment. Preferably, each lithic should be bagged separately and contact with other lithics should be avoided, so as to prevent damage and breakage, in particular edge damage which could later be misinterpreted as retouch. Larger and heavier items are best kept in individual boxes to avoid crushing of smaller assemblage pieces.

Comparative Material

Apart from polished stone , an arrowhead from Rathdown, a hollow based arrowhead from Sugar Loaf Mountain (Delaney 2000) and a collection of scrapers from Rathmeague (Delaney 2000), very little Neolithic settlement evidence has hitherto been found in the eastern Wicklow, while evidence for Bronze Age activity in Wicklow derives predominantly from burial contexts (Delaney 2000).

If the burnt spread and the waste pit were to be associated with a nearby fulacht fiadh, the size and composition of the assemblage would be typical. Recent excavations in the south-east of Ireland revealed a similar pattern of very small assemblages found in associated fulachta fiadh, e.g. the N25 Waterford By-Pass (Woodman 2006). These assemblages are dominated by the use of beach pebble

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2.1 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report flint which is often worked using the bipolar method or a very simple platform technology (see also O’Hare 2005).

Discussion

Flint is available in larger and smaller nodules on the south Wicklow coast (Delaney 2000). The use of a bipolar technology is in parts the result of this availability. The majority of these flint nodules are rather small pebbles with an average dimension of 7cm and often only permit the use of a bipolar or scalar technology to efficiently reduce the nodule achieving a maximum outcome, i.e. the largest possible amount of suitable and usable blanks. The result is the regionally dominant scalar and split pebble bipolar, rather idiosyncratic character of the south-eastern lithic assemblages (O’Hare 2005, 123).

The lithic finds from the archaeological investigations at Ballinacor East (A022/055) along the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement are one piece of debitage and two flakes. They either date to the Final Neolithic or more likely to the Bronze Age. This assemblage might be related to the single lithic find recovered at a possible contemporary site nearby at Ballynacor East (A022/056).

This site potentially makes a minor contribution to the hitherto scarce evidence for Bronze Age settlement and related sites along the eastern Wicklow coast.

Bibliography

Delaney, S. 2000. An Investigation into the Availability of Flint as a Raw Material along the South-East Coast of Ireland and an Examination of a Collection of Flint Artefacts from the same Area. Unpublished MA Thesis, NUI University College Cork.

Inizan, M.-L., M. Reduron-Ballinger, H. Roche and J. Tixier 1999. Technology and Terminology of Knapped Stone 5. CREP, Nanterre.

O'Hare, M. B., 2005. The Bronze Age Lithics of Ireland. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Queen's University of Belfast.

Woodman, P.C. 2006. The significance of the lithic assemblages from the archaeological excavations on the Waterford By-Pass. Unpublished Report for Headland.

Woodman, P. C., Finlay, N. and E. Anderson 2006. The Archaeology of a Collection: The Keiller-Knowles Collection of the National Museum of Ireland. National Museum of Ireland Monograph Series 2. Wordwell, Bray.

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Appendix 2.2 Post-Medieval And Modern Pottery Report - Clare McCutcheon

A single sherd of pottery was presented for study. The site is described as a possible fulacht fiadh and the context containing the sherd of pottery presented (C1) is assumed to be topsoil.

The sherd is a small piece of black glazed ware in red clay, probably from a bowl and dating to the 18th/19th century. These vessels were widely available in Ireland and some may also have been made here. The principal source of black glazed ware, however, is Lancashire and North Wales, often termed simply Buckley ware. The clay can be intermixed with white clay giving a marbled effect, or near stoneware in dark red/brown, or soft red earthenware. The black glaze results from the addition of iron to the overall lead glaze.

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Appendix 2.3 Prehistoric Pottery Report – Eoin Grogan and Helen Roche

Summary

This site produced a small assemblage of 5 sherds (plus one fragment) from two early Neolithic Carinated Bowls (total weigh 40g). These are from the fill of a possible waste pit.

The Early Neolithic This material came from two fills (C6, C20) of a sub-rectangular pit (C23) that also produced fragments of cremated bone (not yet identified). It represents the very fragmentary remains of two early Neolithic Carinated Bowls: in the absence of feature sherds it is not possible to provide a definitive identification but they are probably of a simple form that represents the earliest type of Neolithic pottery (Case 1961: ‘Dunmurry-Ballymarlagh styles’; Sheridan 1995: ‘classic’ carinated bowls). These have simple, often everted, rims, gently curved necks and simple or slightly stepped shoulders. This material is extensively dated to the period c. 4000–3700 BC. The crushed quartzite and mica inclusions are a feature of this pottery in south Leinster.

