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

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Dublin<br />

Areas’ D and E were similalrly divided by ditches while pits, postholes and two cereal-drying kilns<br />

were present in these areas. A number <strong>of</strong> ditches were also identified radiating out from the outer<br />

enclosure which probably represented the remains <strong>of</strong> further field systems.<br />

Excavations at Ballynakelly revealed a substantial early medieval settlement enclosure with evidence<br />

for related field enclosures. Based on dated internal features and later dates from the middle fill <strong>of</strong><br />

both the inner and outer enclosure ditches, it appears that the settlement was in use between the<br />

seventh and eighth centuries. A radiocarbon date from one <strong>of</strong> the field ditches, between the two main<br />

enclosure ditches, indicates that it too was contemporary with main settlement phase. <strong>The</strong> fields<br />

varied in size but were probably utilised for the growing <strong>of</strong> cereals. This is further supported by the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> three cereal-drying kilns and pits containing charred seeds. It is possible that two <strong>of</strong> the<br />

kilns, between the inner and outer enclosures, were contemporary with the initial use <strong>of</strong> the<br />

settlement. <strong>The</strong> larger L-shaped kiln, within the inner enclosure, was used for drying grain after the<br />

settlement’s abandonment. This probably occurred in the ninth century. Artefacts and animal bone<br />

were scarce, which is unusual for a site <strong>of</strong> this scale, although the latter may have been the result <strong>of</strong><br />

decomposition factors. It appears that the inhabitants <strong>of</strong> Ballynakelly occupied the settlement across<br />

a few generations. <strong>The</strong>y practised a mixed farming economy and repaired their own iron tools as<br />

suggested by the small quantities <strong>of</strong> iron slag. <strong>The</strong>y lived a rather modest lifestyle as indicated by a<br />

general lack <strong>of</strong> dress or high-status items while the general absence <strong>of</strong> ditch re-cuts and modification<br />

also suggests they could not call upon the work <strong>of</strong> base clients.<br />

Radiocarbon Dates:<br />

(PJ Reimer, MGL Baillie, E Bard, A Bayliss, JW Beck, C Bertrand, PG Blackwell, CE Buck, G Burr, KB Cutler, PE Damon, RL<br />

Edwards, RG Fairbanks, M Friedrich, TP Guilderson, KA Hughen, B Kromer, FG McCormac, S Manning, C Bronk Ramsey, RW<br />

Reimer, S Remmele, JR Southon, M Stuiver, S Talamo, FW Taylor, J van der Plicht, and CE Weyhenmeyer (2004), Radiocarbon<br />

46:1029-1058).<br />

Sample No.<br />

Context<br />

UB-7566 Left rib <strong>of</strong> human<br />

burial<br />

UB-7567<br />

Charcoal from middle<br />

deposit <strong>of</strong> inner<br />

enclosure ditch<br />

UBA-9845 Animal bone from<br />

internal ditch within<br />

inner enclosure<br />

UBA-9844 Animal bone from<br />

largest gully within<br />

inner enclosure<br />

UB-7570 Animal bone from<br />

primary fill <strong>of</strong> large<br />

pit/cistern within inner<br />

enclosure<br />

UB-7571 Charcoal from layer<br />

overlying main silt<br />

deposit within outer<br />

enclosure ditch<br />

UB-7569<br />

Charcoal from ditch <strong>of</strong><br />

large oval field in<br />

south-eastern section<br />

between inner and<br />

outer enclosures<br />

14 C Date Cal. 2 Σ<br />

1597±33 BP A.D. 401-543<br />

1173±31 BP A.D. 775-901; A.D<br />

917-966<br />

1359±30 BP A.D. 614-694; A.D.<br />

704-705; A.D. 748-765<br />

1297±22 BP A.D. 664-727; A.D.<br />

737-771<br />

1327±32 BP A.D. 648-724; A.D.<br />

739-771<br />

1130±29 BP A.D. 783-788; A.D.<br />

815-843; A.D. 859-<br />

988<br />

1271±31 BP A.D. 663-783; A.D.<br />

789-813; A.D. 844-857<br />

Reference<br />

224

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