Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3909 - Castleroan, Co. Offaly
Bronze Age houses and Iron Age pits

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Castleroan
Co. Offaly

Bronze Age houses and Iron Age pits.

Date: July 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National
Roads Authority
Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)
E No: E3909

Excavation Director: John Tierney
Written by: Jacinta Kiely, John Tierney and Ewelina Chrobak

Castleroan
Co. Offaly

Excavation Director

John Tierney

Written By

Jacinta Kiely, John Tierney and Ewelina Chrobak

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

© Eachtra Archaeological Projects 2011
The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland

Table of Contents
Summary�� v
Acknowledgements�� vi
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)�� 7
Post-medievalperiod(c�1650tothepresent)�� 7
5 Site location and Topography �� 9
6 Excavation methodology �� 9
7 Excavation results �� 11
8 Discussion �� 33
LateNeolithic/EarlyBronzeAge��33
BronzeAge��33
IronAge��36
9 References �� 37
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index �� 39
Appendix 2 Site Matrix ��40
Appendix 3 Groups and Subgroups ��44
Appendix 4 Lithics Finds Report ��68
Appendix 5 Pottery report �� 71
Appendix 6 Plant Remains Analysis �� 75

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
Castleroan� �� 8
Figure 4: Location and extent of Castleroan E3909 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh� ��10
Figure 5: Post excavation plan of Castleroan� �� 12
Figure 6: Plan of Structure A at Castleroan� �� 13
Figure 7: Section plans of pits and postholes C�170, C�151, C�168, C�280, C�191 and C�65
associated with Structure A at Castleroan� �� 14
Figure 8: Post-excavation plan of Structure A and B at Castleroan� �� 16
Figure 9: Plan of Structure B at Castleroan� ��21
Figure 10: Section plans of postholes C�397, C�354, C�394 and C�227 associated with Structure
B at Castleroan� ��22
Figure 11: Section plans of external pits C�8 and C�280 and post-holes C�175 and C�285 at
Castleroan� ��24
Figure 12: Post-excavation plans of nine of the Bronze Age houses on the N7� ��35

ii

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial photograph montage of Castleroan� �� 9
Plate 2: Aerial view of the area of excavation at Castleroan from south� �� 11
Plate 3: Aerial view of Structures A and B at Castleroan from south� �� 15
�
Plate 4: Slot trench C�351 in Structure A at Castleroan� �� 17
Plate 5: Pits C�270 and C�363 in interior of Stucture A at Castleroan� �� 18
�
Plate 6: Pit C170 in the interior of Structure A at Castleroan� �� 19
Plate 7: Posthole C�401 in the interior of Structure A at Castleroan� �� 19
Plate 8: Pit C�8 located to the east of Structure A at Castleroan� ��20
Plate 9: Posthole C�394 which formed part of the inner ring of Structure B� ��23
Plate 10: Mid-excavation of pit C�238 in Structure B� ��25
Plate 11: View of 11 stakeholes in the vicinity of post C�81 in Structure B� ��25
Plate 12: Area of entrance in Structure B from south-west� ��26
�
Plate 13: Southern side of entrance in Structure B from west� ��26
Plate 14: View of posthole C�402� ��27
Plate 15: Pit C�29� ��28
Plate 16: Slot trench C�490� ��29
Plate 17: Postholes 175 and C�326� ��30
Plate 18: Beaker barbed-and-tanged arrowhead E3909:390:1 from Castleroan� ��30
Plate 19: Rhyolite gaming piece E3909:150:1 from Castleroan� �� 31

List of Tables
Table 1 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the inner ring of Structure A �� 15
Table 2 Dimensions of the post-holes, pits and slot trench forming the outer ring of
Structure A �� 17
Table 3 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the inner ring of Structure B��23
Table 4 Dimensions of the entrance slot trenches and context numbers of associated
post-holes� ��27
Table 5 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the outer ring of Structure B ��27
Table 6 Dimensions of the post-holes in slot trench C�490 ��29
Table 7 Radiocarbon dates ��32

iii

Castleroan-e3909 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3909-castleroan-co-offaly/