Early Neolithic Carinated Bowls have only recently been identified at a small number of sites in south Leinster at Rosanna and Charlesland, Co. Wicklow, and Kerloge and Courtlands, Co. Wexford (Kieran 2003; Molloy 2004a; 2004b; Grogan 2004a; Elder 2004; Roche 2004; Purcell 2002). Together with the pottery from the N11 sites at Cronakip and Ballyvaltron (Whitty 2009; Dehane 2009) this represents the first identification of early Neolithic activity in this area. More extensive assemblages occur in south County Dublin including at the rectangular house site at Kilgobbin (Hagen 2004; Grogan 2004b), a domestic site at Newtown Little (Phelan 2005; Grogan and Roche 2006), a small assemblage from ‘Belarmine’ Kilgobbin (Dennehy 2004; Grogan 2005), Sites 2, 5, and the ‘trial cuttings’ at Dalkey Island (Liversage 1968).

Simple pit burials with pottery are not a feature of the Irish early Neolithic although some partly disturbed examples were identified at the court tomb of Altanagh, Co. Tyrone (Williams 1987, 39−40).

Bibliography

Case, H. 1961 Irish Neolithic Pottery: Distribution and Sequence, Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 9, 174–233.

Dehane, G. 2006 Ballyvaltron A022/053 Preliminary Report. N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. Unpublished Report for Wicklow County Council / National Roads Authority. Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.

Dennehy, E. 2004 Excavations at ‘Belarmine’, Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin. Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.

Elder, S. 2004 Kerloge. Prehistoric. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2001, 403. Wordwell, Dublin.

Grogan, E. 2004a The prehistoric pottery assemblage from Charlesland, Co. Wicklow. Sites 1B, J, K, R.M.P Area 5 and GC 1. Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.

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Grogan, E. 2004b The prehistoric pottery assemblage from Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin. Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. (Ines Hagen).

Grogan, E. 2005 The prehistoric pottery assemblage from ‘Belarmine’, Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin (04E0566). Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.

Grogan, E. and Roche, H. 2006 The prehistoric pottery assemblage from Newtown Little, Stepaside, Co. Dublin (05E0665). Unpublished report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.

Hagen, I. 2004 Archaeological Excavations Interim Report. Phase 3 Development, Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin. Unpublished report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.

Kieran, E. 2003 Rossana Lower. Medieval/post medieval. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2001, 429. Wordwell, Dublin.

Liversage, G.D. 1960 A Neolithic Site at Townleyhall, Co. Louth, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 90, 49–60.

Molloy, B. 2004a Charlesland Residential Development, Co. Wicklow. Site 1B (04E0118). Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. Molloy, B. 2004b Charlesland Residential Development, Co. Wicklow. Site K (03E1399). Unpublished Report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. Phelan, S. 2005 Excavations at Newtown Little, Stepaside, Co. Dublin (05E0665), Unpublished Report, for M. Gowen and Co. Ltd.

Purcell, A. 2002 Courtlands East. Neolithic. Co. Wexford. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2000, 354. Wordwell, Dublin.

Roche, H. 2004 The prehistoric pottery from Kerloge, Co. Wexford (02E0606). Unpublished Report for Stafford–McLoughlin Associates.

Sheridan, A. 1995 Irish Neolithic pottery: the story in 1995. In I. Kinnes and G. Varndell (eds), Unbaked Urns of Rudely Shape’, 3–21. Oxbow Monograph 55, Oxford.

Whitty, Y. 2006 Cranagh A022/031 Preliminary Report. N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. Unpublished Report for Wicklow County Council / National Roads Authority. Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.

Williams, B. 1986 Excavations at Altanagh, County Tyrone, Ulster Journal of Archaeology 49, 33–88.

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Appendix 2.4 Radiocarbon Dating Results – Waikato University Laboratory

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Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2.4 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report

Appendix 2.5 Charcoal and Wood ID Report – Ellen O’ Carroll

1. Introduction

Two charcoal samples from archaeological investigations at Ballinacor townland, Co. Wicklow were analysed in respect of suitability for dating and species selection in association with the excavated features. The site consisted of one possible Neolithic waste pit and some burnt mound activity. The waste pit was characterised by a sub- rectangular cut orientated north-south and lined with stone and filled by four successive deposits. Charcoal present within the pit returned a two sigma radiocarbon date of AD 1260-1390. The second sample identified was extracted from a burnt mound spread (C8) possibly representative of the Bronze Age.

The charcoal was sent for species identification prior to 14C dating, and also to obtain an indication of the range of tree species which grew in the area, as well as the utilization of these species for various functions. Wood used for fuel at pre-historic sites would generally have been sourced at locations close to the site. Therefore charcoal identifications may, but do not necessarily, reflect the composition of the local woodlands. Larger pieces of charcoal, when identified, can provide information regarding the use of a species.

2. Methodology

The process for identifying wood, whether it is charred, dried or waterlogged is carried out by comparing the anatomical structure of wood samples with known comparative material or keys (Schweingruber 1990). The identification of charcoal material involves breaking the charcoal piece so as a clean section of the wood can be obtained. This charcoal is then identified to species under an Olympus stereomicroscope with a magnification of 200. By close examination of the microanatomical features of the samples the species were determined. The diagnostic features used for the identification of charcoal are micro-structural characteristics such as the vessels and their arrangement, the size and arrangement of rays, vessel pit arrangement and also the type of perforation plates.

