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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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Limerick<br />

backfilled deposit. <strong>The</strong> metalled track-way was identified as a linear stony band (maximum <strong>of</strong><br />

3.30m by 9.25m) and animal bone from its upper level produced a 2Σ calibrated date <strong>of</strong> A.D.<br />

1016-1179.<br />

Another stone track-way (2.80m wide) defined on its western edge by a stone setting (0.5-<br />

0.8m wide) was identified inside the enclosure. This stone spread post-dated a partially<br />

excavated ditch feature (2.1m wide and over 0.75m deep). Animal bone from the fill <strong>of</strong> the<br />

pit/ditch produced a 2Σ calibrated date <strong>of</strong> A.D. 1032-1210 indicating that it was roughly<br />

contemporary with the stone spread. Another large undated pit (over 1m deep) contained a<br />

large quantity <strong>of</strong> animal bone suggesting that it was used as a dump in its final stages.<br />

<strong>The</strong> artefacts from the site were limited to stone and metal and included whet-, rubber- and<br />

hone-stones, a clay bead, curved lignite bracelet, possible lignite pendant, iron rods, copperalloy<br />

tube and a copper-alloy clip as well as a large flint and chert lithic assemblage. Evidence<br />

for iron/metalworking was indicated by a small quantity <strong>of</strong> iron slag (65g), a furnace bottom,<br />

a possible clay mould and two small fragments <strong>of</strong> fired clay, possibly from furnace lining.<br />

Cattle dominated the large faunal assemblage at the site and were followed by sheep, pig,<br />

wild bird, dog, frog, cat, horse and woodmouse in descending order. Butchery marks and the<br />

evidence for complete carcasses from the three main livestock animals indicate that<br />

slaughtering and butchery were carried out within the confines <strong>of</strong> the enclosure. Barley was<br />

the preferred cereal crop followed by oats and wheat.<br />

<strong>The</strong> large palisaded enclosure at Ballynagallagh is quite unique in the Irish archaeological<br />

record as early medieval ‘ringforts’ or ‘ráths’ are generally much smaller (Stout 1997, 15). A<br />

partially excavated oval-ditched enclosure (70m by 52m) at Killederdadrum, Co. Tipperary<br />

had evidence for internal circular structures, a deliberately backfilled ditch and a possible<br />

bank palisade; similar features which are also found at Ballynagallagh.<br />

Fig. 199: Plan <strong>of</strong> areas <strong>of</strong> excavation and magnetometry survey (after Cleary 2006, 4).<br />

411

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