AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

Cork
charcoal from its primary fill returned a radiocarbon date of A.D. 582-694 which indicates it
was a later addition to the main settlement enclosure. The ditch and internal features were
concealed by a substantial spread of redeposited natural material which may have once
formed the bank.
This area enclosed three circular structures, three cereal-drying kilns, a cooking pit and a
possible souterrain. Two isolated linear features pre-dated the ditch while a small pit in
proximity could not be dated or stratigraphically related. Three phases of activity were
observed in the upper L-shaped enclosure.
The most northern structure (Structure VII), located in the north-eastern corner of the upper
enclosure, was sub-circular and of slot-trench construction. It measured 4.6m north-south by
5.6m east-west. The slot trench contained four postholes while three postholes, three stakeholes
and a possible stoned-lined pit were located within the structure. The building’s
function is unclear. A lack of artefacts and hearth do not support its use as a dwelling.
However, it may have been the home of a base client or low-status individual who performed
labour for the occupants of the main settlement. Alternatively, it may have been an
agricultural building, perhaps used for storage.
Structure VIII was a circular building of shallow slot trench construction that was located
approximately 4.5m south of Structure VII. It measured 5.1m in diameter. Two internal and
six external postholes were recorded. The internal postholes were situated towards the front
of the structure and may have held roof supports. Most of the external postholes were
located immediately outside the slot trench and may have held wall supports. It was similar in
construction to Structure VII and there was likewise no evidence for a hearth or any finds
suggestive of habitation. Any of the interpretations put forward for Structure VII could be
equally valid here.
The last structure in the upper enclosure consisted of two separate circular slot trenches
around a cereal-drying kiln (Structure IX). The northern slot trench was similarly sized to the
southern trench and the diameter of structure was 6.6.m. Fourteen postholes were
associated with the slot trenches and may have held wall supports. This structure may have
acted as a windbreak for the enclosed cereal-drying kiln. The kiln was partially truncated by a
later stone-lined cereal-drying kiln. Another kiln was situated in close proximity to the north.
No finds were found in association with any of the kilns.
A potential souterrain extended from the northern ditch of the main square-shaped
settlement enclosure into the upper enclosed area. It was 6.1m long and 0.9m wide. A thin
spread of charcoal suggests the souterrain may have been timber-lined. Some fragments of
burnt animal bone were the only finds retrieved from the souterrain fills.
The final feature within the upper enclosure was a large circular pit which was located 7.5m
to the southwest of Structure IX. There was evidence for in-situ burning and its upper fills
included fragments of heat-fractured stones and burnt bone. Charred oat grains were
recovered from the pit’s lower fill and it appears this it functioned as an open-air cooking pit.
A small number of unstratified finds were recovered mainly from the topsoil on the. These
included fragments of quern stones and an iron knife.
Excavations at Ballynacarriga revealed a multi-phased early medieval square-shaped
settlement enclosure with a slightly later appended northern enclosure. There was extensive
evidence for internal structures within the main enclosure including a round house, a barn or
coup, pits, an open hearth, a number of potential buildings, two souterrains and a cerealdrying
kiln. Although the stratigraphic relationship of some features was uncertain, we know
that the circular house was relaced by a later possible rectangular building and it is likely – as
represented by numerous stake-holes and postholes – that dwellings and related structures
were replaced and modified across generations. The settlement evidence was mainly confined
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