The identifications were completed by weight. The charcoal fragments from similar species were grouped together and then counted and weighed (Table 1).

3. Results

Date Site no Context no Sample no Species & weight Comment Feature type

lex acquifolium (0.8g), Alnus glutinosa (0.1g), Burnt mound activity 55 8 9 Pomoideae (0.4g), Quercus spp (1.1g)

AD Associated with Minute fragments of Waste pit? 1260- 55 22 8 cremated animal Quercus spp (3.3g) 1390 bone

Table 1 Wood species identification and analysis of samples

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Botanical name Species Weight Quercus spp Oak 4.4g Pomoideae Apple type 0.4g

Alnus glutinosa Alder 0.1g Ilex acquifoluim Holly 0.8g

Table 2 Species represented in the identified samples

Alder 2 %

Holly 14%

Pomoideae 7% Alnus glutinosa (0.1g) Quercus spp (4.4g) Pomoideae (0.4g) Oak 77% Ilex acquifolium (0.8g)

Figure 1 Species represented in the identified samples

4. Discussion

Oak (Quercus spp), holly (Pomoideae), pomoideae (apple type) and alder (Alnus glutinosa) were identified from the fill of the burnt mound spread (C8). These species are representative of dryland (oak, holly and pomoideae) and wetland (alder) conditions. The charcoal probably represents the remains of kindling used at the site in association with the burnt mounds’ usage. Oak was also identified from the waste pit fill (C22).

Quercus sp., oak

Oak (Quercus sp.) was the only species identified from the waste pit. Oak was also identified from the burnt mound spread.

Sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robus) are both native to and common in Ireland. The wood of these species cannot be differentiated based on its microstructure. Pendunculate oak is found on heavy clays and loams particularly where the soil is of alkaline pH. Sessile oak is found on acid soils often in pure stands and although it thrives on well-drained soils it is also tolerant of flooding (Beckett 1979, 40-41). Both species of oak grow to be very large trees (30-40m) and can live to an age of about 400 years. The oak identified suggests that there was a supply of oak in the surrounding environment at the time of use of the site.

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Pomoideae (apple type)

Pomoideae, which was identified from the samples taken from burnt mound spread (C8), includes apple, pear, hawthorn and mountain ash. It is impossible to distinguish these wood species anatomically but as wild pear is not native and crab apple is a rare native species to Ireland it is likely that the species identified from Ballinacor East are hawthorn or mountain ash (rowan) (Nelson 194-200, 1993). Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a native species, and is found in many hedgerows throughout Ireland. Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is also a common tree to Ireland growing particularly well in rocky and hilly mountainous places.

Holly, Ilex acquifolium

Holly was identified from the the fill of the burnt mound spread (C8). Hollies are members of the Holly family (Aquifoliaceae). The holly (Ilex aquifolium L.) is a shrub growing to 35 feet in open woodlands and along clearings in forests. Hollies are evergreen, and stand out in winter among the bare branches of the deciduous forest trees that surround them. Hollies form red berries before Samhain which last until the birds finish eating them, often after Imbolc.

Alnus glutinosa, alder

Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a widespread native tree which occurs in wet habitats along streams and riverbanks. Alder also grows regularly on fen peat. It is an easily worked and split timber and does not tear when worked. Alder is commonly identified from wood remains associated with wet/boggy areas and is one of the main species identified from fulacht fiadh material.

5. Comparative material

The author has carried out a large number of charcoal identifications from excavated fulacht fiadh or burnt mound sites and a range of species are generally identified from these cooking places. Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is generally the most dominant species identified from excavated fulachta fiadh along with oak, ash, hazel, willow, holly, birch and pomoideae represented among these assemblages.

6. Summary & Conclusions

In early Irish law the oak was classified as one of the seven Airig fedo or Nobles of the wood. Its association with folk beliefs and customs abounds and one such example can be seen in its specified use for kindling the bonfires of Maytime and Midsummer in Wales and Scotland (Mac Coitir 2003, 58).

The oak identified indicates that a supply of such material was available in the area and it was selected for deliberate functions. The oak would have grown in drier conditions preferring free-draining and nutrient rich soils, although it can grow on wetter areas during dry periods. The fuel collected for use at this excavated fulacht fiadh indicates a selection of wood species from varied environments. Alder, oak, pomoideae and holly were the taxa identified from the assemblage and used as fuel which is not surprising as alder will grow in wetland conditions close to streams and rivers and this is where most of the fulacht fiadh are sited. Other wood taxa collected for fuel at the site include. .

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7. REFERENCES

Beckett, J.K., 1979, Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold & Sons Ltd, Norwich.

Gowen, M, O Neill, J and Phillips, M. (2005), The Lisheen Mine Archaeological Project 1996-8. Wordwell, Co. Wicklow.

Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit, 1993, Excavations at Clonfinlough, County Offaly. Transactions 2. Dublin

Mac Coitir, N., 2003, Irish Trees, Myths, legends and Folklore. The Collins Press

Nelson E.C., 1993 Trees of Ireland. The Lilliput Press, Dublin.

