10.01.2014 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Mayo<br />

Carrowkeel, Co. Mayo<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: M09651705 (109657/317058)<br />

SMR No: MA038-004<br />

Excavation Licence: 02E0598<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: June - December 2002; September – October 2003.<br />

Site Director: G. Walsh (National Roads Authority) & S. Zajac (Mayo County<br />

Council).<br />

<strong>The</strong> site consisted <strong>of</strong> a sub-circular bank-and-ditched enclosure (26m by 23m) set on gently<br />

sloping ground (Fig. 232). Excavation <strong>of</strong> the site was required in order to facilitate road<br />

construction. Evidence <strong>of</strong> an earlier Bronze Age ‘ritual’ enclosure and associated burials were<br />

also found on site.<br />

Investigation <strong>of</strong> the bank revealed that it consisted <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> re-deposited mineral soils<br />

laid down in regular layers in a clockwise direction: this material appear to have been sourced<br />

from just outside the enclosure. <strong>The</strong> site was quite degraded, but evidence for a stone<br />

revetment was identified on the external face <strong>of</strong> the bank. <strong>The</strong> probably entranceway was<br />

also associated with stone revetting, and large, possible postholes were discovered<br />

underlying these stones, possibly representing gate-posts <strong>of</strong> an earlier phased entrance.<br />

<strong>The</strong> ditch was U-shaped with an average width <strong>of</strong> 4m and depth <strong>of</strong> 2.2m. A small assemblage<br />

<strong>of</strong> animal bones (including deer bones) were recovered from the lower fills <strong>of</strong> the ditch, as<br />

well as part <strong>of</strong> a quernstone, the shaft <strong>of</strong> a bronze ring pin, and a pointed piece <strong>of</strong> corroded<br />

iron.<br />

<strong>The</strong> interior <strong>of</strong> the site was greatly disturbed by later re-use <strong>of</strong> the site, firstly as a cillín, and<br />

also for agriculture. <strong>The</strong> remains <strong>of</strong> a spindle whorl and a blue glass bead were recovered<br />

from the disturbed topsoil. A large pit (2m by 1.2m by 0.65m deep) was the major surviving<br />

internal feature. Finds from this included animal bone, a bone weaving-tool, iron slag and iron<br />

objects. Similar finds were recovered from an adjacent surviving occupation horizon.<br />

Fig. 232: Plan <strong>of</strong> enclosure at Carrowkeel, Co. Mayo (after Walsh & Zajac 2004).<br />

References:<br />

Walsh, G. & Zajac, S. 2004. Excavation <strong>of</strong> an enclosure at Carrowkeel, Crossmolina, Co.<br />

Mayo. Unpub’d report for National Roads Authority & Mayo County Council.<br />

491

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!