EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Sligo
‘Grange West’ (inc. Ballybeg, Knocknahur, Luffertan and Seafield tds.), Co. Sligo
Early Medieval Unenclosed Settlements.
Grid Reference: G63003300 (163000/333000)
SMR No: SL014-152; SL014-153; SL014-158002;
Excavation Licence: N/A
Excavation Duration/Year: 1980; 1981.
Site Director: G. Burenhult (University of Stockholm).
A number of small-scale excavations were undertaken on ‘kitchen middens’ along the coast
between the prehistoric burial complex at Carrowmore and Ballysadare Bay. These sites
largely consisted of house platforms, built up with a double circle of stones, which probably
represent the inner and outer revetments of turf walls. Shell middens were also associated
with these sites. Radiocarbon dates from five of the sites show that they were not associated
with the prehistoric activity at Carrowmore, but were of an early medieval date. No enclosure
appears to have been identified around these structures, and they must therefore be
considered to have been small isolated coastal huts.
Only two of the sites are recorded to any degree (Settlement 2: Grange West; and Settlement
8: Luffertan). The double-ringed enclosure at Grange West was oval in shape (19m by 24m).
Excavation uncovered a series of postholes along the axis of the excavation trench, as well as
seven postholes associated with a paved surface and a hearth (Fig. 259). A large
concentration of sea-shells was also discovered close to the entrance of a (possibly
associated) souterrain. Finds from this site included two iron fragments; one piece of iron
slag; two whetstones; and four sherds of unidentified pottery.
The site at Luffertan was roughly circular (20m in diameter), and excavation revealed the
presence of three smaller internal ditches (of which at least two were concentric). The dates
from this site range from the Iron Age through to the early medieval period (see below), and
finds included a pair of iron shears; two iron knives; an iron arrowhead; an iron
arrow/spearhead; three pieces of iron slag; and two glass beads.
Excavation at a large earthen enclosure at Knocknahur (70m in diameter) uncovered two cist
burials at the centre of the monument. Radiocarbon dates of charcoal from one of these
burials gave an early medieval date. Finds associated with this burial included three
fragments of jet bracelet; six fragments of bronze; two fragments of iron; and two iron
knives.
551