OCarroll, E. 2000. The analysis of charcoal remains from Bettystown, Co. Meath. Unpublished specialist report for ADS Ltd.

OCarroll, E. 2002. The analysis of charcoal remains from Hermitage, Co. Limerick. Unpublished specialist report for Aegis.

OCarroll, E. 2004. The analysis of charcoal remains from Ballybrowney Lower 1, Co. Cork. Unpublished specialist report for ACS Ltd

Pilcher , J & Hall, V. 2001. Flora Hibernica, The Collins press, Wilton, Cork

Schweingruber, F.H. 1990. Microscopic Wood Anatomy. 3rd edition. Birmensdorf: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research

Warner, R.B., 1987, "A proposed adjustment for the « Old-Wood Effect »", in Mook, W. & Waterbolk, H. (eds) Proc. 2nd Symp of 14C & Archaeology, Groningen 1987, 29, 159-172.

Webb, D.A., 1977, An Irish Flora. Dundalgan Press Ltd, Dundalk.

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Appendix 2.6 Seeds Analysis – Penny Johnston

Introduction This report details the results of analysis of archaeobotanical material from site Ballinacor East excavated during road improvement works along the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement.

Methodology The samples were processed by the client and were delivered to Eachtra Archaeological Projects for analysis. A low-powered binocular microscope (magnification range x8 to x56) was used for sorting the samples and identifying the seeds. Identification was carried out with the aid of a modern seeds reference collection and with reference to a photographic seed atlas (Cappers et al. 2006) and a cereal identification manual (Jacomet 2006). The results of identification are presented in individual tables for each site where seeds were found (Table 1-3). Nomencalture and taxonomic order follows Stace (1997). Scientific names are confined to the identification table in order to facilitate easy reading of the text.

Ballinacor, Co. Wicklow (A022/55) One sample was analysed from this site (C.22, S.8). The seed assemblage consisted of cereal grains and weed seeds. Particularly noticeable was the presence of a large quantity of seeds from the knotweed/dock family (Figure 1). These are hardy ruderals that colonise waste and disturbed ground, and often grow in or around areas of human settlement and as crop weeds. In this sample, the seeds were not associated with crop processing by-products, such as chaff or lots of other weed types, and it is possible that these were found on the site because they were being used as food. The seeds are edible and have been found in the gut contents of prehistoric bog bodies (e.g. Holden 1995) and they formed a major component of the plant remains assemblage from three middle Bronze Age houses excavated in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork, where they were interpreted as food remains (Johnston 2005a). The sample from Ballinacor also contained several oat grains. These are not identifiable to species unless chaff, particularly floret bases, is also found. As this was not found in this sample it was not possible to determine whether the grains came from wild or cultivated oat species. Oat occurs frequently in samples from early medieval sites, and the cultivated variety does not appear to have been introduced here until the early historic period (Monk 1985-86), or perhaps very late in prehistory. However, oat grains do appear in small amounts in prehistoric deposits from the Bronze Age onwards, including prehistoric contexts from sites in Co. Wicklow (e.g. two sites at Charlesland; Johnston 2004 A and B). It is likely that these are from wild oat varieties.

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Figure 1: Percentage seed composition in C.22 (S.8) from Ballinacor, Co. Wicklow (A022/55)

Knotweed family seeds Bramble seeds Apple pips Oat grains

The seeds were taken from the fill of a possible waste pit. Their preservation was quite good, indicating that they were not cremated with the animal bone found within the fill of the pit. This suggests that the plant material was charred during a separate burning incident.

Table 2: Identified charred plant remains from Ballinacor, Co. Wicklow (A022/55)

Context 22 Sample 8 Indeterminate seeds from the Knotgrass family (Polygonaceae) 93 Bramble: blackberry (Rubus fructicosus L.) 1 Apple pips (Malus spp. Mill.) fragments 1 Oat grains (Avena L. species) 27 Indeterminate cereal grains 1 Indeterminate weed seeds 3

References

Binchy, D.A. 1981. Brewing in eighth century Ireland, pp.3-6 in Scott, B.G. (ed.) Studies on Early Ireland. Essays in honour of M.V. Duignan. Belfast. Cappers, R.T.J, Bekker, R.M. and Jans, J.E.A. 2006. Digitale Zadenatlas van Nederland. Groningen, Barkhuis Publishing & Groningen University Library. Holden, T.G. 1995. The last meals of the Lindow Bog men, pp.76-82 in Turner, R.C. and Scaife, R.G. (eds.) Bog Bodies: new discoveries and new perspectives. London, British Museum Press. Jacomet, S. 2006. Identification of cereal remains from archaeological sites. (2nd edition) Basel: IPAS Basel University. Johnston, P. In press. Synthesis of the plant remains from the Bord Gáis Eireann Gas Pipeline to the West, in Grogan, E. (ed.) The Pipeline to the West- An integrated archaeological and environmental assessment. Bray, Wordwell. Johnston, P. 2005a. Charred plant remains from Mitchelstown 1, Co. Cork (04E1072). Unpublished technical report for Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

