Archaeological Report - Derrycarney, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3740 - Derrycarney, Co. Tipperary
Single Pit

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Derrycarney
Co Tipperary
Single Pit

July 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National Roads Authority

Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)

E No: E3740

Excavation Director: Jacinta Kiely

Written by: Jacinta Kiely

Derrycarney
Co Tipperary

Excavation Director

Jacinta Kiely

Written By

Jacinta Kiely

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

CORK GALWAY
The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: info@eachtra.ie tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: galway@eachtra.ie

© 2011
The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland

Table of Contents
Summary��iii
Acknowledgements�� iv
1 Scope of the project �� 1
2 Route location�� 1
3 Receiving environment �� 3
4 Archaeological and historical background �� 4
Mesolithic(c�8000to4000BC)�� 4
Neolithic(c�4000to2000BC)�� 4
�
BronzeAge(c�2000to600BC)�� 4
IronAge(c�500BCtoAD500)�� 6
Earlymedievalperiod(c�AD400to1100)�� 6
Highandlatermedievalperiods(c�AD1100to1650)�� 6
Post-medievalperiod(c�1650tothepresent)�� 7
5 Site Location and Topography �� 7
6 Excavation methodology �� 7
7 Excavation results �� 10
8 Summary �� 11
9 References �� 15
Appendix 1 Site matrix �� 16
Appendix 2 Groups and subgroups �� 17
�
Appendix 3 Plant Remains �� 19

i

List of Figures
Figure 1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery
Series map� �� 2
Figure 2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery
Series map with all the excavation sites marked� �� 5
Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map TN21 showing the location of Derry-
carney� �� 8
Figure 4: Location and extent of Derrycarney E3740 on the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh� �� 9
Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Derrycarney� �� 12
Figure 6: Section of pit C�3� �� 13

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial view of Derrycarney from south� �� 7
Plate 2: Mid-excavation of pit C�3 from north� ��10
Plate 3: Mid-excavation of irregular feature C�10 from north� �� 11
Plate 4: Pre-excavation of irregular feature C�9 from north� �� 14
Plate 5: Post-excavation of irregular feature C�14 from north� �� 14

ii

Derrycarney-e3740 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3740-derrycarney-co-tipperary/

Summary
The excavation of the site at Derrycarney comprised a single pit and four irregular fea-
tures. The irregular features are likely to have been natural in origin. No artefacts were
recovered from the site. No radiocarbon dates were obtained.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Derrycarney
E no. E3740
Site director Jacinta Kiely
Townland Derrycarney
Parish Ballymackey
County Tipperary
Barony Upper Ormond
OS Map Sheet No. TN21
National Grid Reference 195492 179640

iii

iSSUe 11: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaeological excavation report

Acknowledgements
The project was commissioned by Laois County Council and was funded by the Na-
tional Roads Authority under the National Development Plan (2000-2006). The project
archaeologist was Niall Roycroft. Kildare County Council supervised the archaeological
contract with RE staff of Pat Dowling and Colum Fagan. Kildare County Council Sen-
ior Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer
was John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation
manager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John
Sunderland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist anal-
ysis was carried out by Mary Dillon and Penny Johnston and the 14 Chrono Centre at
Queen’s University Belfast.

iv


1 Scope of the project
Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the
National Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact
1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road
scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction
of the present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-
Castletown scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is ap-
proximately 191 hectares. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs
from Clashnevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county
border regions (Figure 1). The Ministers Direction Number is A38.
It was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-
2006. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority
through Laois County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our
cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct ar-
chaeological site investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to
assess the nature and extent of any new potential archaeological sites uncovered.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in 2007
under licence E3371, E3372 and E3375-8 issued by Department of the Environment Her-
itage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in consultation with the National Museum
of Ireland. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously
unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test sites of archaeo-
logical potential identified in the EIS.
Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites
identified within the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction
of the road. This phase of the project was carried out from June 2007 to February 2008
and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeologist. A total
of 27 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences issued by
DoEHLG.
A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the
project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work aris-
ing from archaeological works along the route of the new N7 Castletown to Nenagh. It
included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works.

