EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Limerick
Grange, Co. Limerick
Early Medieval Raised Enclosure
Grid Ref: R63734263 (163737/142633)
SMR No: LI023-068
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: Summer 1948; Summer 1949
Site Director: S.P. Ó Ríordáin (University College Cork)
A raised enclosure at Grange revealed an internal early medieval hut and associated hearths
pre-dated by hearths of uncertain date. Also excavated during this excavation season were
five sites (I-V) in the adjacent Ballingoola townland comprising two prehistoric ring-barrows (I
& II) and three possible ring-ditches of uncertain date (III-V). The sites were situated in a
marshy valley of the Camoge north of Lough Gur and were divided by a deep stream forming
the boundary of the two townlands.
The sites were excavated in the summer of 1948 (Grange and Ballingoola I-IV), and 1949
(Ballingoola V) as part of continuing research into the Lough Gur area. The area of these sites
excavated comprised the entrance (if present), considerable portions of the interior as well as
sections through the enclosing features- banks and ditches.
Two phases of activity were identified at the enclosure at Grange (Fig. 192). Prior to the
construction of the enclosure, the site was covered by a deposit of peat which overly a layer
of alluvial clay. A pre-enclosure phase consisted of a number of hearths associated with small
burnt stones deep in the peat. The largest hearth overlay a hollow containing many roots and
some hazel nuts. It was suggested that this area may have formed a small hummock in
ancient times on which hearths connected with temporary occupation were built.
This hummock may have attracted the builders of the enclosure to this site. Its enclosing
ditch was cut through the peat into the alluvial clay to a depth of approximately 0.50m with
the material obtained from it- peat and clay- being used to form a low bank. The slight outer
bank was very irregular and did not exist everywhere.
The enclosure at Grange was 32m in diameter and was marked by a bank, ditch and slight
traces of outer bank. The enclosing bank was contemporary with a spread of clay overlying
the peat that extended from the banks on the east towards the centre of the site. On the dry
clay surface was a circular deposit of charcoal, fragments of charred wood and burnt clay,
interpreted as the remains of a burnt structure, 5m in diameter with wattle and clay walls. No
trace of any postholes was found. A patch of burning in the centre of the huts interior was
identified as a hearth. Evidence for other firing hearths in the open was also uncovered on
the clay surface near the hut. Fragments of burnt bone and pieces of iron slag were
recovered from these features.
The entrance was along the western perimeter of the enclosure. There was no evidence for a
gate at the entrance, except for one doubtful post-hole half-way between the two stone-lined
ditch terminals. A considerable spread of charcoal and remains of brushwood was uncovered
in the entrance and immediately outside. This was very tentatively interpreted as the remains
of some simple, makeshift method of closing the entrance such as placing bushes in the
opening.
Finds from the peat included a chert arrow-head, stone spindle-whorl, two hammer-stones,
whet-stones and seven flint-flakes. Iron slag was recovered from various places in the peat
as well as on the clay floor where six flint flakes, one bone point, and one whetstone were
recovered. The finds from the peat indicate a long chronological period and were not all
necessarily contemporary with each other. The stone spindle-whorl, one whetstone and some
iron slag from beneath the clay floor could indicate an earlier phase of early medieval activity
on the site.
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