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Johnston, P. 2005b. Analysis of the charred plant remains from Giltspur, Co. Wicklow, Licence no. 04E1324. Unpublished technical report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Johnston, P. 2004a. Analysis of the charred plant remains from Site A Charlesland Co. Wicklow, Licence no. 03E0018. Unpublished technical report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Johnston, P 2004b Analysis of the charred plant remains from Site D Charlesland, Co. Wicklow, Licence no. 03E0146. Unpublished technical report for Margaret Gowen and Co. Jones, G 1998 Wheat grain identification – why bother? Environmental Archaeology 2, 29-34. Kelly, F 1998 Early Irish Farming. Dublin, Institute of Advanced Studies. Monk, M 1985-86 Evidence from macroscopic plant remains for crop husbandry in prehistoric and early historic Ireland: A review, Journal of Irish Archaeology 3. Nesbitt, M 2005 Grains, pp. 45-60 in Prance, G. and Nesbitt, M. (eds.) The cultural history of plants. New York, Routledge. Vaughan-Williams, A 2005 Appendix IIIa Analysis of the plant macrofossils. In Eogan, J. and O’Brien, R. Final report of excavations at Rathdown Upper, Co. Wicklow Licence no. 97E0075. Report written for Archaeological Development Services Ltd. and submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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Appendix 2.7 Osteological Report of Burnt Bone – Aoife Mc Carthy

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION This report details the osteological analysis of burnt bone remains recovered during excavations at Site A022/055, E3241 Ballinacor East in the townland of Ballinacor East c. 8km to the southwest of Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow in advance of the construction of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement. Aoife McCarthy MA (Osteoarchaeology University of Southampton 2006) undertook the analysis on behalf of Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd. in September 2009.

1.2 GENERAL OSTEOLOGICAL INFORMATION The osteological analysis of burnt bone remains recovered from Site A022/055 was undertaken to provide an overview of the osteoarchaeological aspect of the site and determine if the material could provide further interpretation of site activity.

A total of 137 fragments from 119 possible anatomical units were recorded within the assemblage. All 137 bone fragments were brittle and white to light grey/blue in colour; such modifications to the organic component of bone are evidence of exposure to heat at a high temperature (Reitz, E. J. & Wing, E. S. 2008). Thirteen fragments of calcined bone were noted as being attached to non-charcoal nodules of burnt organic matter. The burnt remains were highly fragmented, in a poor state of preservation and weighed a total of 24.51g.

Due to the fragmented nature and small size of the bone pieces recovered, as well as a poor level of preservation the majority of the assemblage was unidentifiable to species. The burnt remains assemblage contained bones from one recognisable species sus/pig. The data collected within this report was based on species identification (where possible), ageing, and sexing (where possible), butchery, gnawing, burning pathology or injury.

2. METHODOLOGY

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION: Identification of the bones involved reference to Schmid (1972) and Hillson (1992) as well as comparison with the author’s own reference material.

• NISP: Number of Identified Specimens Indicates the total number of identified bone fragments found.

• MNI: Minimum Number of Individuals. Indicates the minimum number of individuals from every species that were present in the material. Estimating MNI is calculated on the specimen of the most abundant skeletal element present; whilst taking age, sex, size and archaeological context into account.

• MNE: Minimum Number of Elements. Indicates the minimum number of anatomical units that are present and what side they are from. To avoid getting a higher MNE all loose epiphyses have to be paired with all unfused diaphysis.

SAMPLING: Due to the fragmented nature of the burnt bone material it was decided to dry sieve the sample. The burnt bone was passed through a 10mm, 5mm and 2mm sieve in turn, with all bone fragments recovered from each sieve size being included

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2.7 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement Ballinacor East A022/055 E3241 Final Report in the assemblage for analysis; “Quantitive studies require a sampling approach that enables each of the species used at a site to have an equal opportunity to be recovered, with no skewing that will increase one taxonomic unit over another.” (Shaffer & Sanchez, 1994)

AGEING: Two main methods are used to determine the age of faunal remains; tooth eruption and degree of epiphyseal fusion (a less reliable method). Tooth eruption and wear stages are recorded for the following teeth where possible; dP4 (deciduous fourth premolar), P4 (fourth premolar), M1 (first molar), M2 (second molar) and M3 (third molar) of cattle, sheep/goat and pig (Grant 1982). The analysis of tooth wear patterns refers to the alteration of the enamel surface and exposure of inner dentine through use. No full and identifiable long bone or teeth fragments were recovered from site A022/055, as a result age estimates were not possible.

BIOMETRICAL DATA: Due to the degree of fragmentation of the burnt remains recovered from Site A022/055 measurements were not taken.

SEX DETERMINATION: Sex determination of animal remains is possible by analysis of certain sexually dimorphic elements. For example goat horncores may be classified as male or female based on their morphology and cattle metacarpals can be defined as male or female through calculation of the slenderness index (McCormick 1992). Sexual determination of species was not possible due to the degree of fragmentation of the assemblage from Site A022/055.