2 Route location
The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road is located in Counties North Tipperary
and Offaly (OF) (Figure 1). The project (Contract 1) involves the construction of c. 17.5
km of the N7 from Clashnevin east of Nenagh to Castleroan south-east of Dunkerrin. It
passes through the townlands of Clashnevin, Derrybane, Newtown, Lissanisky, Killeisk,
Garavally, Derrycarney, Garrynafanna, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen, Falleen, Knock-
ane, Clash, Park, Rosdremid (OF), Clynoe (OF), Cullenwaine, Moneygall, Greenhills,

1

2
182550 198900 215250

193300
193300

!
(
Nenagh
iSSUe 11: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237

Derg (Lough)

182950
182950

172600
172600

0 5 10

182550 198900
Kilometres
215250
±
Figure 1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map�
archaeological excavation report


Drumbaun, Busherstown (OF), Drumroe (OF), Moatquarter, Loughan (OF) and Cas-
tleroan (OF). The townlands are located in the parishes of Ballymackey, Cullenwaine,
Castletownely, Rathnaveoge, Finglas and Dunkerrin and the baronies of Upper Ormond,
Ikerrin and Clonisk,
The route begins at the eastern end of the Nenagh bypass at Clashnevin c. 5 km east
of Nenagh and continues eastward on the northern side of the existing N7 in Co. Tip-
perary. It crosses a number of third class roads to the north of Toomyvara and 0.7 km
east of Clash crossroads crosses the Ollatrim River. It extends into County Offaly directly
east of Park. From here it crosses the R490 0.6 km north of Moneygall. It extends back
in County Tipperary and through the demesne of Greenhills before crossing the existing
N7 at the junction of Greenhills and Drumbaun townlands. It crosses back into County
Offaly and climbs east into Busherstown and Drumroe. It crosses the Keeloge Stream
into Moatquarter in County Tipperary and extends northeast back into County Offaly
through the townlands of Loughan and Castleroan 1.4 km southwest of Dunkerrin.

3 Receiving environment
North Tipperary is bounded on the west by the River Shannon and Lough Derg with
the Silvermines, to the south, and small hills extending towards Devilsbit and Borrisnoe
Mountains to the east. The mountains are composed largely of Silurian strata and Old
Red Sandstone. Copper, silver and lead deposits have been mined in the Silvermines. The
geology of the lowlands consists of Carboniferous limestone covered by glacial drift in
addition to tracts of raised bog.
The western portion of the study area is drained by the Ollatrim River which flows
westwards into the River Ballintotty which in turns drains into the River Nenagh. The
eastern portion is drained by the Keeloge Stream and other small water sources. These rise
in the foothills of the Silvermine Mountains and flow north. The Keeloge drains into the
Little Brosna River c. 1 km south of Shinrone, Co Offaly. The Brosna turns north and
drains into the Shannon south of Banagher.
The largest population centre in the area is Nenagh. The smaller population centres,
are Toomyvara, Moneygall and Dunkerrin.
The soils on the route are characterised by 80% grey brown podzolics, 10% gleys, 5%
brown earths and 5% basis peat. They are derived from glacial till of predominantly Car-
boniferous limestone composition. These soils occur in Tipperary and Offaly and have a
wide use range being suitable for both tillage and pasture (Gardiner and Radford 1980,
97-99). Land use along the route was a mix of grassland devoted to intensive dairying and
cattle-rearing and tillage.

3


4 Archaeological and historical background
Archaeological sites of numerous periods were discovered along the route of the new road
(Figure 2). The periods are referred to as follows: Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC), Neo-
lithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600 BC), and Iron Age (c. 500 BC
to AD 500), early medieval period (c. AD 500 to 1100), medieval period (c. AD 1100 to
1650), post-medieval period (c. AD 1650 to the present).

Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)
The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c.
8000 BC - 4000 BC). The majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupa-
tion has come from the river valleys. No evidence for the Mesolithic was recorded on the
route.

Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-
nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more
sedentary in nature. The most important Neolithic site in the vicinity was at Tullahedy
recorded on the route of the Nenagh by-pass. It was a specialist chert arrow manufactur-
ing site.
No evidence for a Neolithic site was recorded on the route but stone tools dating to
the Neolithic were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660, Cullenwaine E3741
and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools dating to the late Neolithic/Early
Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Castleroan E3909, Cullenwaine E3741,
Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1 E3638 and Moatquarter E3910

Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600BC)
The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy and an increase in
settlement and burial sites. Copper ores were mined and copper, bronze and gold items
manufactured. The range of burial site types includes cist graves, pit and urn burials,
cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and stand-
ing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites are
known. The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh. These monuments
survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt, packed with heat-shattered stones, and
generally situated close to a water source. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cook-
ing places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth and subsequently placed in a trough
of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot stones and wrapped food
was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and
charcoal that were removed, forming the basis of the familiar mound.

