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

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Sligo<br />

‘Grange West’ (inc. Ballybeg, Knocknahur, Luffertan and Seafield tds.), Co. Sligo<br />

Early Medieval Unenclosed Settlements.<br />

Grid Reference: G63003300 (163000/333000)<br />

SMR No: SL014-152; SL014-153; SL014-158002;<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 1980; 1981.<br />

Site Director: G. Burenhult (University <strong>of</strong> Stockholm).<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> small-scale excavations were undertaken on ‘kitchen middens’ along the coast<br />

between the prehistoric burial complex at Carrowmore and Ballysadare Bay. <strong>The</strong>se sites<br />

largely consisted <strong>of</strong> house platforms, built up with a double circle <strong>of</strong> stones, which probably<br />

represent the inner and outer revetments <strong>of</strong> turf walls. Shell middens were also associated<br />

with these sites. Radiocarbon dates from five <strong>of</strong> the sites show that they were not associated<br />

with the prehistoric activity at Carrowmore, but were <strong>of</strong> an early medieval date. No enclosure<br />

appears to have been identified around these structures, and they must therefore be<br />

considered to have been small isolated coastal huts.<br />

Only two <strong>of</strong> the sites are recorded to any degree (Settlement 2: Grange West; and Settlement<br />

8: Luffertan). <strong>The</strong> double-ringed enclosure at Grange West was oval in shape (19m by 24m).<br />

Excavation uncovered a series <strong>of</strong> postholes along the axis <strong>of</strong> the excavation trench, as well as<br />

seven postholes associated with a paved surface and a hearth (Fig. 275). A large<br />

concentration <strong>of</strong> sea-shells was also discovered close to the entrance <strong>of</strong> a (possibly<br />

associated) souterrain. Finds from this site included two iron fragments; one piece <strong>of</strong> iron<br />

slag; two whetstones; and four sherds <strong>of</strong> unidentified pottery.<br />

<strong>The</strong> site at Luffertan was roughly circular (20m in diameter), and excavation revealed the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> three smaller internal ditches (<strong>of</strong> which at least two were concentric). <strong>The</strong> dates<br />

from this site range from the Iron Age through to the early medieval period (see below), and<br />

finds included a pair <strong>of</strong> iron shears; two iron knives; an iron arrowhead; an iron<br />

arrow/spearhead; three pieces <strong>of</strong> iron slag; and two glass beads.<br />

Excavation at a large earthen enclosure at Knocknahur (70m in diameter) uncovered two cist<br />

burials at the centre <strong>of</strong> the monument. Radiocarbon dates <strong>of</strong> charcoal from one <strong>of</strong> these<br />

burials gave an early medieval date. Finds associated with this burial included three<br />

fragments <strong>of</strong> jet bracelet; six fragments <strong>of</strong> bronze; two fragments <strong>of</strong> iron; and two iron<br />

knives.<br />

617

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