Summary
Excavations at Castleroan 1 E3909 revealed a prehistoric settlement site, in the form
of two Bronze Age houses and an associated group of post-holes, pits and stake-holes.
Structure A was defined by two rings of posts, pits and slot trenches, the inner ring was
concentric with the outer. It dated to the Middle Bronze Age. The internal diameter of the
house was 7 m and it enclosed an internal area of 32 m2. The external diameter was 9.5m
and it enclosed an area of 65 m2. The entrance faced east and measured 2 m. Structure
B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A and was dated to the Late Bronze Age.
The structure was defined by two incomplete rings of posts. The inner ring comprised six
posts and two substantial slot trenches formed the entrance. The entrance was 1.5 m in
width and faced north-east. The outer ring was concentric with the inner and was also in-
complete. It was defined by a ring of nine posts. The diameter of the house was estimated
at 7 m. The interior of the structure enclosed an area of 30 m2 and the entire structure
enclosed an area of 40 m2.
A small lithic assemblage recorded at the site was dated to the Late Neolithic/Early
Bronze Age (Beaker period) and three sherds of Beaker pottery were recorded. Two Iron
Age dates were returned from a pit within Structure A and from a pit located to the north-
east of Structure A.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Castleroan 1
E no. E3909
Site director John Tierney
Townland Castleroan
Parish Dunkerrin
County Offaly
Barony Clonlisk
OS Map Sheet No. OF 47
National Grid Reference 206324 / 182969
Elevation 160 m OD

v

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 Senior
Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer was
John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation man-
ager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John Sun-
derland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist analysis
was carried out by Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Helen Roche and Eoin Grogan, Farina
Sternke and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.

vi


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. 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

182550 198900 215250

2
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. Neo-
lithic pottery was recorded at Cullenwaine E3741 and Drumbaun E3912.

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

Castleroan 1
Castleroan-e3909

186400
186400

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

Culleenwaine 1 Moneygall 2
E 3741 E 3635 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/e3909-castleroan-co-offaly/

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).
Three Iron Age dates were returned from pits in Castleroan E3909 and Drumroe
E3773 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1).

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).
Early medieval activity was recorded at five sites on the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Contract 1). A series of corn-drying kilns were recorded at Busherstown E3661.
A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774. An area of iron-
working and associated pits was recorded at Drumbaun E3912. Iron working activity,
corn-drying kilns and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659. A group of pits
and associated ditch were recorded at Drumroe E3773.

6


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
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 medieval enclosure and associated field systems were recorded at Killeisk E3587. A
newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661. A series of ditches and
settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659.

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.

7

204713 205713

8
Castleroan
LOUGHAN

ea m
Loughan

S tr

182716
182716

e
lo g
K ee
CASTLEROAN

Moatquarter

BUSHERSTOWN

182066
182066

MOATQUARTER

Busherstown

Drumbaun 2
DRUMROE

0 300 600

DRUMBAUN Drumroe
¥ Meters
204713 205713

Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map TN21 showing the location of Castleroan�


Plate 1: Aerial photograph montage of Castleroan�
Castleroan 1 (E3909)
0 25 50
Meters ±
5 Site location and Topography
The site at Castleroan was located near the summit of a low hill at 160 m OD (Plate 1
and 2). The surrounding land was in pasture. An Early Bronze Age site was recorded at
Loughan E4000 350 m to the south-west.

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
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 fea-
tures were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and
meaningful 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 undertaken as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence
method statements for excavation licences.
The site was excavated from the week of the 19 January 2008 to the week of the 16
February 2008. Only areas within the LMA (lands made available) were resolved. (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

9

205937 206307 206677

16

10
40
0

16
30
0

183216
183216

16
20
0
CASTLEROAN

16
10
0
LOUGHAN

16
00
0

15
90
0

182986
182986

15
80
0

15
70
0

15
60
0

182756
182756

M O AT Q U A R T E R
Castleroan 1 (E3909)
15
50 0 100 200
0
Metres ±
205937 206307 206677

Figure 4: Location and extent of Castleroan E3909 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�


Plate 2: Aerial view of the area of excavation at Castleroan from south�

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

Bronze Age
Two structures dating to the Middle and Later Bronze Age and a group of associated pits,
post-holes and slot trenches located to the north and east were excavated at Castleroan
(Figure 5, plate 3). Structure B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A.

Structure A
Structure A was defined by two rings of posts, pits and slot trenches, the inner ring was
concentric with the outer. The internal diameter of the house was 7 m and it enclosed an
internal area of 32 m2. The external diameter was 9.5m and it enclosed an area of 65 m2.
The entrance faced east and measured 2 m in width (Figure 6).
The inner circuit comprised nine post-holes (Figure 7). The interval between the post-
holes was fairly regular, being on average 2.2 m. A stake-hole C.322 was located beside
the post C.125. The entrance was located between postholes C.359 and C.168. Post-hole
C.168 was smaller than the other three features that formed the entrance.