4

190400 196200 202000 207800
Derrycarney-e3740

186400
186400

Castleroan 1
Derrycarney 1 E 3909
Busherstown 1
E 3661
Loughan 1
Greenhills 3 E 4000
E 3658

Moneygall 2
Culleenwaine 1 E 3635
E 3741 Moatquarter 1
Clynoe 2 E 3910
E 3774

181800
181800

Park 1 Drumroe 1
Garravally Kilgorteen 1 E 3659 E 3773
E 3589 E 3739
Drumbaun 2
Derrybane 2 E 3912
E 3591 Greenhills 1 Greenhills 2
E 3638 E 3637
Clashnevin 2
E 3590 Clash 1 Park 2
E 3660 E 3772

Derrycarney 1
E 3740

Clashnevin 1 Derrybane 1 Killeisk 1
E 3586 E 3585 E 3587

177200
177200

0 3 6

Kilometres ±
190400 196200 202000 207800

Figure 2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map with all the excavation sites marked�
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3740-derrycarney-co-tipperary/

5


Two new fulachta fiadh or burnt mounds were recorded at Clashnevin 1 E3586,
Cullenwaine E3741 and six at three separate locations in Greenhills, E3638, E3637 and
E3658. Evidence of nine roundhouses or partial round structures were recorded; two at
Castleroan E3909, Derrybane 2 E3591 and Drumbaun 2 E3912 and one at Clash E3660,
Drumroe E3773 and Moatquarter E3910.

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Upto recently there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in Munster.
Settlement sites are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman,
2000) while the material culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, believed
to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monuments
of the period. Ten percent of sites excavated on NRA road schemes in recent years have
produced Iron Age dates. The dates have led to the identification of 30 new Iron Age sites
in Munster from road schemes in counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (McLaughlin
2008, 51). These include a ditched enclosure in Ballywilliam and a wooden trackway in
Annaholty Bog excavated on the route of the N7 Nenagh-Limerick (Taylor 2008, 54).

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)
The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The
characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-
merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000
and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s
(Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has
a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries
AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-
lar society (Stout 1997).
North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious
centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen
by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at
the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH
2006, 4-8).
A possible early medieval enclosure and associated road way was recorded at Killeisk
E3587. A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774.

High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)
This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tow-
er houses. The Anglo-Normans obtained charters in the thirteenth century for the towns
of Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Templemore and established markets. Nenagh grew
rapidly in the aftermath of the granting of the lands of Munster to Theobald fitzWalter in

6


Plate 1: Aerial view of Derrycarney from south�
1185 (ibid. 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-defended homesteads
in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth cen-
turies in counties, such as Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, mid-Cork and Limerick, that
were colonised by English settlers (O’Conor 1998, 58). The Archaeological Inventory for
North Tipperary lists 39 moated sites (2002, 298).
A newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661.

Post-medieval period (c. 1650 to the present).
The post-medieval period is characterised by mills, limekilns, workhouses, country hous-
es and associated demesnes, vernacular buildings and field systems (Figure 3). A small
demesne associated with a county house was recorded at Greenhills.

5 Site Location and Topography
The site at Derrycarney was located on level ground at 100 m OD equidistant from Kilgo-
rteen E3372 and Killeisk E3371 (Plate 1). The ground was used for tillage.

6 Excavation methodology
The site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision.
Stripping was done with a tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Topsoil stripping
commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially outward until

7

8
194916 195916

UMMERA

GORTNADRUMMAN
BALLYMACKEY FALLEEN

DERRYCARNEY
KILGORTEEN

180065
180065

GARRAVALLY
iSSUe 11: eachtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237

Kilgorteen 1

ibutary
Derrycarney 1

Garravally

River Tr
Ollatrim
LISSANISKY

KIlleisk 1

179415
179415

KILLEISK

GARRYNAFANA

0 300 PALLAS WEST
600

CLONTEIGE Meters
194916 195916
¥
Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map TN21 showing the location of Derrycarney�
archaeological excavation report

195125 195495 195865
Derrycarney-e3740

179919
179919

GORTNADRUMMAN
DERRYCARNEY
440
0

G A R R AVA L LY
430
0

179689
179689

340 0
350 0
420 0

3600
410 0

370 0
4000

3800
3900
KILLEISK
GAR RY N AFA N A

179459
179459

Derrycarney 1 (E3740)
0 100 200
Metres ±
195125 195495 195865

Figure 4: Location and extent of Derrycarney E3740 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3740-derrycarney-co-tipperary/

9


Plate 2: Mid-excavation of pit C�3 from north�
the limit of the road take was reached or until the limit of the archaeological remains was
fully defined. A grid was set up in the excavation area(s) and all archaeological features
were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and mean-
ingful record of the site to be preserved. The excavation, environmental sampling, site
photographs, site drawings, find care and retrieval, on-site recording and site archive was
as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method state-
ments for excavation licences.
The site was excavated in the week of the 9th September 2008. Only areas within the
LMA were resolved. Four cuttings were opened and stripped of topsoil. The full extent of
the area of excavation measured 5298 m sq (Figure 4).
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register and the strati-
graphic matrix (Appendix 1). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups
and sub-groups text (Appendix 2). The context register maybe viewed in the EAPOD
(Eachtra Archaeological Projects office database) in the accompanying CD.