BUTCHERY/GNAWING/BURNING: Evidence for butchery is recorded under the categories of cut, chopped, chopped and cut. All specimens were analysed for evidence of rodent or carnivorous gnawing and evidence of burning.

PATHOLOGY: The discovery of any injury and/or pathology was recorded for all specimens, where present.

3. RESULTS

Context 6 Sample 10: A total of 137 small burnt bone fragments (24.51g) representing 119 possible anatomical units were identified within (C6) the mid greyish sandy clay fill of a stone lined pit [C23]. One of the 137 burnt bone fragments recovered from (C6) was identified as a possible sus/pig phalanx. The small-tiny size of the remaining burnt bone fragments, as well as the degree of fragmentation meant it was not possible to identify species.

Sus/Pig One burnt fragment of possible sus/pig phalanx (0.9g) representing one anatomical unit was identified and recorded in moderate state of preservation and calcined within fill material (C6).

Unidentified Fragments: Due to their very fragmented nature the remaining 136 burnt bone fragments recovered from (C6) were not identified to species. The possible skull, tooth, phalange, long bone, rib and unidentified fragments (23.61g) representing 119 possible anatomical units. All of the bone fragments recovered from (C6) were recorded as discoloured to from black to grey to white/blue indicating exposure to heat. As detailed earlier 13 fragments of calcined bone were noted as being attached to nodules of burnt organic matter, a further 1g of this burnt organic matter was recovered in the sieved burnt remains from (C6).

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Group No. % Fragments MNE Weight (g) Weight % Fragments Fragments ID to 1 0.73% 1 0.9g 3.67% Species Unidentified 136 99.27% 136 23.61g 96.33% Fragments Total 137 100% 137 24.51g 100% Table 1. Total number of bone fragments, anatomical units (MNE) and the total weight identified to species (C6).

4. SUMMARY One hundred and thirty seven burnt bone fragments from Site A022/055 E3241 Ballinacor East were submitted for examination. The burnt remains were recovered from (C6) the fill of a stone lined pit, interpreted initially as a possible cremation pit [C23] (Tobin. R, 2009). The bone fragments were assessed and identified to species where possible. From these, a total of 136 fragments (99.27%) were not possible to identify to species due to the size and fragmented nature of the pieces. The remaining 1 fragment (0.73%) was identified and divided into species. The remains contained bones from one recognisable species sus/pig.

The fill material (C6) also contained the fragmented remains of two Neolithic Carinated Bowls. This type of pottery is extensively dated to between 4000 and 3700 BC (Grogan. E & Roche. H, 2007). Two pieces of flint were also recorded within (C6), these were identified as a flake and piece of debitage most likely dating from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age (Sternke. F, 2007). The deliberate placement of stones as a lining within pit [C23] as well as the presence of finds within (C6) noted above, combined with the burnt remains do allow for the interpretation of a possible cremation pit. However such an interpretation is still tentative as the majority of the burnt remains recovered from (C6) were unidentifiable to species including human.

Also as detailed and represented in Table 2 a large proportion of the bone assemblage across all contexts displayed evidence of exposure of the bone to a high level of heat. These alterations of the bone may also be a possible indication that the bone recorded on Site A022/055 E3241 Ballinacor East had been cooked and debris was discarded into a possible waste pit. No definite conclusions could be drawn from the bone assemblage retrieved from Site A022/055 E3241 Ballinacor East due to its limited size and poor degree of bone preservation.

Species Cut % Cut Gnaw % Path % Burn % Total Gnaw Path Burn Pig 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.73% 1 Unidentified 0 0 0 0 0 0 136 99.27% 136 Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 137 100% 137

Table 2. Number of fragments from entire assemblage with cut; gnaw marks evidence of pathology or burning/heat exposure.

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N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement A022/055 Ballinacor East E3241 Final Report

BONE DATABASE: Site Spec C S Taxon Anat Side Prox Dist 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 But Bu G Q Weight Comment (g) A022/ 1 6 10 Unid Unid W 2 0.10 Series of >2mm 055 0 white/calcified bone fragments. Unidentified to species due to small size. A022/ 2 6 10 Unid Unid W 1 1.20 Series of white/calcified bone 055 4 fragments recovered from 2mm sieve. Unidentified to species due to small size. A022/ 3 6 10 Unid Unid W,G 1 0.50 Series of white/calcified bone 055 2 fragments recovered from 2mm sieve. Unidentified to species due to small size. A022/ 4 6 10 Unid Skull W,G 1 0.50 Series of white/calcified bone 055 8 fragments recovered from 2mm sieve. Possibly skull, unidentified to species due to small fragment size A022/ 5 6 10 Unid Molar B,G 1 0.01 Single fragment of 055 unidentified tooth crown. From 2mm sieve. A022/ 6 6 10 Unid Unid B, 2 2 Series of white/calcified and 055 G, 5 blackened/charred small W bone fragments recovered from 2mm sieve. Unidentified to species due to small size. A022/ 7 6 10 Unid Rib B, 1 0.90 Blackened/charred & 055 W white/calcified possible rib fragment recovered from 5mm sieve. Unidentified to species. A022/ 8 6 10 Unid Rib W, 1 0.70 Blackened/charred & 055 B white/calcified possible rib

