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

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

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Galway<br />

Loughbown (2), Co. Galway<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: M81732872 (181730/228729)<br />

SMR No: GA087-177<br />

Excavation Licence: A024/E2054<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 2005.<br />

Site Director: N. Bower (Eachtra)<br />

<strong>The</strong> site consists <strong>of</strong> a banked-and-ditched enclosure (37m by 48m) placed on the brow <strong>of</strong> a<br />

small hill (Fig. 157). Excavation <strong>of</strong> the site was required to facilitate road building. Prior to the<br />

main excavation a test excavation had taken place in 2004, and a geo-physical survey <strong>of</strong> the<br />

interior had indicated a number <strong>of</strong> anomalies.<br />

Excavation <strong>of</strong> the enclosure bank revealed postholes along the inner and outer faces <strong>of</strong> the<br />

bank, and these were interpreted as evidence for wooden shoring on both faces. Radiocarbon<br />

dates from this construction phase suggest that material from an earlier Iron Age site may<br />

have been re-worked into the early medieval bank (see below). This wooden facing may have<br />

been complimented by a facing <strong>of</strong> small limestone stones on the interior face <strong>of</strong> the bank. A<br />

metalled entrance-way was revealed, associated with two large postholes for the gate.<br />

Around 60% <strong>of</strong> the site interior was composed <strong>of</strong> exposed bedrock, thus there were few<br />

structural remains. An area <strong>of</strong> activity was however identified in the northwest <strong>of</strong> the interior,<br />

consisting <strong>of</strong> a slot trench, ten postholes (in an irregular pattern), and three pits. An early<br />

medieval radiocarbon date was returned from associated charcoal (see below).<br />

Few finds were recovered from this site, leading the excavator to suggest it may have been<br />

used as a cattle corral. <strong>The</strong>se consisted <strong>of</strong> an incomplete shale/lignite bracelet; a quernstone;<br />

an iron knife-blade; and a flint flake and hammer stone.<br />

Fig. 157: Plan <strong>of</strong> excavation at Loughbawn (2), Co. Galway, showing relevant features (after<br />

Bower 2009, 30).<br />

314

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