11


206336 206357

±
472
183015

183015
375

293

280

262
486
87
4 338

132
Structure A 470 339

180
484

155 102
429 74
164

O
54

175
8
) 152
138 160 m O.D.
285 126
48
32

98

100 88
71
29
7

Structure B 238 50 468

433

431
182980

182980

490

460

408

405

0 10 m

206336 206357

Figure 5: Post excavation plan of Castleroan�

12

206328 206340

±
Castleroan-e3909

Structure A

183002
183002

Hearth

182997
182997

0 5 m
206328 206340

Figure 6: Plan of Structure A at Castleroan�

13


N7CN N7CN
Castleroan 1 Castleroan 1
N facing section of C.170 NE facing section of C.151
Structure A Structure A

C.169

C.150

C.170
C.151

N7CN N7CN
E facing section of C.168 N facing section of C.286

C.284
C.167

C.168
C.286

N7CN N7CN
E facing section of C.191 W facing section of C.65

C.52
C.186

C.191 C.69

C.65

0 500 mm

Figure 7: Section plans of pits and postholes C�170, C�151, C�168, C�280, C�191 and C�65 associated with Structure A at
Castleroan�
14


Plate 3: Aerial view of Structures A and B at Castleroan from south�

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d)
125 0.25 x 0.2 x 0.13
151 0.33 x 0.33 x 0.2
155 0.3 x 0.3 x 0.13
165 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.15
168 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.15
184 0.34 x 0.34 x 0.08
188 0.35 x 0.3 x 0.13
335 0.16 x 0.15 x 0.15
359 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.16
Table 1 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the inner ring of Structure A

Six postholes (C.65, C.67, C.82, C.286, C.361 and C.439), five pits (C.4, C.126, C.146,
C.180 and C.191) and one slot trench (C.351) constituted the outer circuit of the house
(Figure 8). The interval between the features was very irregular. With the exception of the
cut features that were located side by side, for examples pits C.180 and C.191 in the area of
the entrance, the interval between each of the features was generally more than 2 m and
was up to 5 m at the rear of the house. There was a greater concentration of cut features
at the front half of the house and thence a greater distance between the posts at the rear.
A Middle Bronze date of cal BC 1249–1016 (UB–15035) was returned from the fill of pit
C.191.

15


206330 206340

444
4 78
87

110
338
±
65 449 470
44 339
450
132
151
335
85 103
422 465
286 401 180
322
125 415 191
63 342 168
270 363
183000

183000
Hearth 41
425 386 193

155
20 263
395
189 Structure A
258
215 361
319 329 223
374 429
218 220 279
439 228 359 384
164 197 192
188 225 351
170 54
165 8
184
455 138
175 104

436 82
67
146
285 111 126

453
32
48
326
448
428
438
371
98
379 12
367
345 309

317 442
316

402 100
354
88
336 265 255
320 81 257 55 71
392 243 267
397 288
246 242 29
352 250 283 419 417 7
350 27
418
420 23 25
394 377 421
368

413 414
412 462
Structure B 410
411
182985

182985

156
Hearth 238
50
305 301
299
227
297
328
211
445 291 195
199
236
254
433
232
490
209 230
207 431
205
251 203
0 5 m 201
456 458
206330 206340

Figure 8: Post-excavation plan of Structure A and B at Castleroan�

16


Plate 4: Slot trench C�351 in Structure A at Castleroan�

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Feature
4 0.42 x 0.3 x 0.29 Pit
65 0.32 x 0.29 x 0.32 Post
67 0.32 x 0.3 x 0.15 Post
82 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.22 Post
126 0.7 x 0.45 x 0.16 Pit
146 0.54 x 0.36 x 0.09 Pit
180 0.71 x 0.6 x 0.2 Pit
191 0.59 x 0.54 x 0.21 Pit
286 0.24 x 0.19 x 0.22 Post
351 2.16 x 0.5 x 0.2 Slot trench
361 0.62 x 0.56 x 0.19 Post
439 0.18 x 0.13 x 0.17 Post
Table 2 Dimensions of the post-holes, pits and slot trench forming the outer ring of Structure A

The pits were slightly different in plan, being wider, shallower and the bases were more
rounded, to the post-holes. It is quite likely that many of them, particularly the smaller
ones, were the base of post-holes rather than actual storage pits. A chert flake and debitage
(E3909:121:1-3) were recovered from pit C.126.
A slot trench C.351 spanned the area between the entrance posts on the southern side of
the entrance (Plate 4). It measured 2.16 m by 0.5 m by 0.2 m in depth. A flint barbed-
and-tanged arrowhead (E3909:390:1) was recovered from the fill of the slot trench. One

17


Plate 5: Pits C�270 and C�363 in interior of Stucture A at Castleroan�

possible pit C.444 and three stake-holes C.44, C.104, and C.465 were located between
the two rings of posts.

