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

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Limerick<br />

Raheennamadra, Co. Limerick<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure<br />

Grid Ref: R74282932 (174282/129329)<br />

SMR No: LI041-013011<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/year: July - September 1960; July - August 1961<br />

Site Director: M. Stenberger (University <strong>of</strong> Uppsala)<br />

A univallate platform enclosure at Raheennamadra, excavated in 1960 and 1961 by the<br />

University <strong>of</strong> Uppsala, revealed an early medieval hut, souterrain, paved courtyard and two<br />

extended furnished human skeletons (Fig. 210). <strong>The</strong> site belongs to a group <strong>of</strong> three<br />

enclosures which are situated in open grazing land and delimited by a number <strong>of</strong> small<br />

streams and ditches.<br />

Pre-enclosure habitation phase was suggested by the excavation <strong>of</strong> an isolated oval-shaped<br />

hearth filled with charcoal and burnt clay on top <strong>of</strong> the original ground surface. <strong>The</strong> charcoal<br />

returned a calibrated 2Σ date <strong>of</strong> B.C. 60- A.D. 429. <strong>The</strong> hearth was not associated with any<br />

other features and may represent the remnants <strong>of</strong> temporary dwelling pre-dating the<br />

enclosure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> enclosure consisted <strong>of</strong> a low platform - approximately 0.75m high - surrounded by a<br />

bank-and-ditch. <strong>The</strong> diameter <strong>of</strong> the site was roughly 38m-40m and the platform inside the<br />

bank was some 25m across. <strong>The</strong> ditch was U-shaped in pr<strong>of</strong>ile and was cut into the boulder<br />

clay. It varied from 1.3m to 1.5m in depth and was approximately 3m wide at the top and 1m<br />

at the bottom.<br />

<strong>The</strong> enclosing bank survived to a height <strong>of</strong> 0.6m-1.1m above the old ground surface. <strong>The</strong><br />

bank had a core <strong>of</strong> boulder clay surrounded on both sides by an extensive humus layer which<br />

in turn was covered with boulder clay. Some round shallow depressions were identified<br />

between the bank and the edge <strong>of</strong> the external ditch and may represent postholes for a<br />

supporting palisade.<br />

<strong>The</strong> north-western entrance appears to have been protected by side-posts and an unusual<br />

gated palisade (c.f. Garryduff II, Co. Cork) filling the gap between the ends <strong>of</strong> the enclosing<br />

banks<br />

A 2m wide metalled surface was excavated in the centre <strong>of</strong> the entrance passage and formed<br />

part <strong>of</strong> a large early paved courtyard (75m 2 ) in the northern part <strong>of</strong> the enclosure.<br />

A partially destroyed circular wall trench in the centre <strong>of</strong> the site was interpreted as a round<br />

house, 6m-7m in diameter. A hearth (II) was found beside and on top <strong>of</strong> the southern part <strong>of</strong><br />

this trench and evidently post-dates the possible hut. Charcoal from the hearth returned a 2Σ<br />

date between A.D. 537 and A.D. 995. <strong>The</strong> southern side <strong>of</strong> the hut trench touched a wall <strong>of</strong><br />

the souterrain.<br />

<strong>The</strong> souterrain was revealed in the southern part <strong>of</strong> the enclosure and contained a number <strong>of</strong><br />

backfilled clay deposits. A small number <strong>of</strong> animal bones and fragments <strong>of</strong> a bone comb were<br />

found in its primary fill. <strong>The</strong> floor in the northern part <strong>of</strong> the souterrain was covered by a<br />

burnt layer which had originated from Hearth II. A hearth and an iron leather-scorer were<br />

identified in one <strong>of</strong> the upper fills and indicate a temporary re-use <strong>of</strong> the structure when it<br />

was already half backfilled. A bronze ring-pin was also recovered on top <strong>of</strong> the eastern wall <strong>of</strong><br />

the souterrain.<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> radiocarbon dates were retrieved from various contexts inside the souterrain.<br />

Charcoal samples from the butts <strong>of</strong> timber ro<strong>of</strong>ing props on the floor <strong>of</strong> the souterrain<br />

returned dates <strong>of</strong> A.D. 555-995 or A.D. 340-890; and A.D. 581-1016 [all 2Σ]. <strong>The</strong> use <strong>of</strong> the<br />

souterrain was roughly contemporary with Hearth II (A.D. 537- 995) because burnt remains<br />

from the functioning hearth had washed down to the open floor <strong>of</strong> the souterrain.<br />

438

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