7 Excavation results
Four cuttings were stripped of topsoil. One feature was recorded in the north-eastern cut-
ting and four in the north-western cutting (Figure 5).
A single pit C.3 was recorded in the eastern cutting. It measured 1.6 m by 0.86 m by
0.15 m in depth (Figure 6, Plate 2). A single fill was recorded in the pit.
Four irregular features (C.9, C.10, C.11 and C.14) were recorded in the western cut-
ting. They were very irregular in plan and shallow in nature and a single fill was recorded

10


Plate 3: Mid-excavation of irregular feature C�10 from north�
in each (Plates 3-5). A layer C.16 was recorded 0.9 m to the south-west of C.14. A poorly
preserved single charred seed, was recovered from the fill of C.9
No artefacts were recovered from the fill of any of the features. With the exception of
a poorly preserved charred seed no ecofacts were recovered from any of the fills (Appendix
3). No radiocarbon dates were obtained for any of the features.

8 Summary
The small scatter of ephemeral features is more likely to be natural in origin than archaeo-
logical, with the possible exception of the pit C.3. A large area in proximity to the features
was stripped of topsoil and no other features, stratigraphy or artefacts were recorded.
Small clusters of ephemeral features were also recorded at other sites along the route e.g.
Clashnevin 2 E3590 and Derrybane 1 E3585 further to the west but they consisted of a
mixture of feature types e.g. small pits, post-holes and stake-holes and could be definitely
classified as archaeological in nature.

11


Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Derrycarney�

12


Derrycarney 1
E3740
South facing section of C.3

C.7

C.3

0 500 mm

Figure 6: Section of pit C�3�

13


Plate 4: Pre-excavation of irregular feature C�9 from north�

Plate 5: Post-excavation of irregular feature C�14 from north�

14


9 References
Farrelly, J., and O’Brien, C. (2002) Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary Vol. 1 -
North Tipperary, The Stationery Office Dublin.

Gardiner, M.J. and Radford,T. (1980) Soil Associations of Ireland and Their Land Use
Potential. Dublin, An Foras Talúntais.

McLaughlin, M. and Conran, S. (2008) ‘The emerging Iron Age of South Munster’ in
Seanda, Issue 3, 51-53. Dublin.

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (2006) An Introduction to the Architectural
Heritage of North Tipperary. Government of Ireland.

O’Conor, K.D. (1998) The Archaeology of Medieval Rural Settlement in Ireland,
Discovery Programme Monographs No 3, Discovery Programme/Royal Irish
Academy Dublin.

Reimer, P.J., Baillie, M.G.L., Bard, E., Bayliss, A., Beck, J.W., Bertrand, C., Blackwell,
P.G., Buck, C.E., Burr, G., Cutler, K.B., Damon, P.E., Edwards, R.L., Fairbanks,
R.G., Friedrich, M., Guilderson, T.P., Hughen, K.A., Kromer, B., McCormac,
F.G., Manning, S., Bronk Ramsey, C., Reimer, R.W., Remmele, S., Southon, J.R.,
Stuiver, M., Talamo, S., Taylor, F.W., van der Plicht, J. and Weyhenmeyer, C.E.
(2004) ‘IntCal04 Terrestrial Radiocarbon Age Calibration, 0–26 Cal Kyr BP’,
Radiocarbon 46, 1029-1058.

Stuiver, M., and Reimer, P.J. (1993) ‘Extended (super 14) C data base and revised
CALIB 3.0 (super 14) C age calibration program’, Radiocarbon 35, 215-230.

Stout, M. (1997) The Irish Ringfort. Dublin, Four Courts Press.

Taylor, K. (2008) ‘At home and on the road: two Iron Age sites in County Tipperary’ in
Seanda, Issue 3, 54-55. Dublin.

Woodman, P.C. (2000) ‘Hammers and Shoeboxes: New Agendas for Prehistory’., pp. 1
-10 in Desmond, A., Johnson, G., McCarthy, M., Sheehan, J. and Shee Twohig,
E. New Agendas in Irish Prehistory. Papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. Bray,
Wordwell.

