EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Waterford
The final phase of activity was associated with the use of the site as a cemetery in relatively
recent times. A large number of shallow burials- 0.35m-0.60m- were cut into the blackish
organic-rich layer. The bones were in a very fragmentary condition and no grave-goods were
found in association with any of them. Some of the human teeth studied showed evidence for
caries which is generally common among a later medieval or modern population.
Though three ogham stones have been discovered on the site, there was no clear evidence
for an early medieval cemetery. Two slabs placed on edge roughly parallel to each other
(marked ‘GRAVE’ on plan) were revealed to the northwest of the centre of the enclosure and
appear to look like the surviving fragments of a stone-lined grave. There was, however, no
evidence for the continuation of this feature and its function or date cannot be established.
In keeping with the traditions describing the sites as a cemetery, the burials uncovered all
appear to be more recent than the early medieval period. They consisted of a large number
of shallow pits- 0.35m-0.60m- cut into the black organic-rich layer. The bones were in a very
fragmentary condition and no grave-goods were uncovered. Some of the human teeth
studied showed evidence for caries which is generally common among a later medieval or
modern population
Excavations at the site of the mound of stones at the west side of the enclosure uncovered
the remains of a large north-south stone-faced wall- 20m long by 1m thick. The jamb-stones
and possible lintel of an entrance-way through the wall were uncovered at the northern end.
Three ogham stones- two recorded in the nineteenth century- were found along the line of
the wall. They appear to have been removed from their original context and re-used as jambstones
for this wall. No finds or mortar were associated with the wall and its date could not
be established.
A collection of stones at the southern end of the enclosure were tentatively interpreted as
evidence for a possible return wall of the north-south structure. At a slightly higher level and
to the east of these stones was a layer of water-worn stones, interpreted as the foundations
of a jamb of a doorway of some form of structure.
Finds from the excavation included four quern-stones, the possible end of a knife-blade as
well as a series of worked stones. One ogham stone was also discovered increasing the total
number of these monuments recorded at the site to three.
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