The interior
A hearth C.20, eight pits (C.85, C.170, C.189, C.197, C.270, C.319, C.363 and C.386),
six post-holes (C.41, C.63, C.103, C.279, C.401 and C.415), 14 stake-holes (C.44, C.192,
C.215, C.218, C.220, C.223, C.225, C.228, C.258, C.263, C.329, C.342, C.422, and
C.425) and two slot trenches (C.193 and C.374) were located in the interior of Structure
A.
The hearth C.20 measured 0.7 m in by 0.56 m by 0.2 m in depth. Flecks of unidentifi-
able burnt bone were recorded in the fill. Two of the pits (C.270 and C.363) were similar
in size to one another (Plate 5). They were located to the east of the hearth. The fills of
the pits included a high concentration of small stones. Similar amounts of stones were
recorded in the large pit C.189, which was square in plan. Two stake-holes C.215 and
C.223 cut the base of pit C.189. The other four pits in the interior were smaller and more
insubstantial in size (Plate 6).
Three of the post-holes (C.63, C.279 and C.401) were located 1.6m apart, forming
three sides of a square and could have functioned as support posts for a roof (Plate 7). The
slot trench C.193 could have functioned as the south-eastern corner. One of the other
posts C.41 was located adjacent to the hearth.
Six of the stake-holes (C.225, C.228, C.218, C.220, C.329 and C.258) formed a screen
or internal division measuring 2.6 m in length. Three more of the stake-holes (C.263,
C.425 and C.342) may have formed an additional section of the screen, slightly stepped
back from main alignment.
An Iron Age date of cal BC 165––cal AD 2 (UB–15037) was returned from the fill
of pit C.363.

Exterior of Structure A
Four pits (C.8, C.87, C.138 and C.429), a posthole and three stake-holes were located
close to the entrance of Structure A. The fill of pit C.8 included charcoal and a concentra-

18


Plate 6: Pit C170 in the interior of Structure A at Castleroan�

Plate 7: Posthole C�401 in the interior of Structure A at Castleroan�

19


Plate 8: Pit C�8 located to the east of Structure A at Castleroan�

tion of small stones similar to the fill of hearth C.238 associated with Structure B (Plate
8) and to some of the pits in the interior of Structure A.
A further seven pits (C.74, C.152, C.280, C.338, C.375, C.470, and C.486), two post-
holes (C.339 and C.484) and two stake-holes (C.102 and C.262) were located c. 8 m to the
north-east of Structure A (see Figure 11). Several of the pits were located in a line, which
extended over a length of 22 m, in a north-west/south-east alignment across the site.

Structure B
Structure B was located 6 m to the south of Structure A. The structure was defined by two
incomplete rings of posts (Figure 9). No trace of the rear (western and south-western sec-
tions) of the structure survived. The inner ring comprised six posts (C.81, C.328, C.352,
C.394, C.397, and C.445) (Plate 9) and two substantial slot trenches C.491 and C.492,
which supported seven and six posts respectively, formed the entrance. The entrance was
1.5 m in width and faced north-east. The outer ring was concentric with the inner and
was also incomplete. It was defined by a ring of nine posts (C.55, C.156, C.227, C.254,
C.336, C.354, C.392, C.414 and C.417). The diameter of the house was estimated at 7 m.
The interior of the structure enclosed an area of 30 m2 and the entire structure enclosed
an area of 40 m2.
Five post-holes, including C.421 in the slot trench C.492, formed the northern circuit
of the inner ring of posts (Figure 10). A group of 11 stake-holes (C.242, C.243, C.246,

20

206328 206336

±
Castleroan-e3909

182990
182990

Structure B

182984
182984

Hearth

0 5 m
206328 206336

Figure 9: Plan of Structure B at Castleroan�

21


N7CN N7CN
NE facing section of C.387 NE facing section of C.354
Structure B Structure B

C.385 C.344

C.354

C.397

N7CN N7CN
SW facing section of C.394 NW facing section of C.227
Structure B Structure B

C.387
C.217

C.393
C.227

C.394

0 500 mm

Figure 10: Section plans of postholes C�397, C�354, C�394 and C�227 associated with Structure B at Castleroan�

22


Plate 9: Posthole C�394 which formed part of the inner ring of Structure B�

C.250, C.255, C.257, C.265, C.267, C.283, C.288 and C.320) were located in the vicinity
of post C.81 (Plate 10). Three post-holes, including C.410 in the slot trench C.491, formed
the south-eastern circuit. A pit C.238, cut by four stake-holes (C.297, C.299, C.301 and
C.305) was located between post-hole C.328 and C.410. It measured 0.92 m by 0.74 m
and 0.16 m in depth. The fill of the pit included charcoal and a high concentration of
small stones (Plate 11). It may have functioned as a hearth. A similar fill was recorded in
the pit C.8 which was located to the east of Structure A.

81 0.26 x 0.23 x 0.16
328 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2
352 0.4 x 0.3 x 0.24
394 0.26 x 0.2 x 0.22
397 0.35 x 0.24 x 0.32
445 0.25 x 0.2 x 0.13
Table 3 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the inner ring of Structure B

Flint debitage (E3909:340:1) was recovered from the fill of the post C.328.
The substantial entrance comprised two parallel L-shaped slot trenches (Plate 12). The
slot trench C.491, formed the southern extent of the entrance (Plate 13). Seven postholes
were recorded in the trench. The postholes measured on average 0.33 m by 0.30 m by

23


N7CN
Castleroan 1
E facing section of C.280
External feature

C.278

C.302

C.308

C.280

N7CN
Castleroan 1
SW facing section of C.8
External feature

C.3

C.34

Natural

C.8

N7CN N7CN
SE facing section of C.175 E facing section of C.285
External feature External feature

C.177

C.173
C.275
C.178

C.175
C.285

0 500 mm

Figure 11: Section plans of external pits C�8 and C�280 and post-holes C�175 and C�285 at Castleroan�

24


Plate 10: Mid-excavation of pit C�238 in Structure B�

Plate 11: View of 11 stakeholes in the vicinity of post C�81 in Structure B�

25


Plate 12: Area of entrance in Structure B from south-west�

Plate 13: Southern side of entrance in Structure B from west�

26


Plate 14: View of posthole C�402�

0.23m in depth. The slot trench C.492, formed the northern extent of the entrance. The
postholes measured on average 0.30 m by 0.24 m by 0.23 m in depth.

Slot trench Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Postholes
491 1.4 x 0.43 x 0.26 0.64 x 0.37 x 0.24 156, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415
492 1.46 x 0.4 x 0.25 0.74 x 0.45 x 0.2 55, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421
Table 4 Dimensions of the entrance slot trenches and context numbers of associated post-holes�

Five post-holes, including C.55 and C.417 in the slot trench C.492, formed the north-
ern circuit of the outer ring of posts. Two additional post-holes (C.316 and C.402) may
have formed additional support or replacement posts in association with the outer ring
(Plate 14). Four post-holes, including C.156 and C.414 in the slot trench C.491, formed
the south-eastern circuit.

227 0.22 x 0.18 x 0.17
254 0.15 x 0.14 x 0.26
336 0.24 x 0.22 x 0.29
354 0.28 x 0.28 x 0.18
392 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.2
Table 5 Dimensions of the post-holes forming the outer ring of Structure B

27


Plate 15: Pit C�29�

A small pit C.7, cut by three stake-holes (C.23, C.25 and C.27), was located just out-
side the area of the entrance. Three sherds of Beaker pottery were recovered from the pit.
A Late Bronze Age date of cal BC 1011–914 (UB–15073) was returned from the fill
of post C.227.

The interior of Structure B
A stake-hole C.350 and two post-holes (C.368 and C.377) were located in the northern
section of the interior. They may have been associated with the inner ring of posts as they
were positioned on the same arc as the inner ring. No other features were recorded in the
interior of Structure B.

Features to the north and east of Structure B
Two pits (C.29 and C.100), adjacent to one another, were located 5 m east of the entrance
(Plate 15). Three stake-holes (C.71, C.88 and C.98) were located 3 m further to the east.
Three additional stake-holes 9C.50, C.433 and C.431) were located to the south of the
pits.
A substantial slot trench C. 490 cut by five post-holes (C.201, C.203, C.205, C.207
and C.209) was located less than 1 m to the south of Structure B (Plate 16). Two stake-
holes (C.456 and C.458) were located on the southern edge of the slot and one C.251 to
the west. The slot trench measured 2.15 m by 1.3 m and was orientated north-south.

28

Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

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Archaeological Report - Castleroan, Co. Offaly (Ireland)