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

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Dublin<br />

the floor. A circular chamber was also present in the eastern souterrain and, similalrly this had a pit<br />

cut into its floor. Finds from both souterrains included animal bone, shells, a possible iron pin and<br />

souterrain ware pottery which can date between the seventh and twelfth centuries. A sub-oval<br />

hearth, surrounded by nine stakeholes, was located to the north <strong>of</strong> the western souterrain and<br />

showed evidence for multiple burnings.<br />

A pennanular enclosure, approximately 18m in diameter, was located to the west <strong>of</strong> the settlement<br />

enclosure and souterrains on a south-facing slope on the highest part <strong>of</strong> the site. It was open to the<br />

north and the ditch showed evidence for natural silting apart from the eastern terminus which was<br />

deliberately back-filled. Animal bone, shell and flint were identified in the ditch fills. Six pits, including<br />

two possible hearths, were evident within the enclosure and these produced animal bone, burnt<br />

bone, flint and a metal blade. A east-west ditch was located to the north <strong>of</strong> the enclosure entrance<br />

and extended for 47m. A possible whetstone and animal bone were retrieved from the ditch fill.<br />

Excavations at Barnageeragh produced archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age to late medieval<br />

periods. Although no radiocarbon dates are available as yet, it appears that an enclosed settlement<br />

was constructed during the early middle-ages. Evidence for habitation included a possible house, pits,<br />

hearths and finds such as animal bone, shells and a number <strong>of</strong> dress and functional items. It is likely<br />

that the souterrain within the enclosure is related to that settlement phase due to its proximal<br />

relationship with the possible dwelling. <strong>The</strong> settlement’s occupants modified the ditch at some point<br />

to slightly expand the site but it then appears that the enclosed settlement was abandoned in favour<br />

<strong>of</strong> two unenclosed souterrains a short distance to the west. A number <strong>of</strong> pits and hearths further<br />

testify to domestic activity. <strong>The</strong> pennanular enclosure to the west may have functioned as an animal<br />

enclosure although its chronological relationship to other features is unclear. Indeed, many <strong>of</strong> the<br />

features on the site could not be stratigraphically related so their relationships will not be fully<br />

resolved until radiocarbon dates are available.<br />

Fig. 109: Barnageeragh (After Corcoran 2009, 39)<br />

227

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