15


Appendix 1 Site matrix

16


Appendix 2 Groups and subgroups
Group 1 Natural deposits

This group describes the natural geological deposits identified across the four areas of
excavation.

Subgroup 1 Topsoil
List of Contexts; C.1
Description
This subgroup describes the topsoil covering the archaeological features. It was a soft
mid greyish brown clayey silt.

Subgroup 2 Subsoil
List of Contexts; C.2
Description
This subgroup describes the natural subsoil that formed across the areas of excavation.
It was a stiff light yellowish orange clayey silt.

Group 2 Pit

This group describes a single pit located in the north-eastern area of the site.

List of Contexts; C. [3], 7
Description
A single pit [3] was located approximately in the centre of the north-eastern area of
the site. It measured 1.59 m in length, 0.86 m in width and 0.15 m in depth. It was sub-
rectangular in shape with a concave profile and gentle to moderately steep sloping sides. It
was filled by a single deposit. The fill was a soft dark greyish brown silty clay (7) including
moderate amounts of root material

Interpretation
This feature may represent a humanly excavated pit, due to its regular size and shape,
however, with no archaeological finds within the fill and no further features in close
proximity, its function and date are difficult to determine. The organic nature of the fill
(including the root material noted within it) may suggest that this feature was a tree bole.

Group 3 Natural features

This group describes four features and a spread which were located in the north-
western area of the site.

17


Subgroup 1 Natural Features
List of Contexts; C. [9], 12, [10], 13, [11], 15, [14], 17
Description
Four features were located within the north-western area.
These features varied in length from 0.95 m to 3.4m, varied in width from 0.45 m to
2.5 and varied in depth from 0.16m to 0.26m. They were in general irregular in shape with
gentle to vertical sloping sides and a concave profile. The fills vary in colour from mid red-
dish brown to dark greyish brown in colour and are in general clayey silt in compaction.
Inclusions of charcoal flecks were present in the fills of two of these features

Interpretation
These features represent the remains of naturally occurring vegetation boles. Their ir-
regular sizes and shapes and the lack of archaeological remains within their fills supports
this theory. The charcoal inclusions within the fills of two features most likely occurred
due to natural decomposition of organic material.

Subgroup 2 Layer
List of Contexts; C.16.
Description
A layer of material was located 0.9 m south-west of feature [14]. It measured 0.97 m in
length, 0.6 m in width and 0.06 m in depth. It was a soft dark greyish brown clayey silt
and had moderate small and medium pieces of charcoal inclusions.

Interpretation
This layer is closely connected to the four natural features above. It may represent the
remains of organic material, possibly associated with the feature [14]. The charcoal inclu-
sions most likely occurred due to natural decomposition of material.

18


Appendix 3 Plant Remains
By Penny Johnston

Introduction
This report details the results of preliminary assessment work carried out on sieved
samples from Derrycarney 1, Co. Tipperary. The site comprised a scatter of ephemeral
archaeological features, possibly associated with prehistoric occupation.

Methodology
The samples were collected on site as bulk soil and were processed using machine-
assisted floatation (following guidelines in Pearsall 2000). The floating material (or ‘flot’)
from each sample was collected in a stack of geological sieves (the smallest mesh size was
250mm).
When all the carbonised material was collected the flot was then air-dried in paper-
lined drying trays prior to storage in airtight plastic bags. The samples were scanned un-
der low-powered magnification (x 10 to x 40) using a binocular microscope. The results
of preliminary scanning are presented in Table 1 at the end of this report. A total of 2
samples were scanned.

Recommendations for further analysis of charcoal
Charcoal was present in small amounts in both samples from Derrycarney 1; it was
found in low frequencies in both samples. The small number of samples and the low fre-
quency of charcoal from this site suggests that these samples are not good candidates for
full charcoal analysis, although some of the charcoal from these samples could be identi-
fied in advance of radiocarbon dating.

Recommendations for further analysis of plant remains
Charred seeds were present in one samples (C.12, S.2) but it was not identifiable due
to poor preservation quality. No other charred seed material was found in the samples
from this site and no further analytical work on the seeds is required.

References
Pearsall, D. 2000 Paleoethnobotany: a Handbook of Procedures. New York, Academic
Press.

Table 1
Sample Context Charcoal Seeds Percentage
2 12 Low Low 100
3 13 Low Low 100
Table 1: Scanned samples from Derrycarney 1, Co� Tipperary (E3740)

19

Archaeological Report - Derrycarney, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

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