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

Cork
to the southern flat area of the enclosure and it was here that witnessed the most intensive
activity.
At a later stage, the occupants at Ballnacarriga constructed an additional enclosure to the
north of their settlement. This area enclosed further structures and cereal-drying kilns. Two
of the circular structures were very similar in form and were probably contemporary. These
may represent the dwelling places of base clients or servants who lived beside their lords and
who were responsible for the upkeep and labour of the settlement and farm.
The family at Ballynacarriga practised a mixed agricultural economy. Animal bone was largely
absent from the site but this was due to poor preservation conditions and there can be little
doubt that the occupants had access to a relatively large supply of animals. Cereal processing
was also evident as indicated by the cereal-drying kilns and quern stones. Although the kiln
within the main enclosure probably post-dated the initial settlement activity on the site, those
within the upper enclosure may have been contemporary with this first phase as they were
situated a safe distance from the dwellings and farm buildings. Small-scale tool repair is
suggested by some iron slag within one of the pits although no smithing hearths were
identified. Although other finds were scarce, notably dress items, it appears that this family,
across a number of generations, lived a comfortable life until the settlement was abandoned,
possibly during the ninth or tenth centuries. It appears that both the main and upper
enclosure ditches were backfilled at the same time and therefore both areas of the site were
potentially abandoned simultaneously.
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