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

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Galway<br />

Carrowkeel, Co. Galway<br />

Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery.<br />

Grid Ref: M59322394 (159326/223949)<br />

SMR No: GA097-066<br />

Excavation Licence: A024/E2046<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: September 2005 – January 2006.<br />

Site Director: B. Wilkins (Headland Archaeology)<br />

<strong>The</strong> site consisted <strong>of</strong> a large enclosure, contained within a bank and ditch, set on the brow <strong>of</strong><br />

a ridge (Fig. 151). Excavation was required to facilitate road construction. Three main phases<br />

<strong>of</strong> occupation were discovered during excavation – a series <strong>of</strong> ditches <strong>of</strong> Neolithic date; an<br />

early medieval enclosure associated with a cemetery; and later cultivation.<br />

<strong>The</strong> main early medieval enclosure was defined by a U-shaped ditch, on average 3m wide<br />

and 1.5m deep. This enclosed an area 65m by 47m at the top <strong>of</strong> the hill. Traces <strong>of</strong> three<br />

contemporary and parallel ditches appear to have subdivided this enclosure and delineated<br />

the eastern edge <strong>of</strong> a burial area that contained 158 individuals. <strong>The</strong> fill layers from the<br />

ditches suggest a gradual natural silting, followed by a deliberate in-filling <strong>of</strong> the ditch,<br />

possibly as a result <strong>of</strong> field clearance.<br />

Few structural features were identified from this phase, and consisted mainly <strong>of</strong> two (or<br />

three) ‘cooking pits’ – i.e. negative features associated with burning and animal bone. A large<br />

number <strong>of</strong> animal bones (13,631) were recovered from this phase, consisting only <strong>of</strong><br />

domesticates. <strong>The</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> the assemblage - including neo-natals – suggests that there was<br />

a viable settlement on site, rather than it being the result <strong>of</strong> feasting associated with the<br />

burial site. Radiocarbon dates from 40 skeletons (see below) suggest that the site was used<br />

for around four centuries from A.D. 650 – 1050. Later skeletons appear to relate to the<br />

cemetery being used as a cillín.<br />

297

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