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2.7 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement A022/055 Ballinacor East E3241 Final Report

fragment recovered from 5mm sieve. Unidentified to species. A022/ 9 6 10 Unid Rib B, 1 0.20 Blackened/charred & 055 W white/calcified possible rib fragment recovered from 5mm sieve. Unidentified to species. A022/ 10 6 10 Unid Phalan W 1 0.30 Unidentified to species distal 055 ge phalange fragment. Small- med mammal size A022/ 11 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.40 Fragment of possible rib, 055 Rib B attached to charcoal nodule. Unidentified to species. A022/ 12 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.40 Blackened/charred & 055 Rib B white/calcified possible rib fragment. Unidentified to species A022/ 13 6 10 Unid Long W, 1 0.90 Small unidentifiable fragment 055 Bone B of long bone diaphysis A022/ 14 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.70 Fragment of possible rib, 055 Rib B attached to fragment of charcoal. Unidentified to species. A022/ 15 6 10 Unid Unid G, 1 0.40 Unidentified to species 055 W fragment, bone fragment also green, possibly due to exposure to metal? A022/ 16 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.60 Unidentified to species 055 Phalan B possible phalange fragment. ge A022/ 17 6 10 Unid Poss W 1 0.30 Possible rib fragment 055 Rib recovered from 5mm sieve, unid to species A022/ 18 6 10 Unid Long W, 1 3.80 Series of small bone

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd Appendix 2.7 N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement A022/055 Ballinacor East E3241 Final Report

055 Bone B 0 fragments attached to nodules of charcoal recovered from 5mm sieve. Unidentifiable to species. A022/ 19 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.40 055 Phalan B ge A022/ 20 6 10 Unid Poss W 1 0.30 055 Phalan ge A022/ 21 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.10 055 Rib B A022/ 22 6 10 Unid Long W 1 0.40 055 Bone A022/ 23 6 10 Unid Poss W 1 0.30 055 Rib A022/ 24 6 10 Unid Long W, 2 0.30 Diaphysis fragments, 055 Bone G unidentified to species. A022/ 25 6 10 Unid Unid W, 1 1.80 Inner bone cortex fragments. 055 B 0 Unidentified to species. A022/ 26 6 10 poss. Phalan Ep W 1 0.90 Unidentified possible pig 055 pig ge distal phalange epiphysis. A022/ 27 6 10 Unid Unid W, 1 0.10 055 B A022/ 28 6 10 Unid Long W, 1 1.30 Possible long bone diaphysis 055 Bone G fragment, unidentified to species. A022/ 29 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 1.30 055 Skull G A022/ 30 6 10 Unid Unid W, 1 1.20 055 B A022/ 31 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.60 Fragment of bone attached 055 Skull B to fragment of charcoal A022/ 32 6 10 Unid Unid W, 1 0.20 055 B

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A022/ 33 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.70 055 Rib B A022/ 34 6 10 Unid Poss W, 1 0.70 055 Rib B

KEY: C= Context But=Butchery N=No W=White S=Sample Bu=Burnt Unid=Unidentifiable R=Rodent Anat=Anatomical Element G=Gnaw Tax=Taxon Prox=Proximal Q=Quantity of Pieces B=Black Dist=Distal P=Photograph G=Grey

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5. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Binford, L & Howell, F.C. (1981), ‘Bones, Ancient Men and Modern Myths’, Florida Academic Press Inc.

Boessneck, J. (1969), ‘Osteological Differences between Sheep and Goat’ in D. Brothwell and E. Higgs (eds.), Science in Archaeology, 331-358, Thames & Hudson, London.

Davis, S.J. (1987), The Archaeology of Animals. New Haven & London: Yale University Press.

Fisher J.W. (1995) ‘Bone Surface Modifications in Zooarcheology’ in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory Vol. 2 No.1, Springer, Netherlands.

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

Grogan, E. & Roche, H. (2007), A022/055 E3241 Prehistoric Pottery Report, forthcoming.

Haynes G. (1978) ‘Morphological Damage and Alteration to Bone: Laboratory experiments, field studies and zoo studies’, American Quaternary Association 210, Edmonton Alberta.

Hillson, S. (1992). Mammal Bones and Teeth: An Introductory Guide to Methods and Identification. London Institue of Archaeology: UCL, London.

Luff R. & Pearce J. (1994) ‘The Taphonomy of Cooked Bone’ in Whither Environmental Archaeology, Oxbow Books Ltd, Oxford.

Lyman R.L (1994) Vertebrae Taphonomy, Cambridge University Press

O’Connor T.P. (2000) The Archaeology of Animal Bones, Sutton.

Olsen P.S. (1988) ‘Surface Modification on Bone: Trampling versus Butchery’ in Journal of Archaeological Science 15, 535-559.

Reitz, E.J and Wing, E.S. (2008) Zooarchaeolgoy Second Edition. Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology, Cambrige University Press.

Schmid, E. (1972) Atlas of Animal Bones for Prehistorians, Arhcaeologists and Quaternary Geologists. Amerstadam, London, New York, Elsevier Publishing.

Shaffer, B.S. & Sanchez, J.L.J (1994) Comparison of 1/8” and 1/4” mesh recovery of controlled samples of small-to-medium-sized mammals. American Antiquity 59 (3), 525-30.

Silver, I.A. (1969) ‘The Ageing of Domestic Animals’ in D.R. Brothwell and E. Higgs (eds.) Science in Archaeology, 283-302, London.

Sternke, F. Dr. (2007) A022/055 E3241 Lithic Report, forthcoming

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Tobin, R. (2009) Site A022/055 E3241 Final Report N11 Rathnew to Arklow Road Improvement, forthcoming.

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APPENDIX 3: LIST OF N11 RATHNEW TO ARKLOW ROAD IMPROVEMENT SITE NAMES

Ministerial Direction No. Townland NMS Registration Number Director A022/016 Ballinaskea E3201 Yvonne Whitty A022/017 Ballinaskea E3202 Yvonne Whitty A022/018 Ballinaskea E3203 Yvonne Whitty A022/019 Ballymoyle E3204 Yvonne Whitty A022/020 Ballymoyle E3205 Yvonne Whitty A022/021 Scratenagh E3206 Goorik Dehaene A022/022 Scratenagh E3207 Goorik Dehaene A022/023 Scratenagh E3208 Goorik Dehaene A022/024 Scratenagh E3209 Goorik Dehaene A022/025 Scratenagh E3210 Goorik Dehaene A022/026 Scratenagh E3211 Goorik Dehaene A022/027 Ballyrogan Lower E3212 Goorik Dehaene A022/028 Ballyrogan Lower E3213 Goorik Dehaene A022/029 Ballyrogan Lower E3214 Goorik Dehaene A022/030 Ballyrogan Lower E3215 Yvonne Whitty A022/031 Cranagh E3216 Yvonne Whitty A022/032 Cranagh E3217 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/033 Cranagh E3218 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/034 Cranagh E3219 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/035 Ballynapark E3220 Goorik Dehaene A022/036 Cloghoge E3221 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/037 Ballynapark E3222 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/038 Ballynapark E3223 Goorik Dehaene A022/039 Cloghoge E3224 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/040 Ballyclogh South E3226 Yvonne Whitty A022/041 Ballyclogh North E3227 Yvonne Whitty A022/042 Ballyclogh North E3228 Yvonne Whitty A022/043 Ballyclogh North E3229 Yvonne Whitty A022/044 Ballyclogh North E3230 Yvonne Whitty A022/045 Ballyclogh North E3231 Yvonne Whitty A022/046 Ballyclogh North E3232 Yvonne Whitty A022/047 Kilmurry South E3233 Yvonne Whitty A022/048 Kilmurry South E3234 Yvonne Whitty A022/049 Kilmurry South E3235 Red Tobin A022/050 Kilmurry North E3236 Red Tobin A022/051 Ballyvaltron E3237 Goorik Dehaene A022/052 Ballyvaltron E3238 Goorik Dehaene A022/053 Ballyvaltron E3239 Goorik Dehaene A022/054 Ballinacor East E3240 Red Tobin A022/055 Ballinacor East E3241 Red Tobin A022/056 Ballinacor East E3242 Red Tobin A022/057 Ballard Lower E3243 Red Tobin A022/058 Breagura E3244 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/059 Breagura E3245 Goorik Dehaene A022/060 Ballinameesda Upper E3246 Yvonne Whitty A022/061 Coolacork E3247 Yvonne Whitty A022/062 Coolacork E3248 Yvonne Whitty A022/063 Roscath E3249 Yvonne Whitty A022/064 Coolbeg E3250 Goorik Dehaene A022/065 Coolbeg E3251 Goorik Dehaene A022/066 Coolbeg E3252 Goorik Dehaene

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Ministerial Direction No. Townland NMS Registration Number Director A022/067 Coolbeg E3253 Goorik Dehaene A022/068 Coolbeg E3254 Goorik Dehaene A022/069 Coolbeg E3255 Goorik Dehaene A022/070 Coolbeg E3256 Goorik Dehaene A022/071 Coolbeg E3257 Goorik Dehaene A022/072 Coolbeg E3258 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/073 Coolbeg E3259 Red Tobin A022/074 Ballinaclogh E3260 Goorik Dehaene A022/075 Ballinaclogh E3261 Goorik Dehaene A022/076 Ballinaclogh E3262 Goorik Dehaene A022/077 Ballinaclogh E3263 Ellen O’ Carroll A022/081 Cloghoge E3225 Ellen O’ Carroll

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