Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011

Analysis of non-wood plant macro-remains
Meriel McClatchie, UCD School of Archaeology
Introduction
A total of 69 samples from excavations at Rathlackan court tomb, Behy-Glenulra (Céide
Fields) visitor centre, Glenulra scatter, and Belderg Beg roundhouse and field system were
examined for their archaeobotanical content. Thirty samples from Rathlackan, 11 samples
from the Céide Fields visitor centre, two samples from Glenulra and 26 samples from
Belderg Beg were analysed. A relatively small quantity of non-wood plant macro-remains
was recorded, including cultivated remains and potentially gathered foodstuffs.
This report provides information on the recovery and analysis of non-wood plant macroremains
from the examined deposits. The methods employed in the extraction and
identification of remains will firstly be outlined. The following section will investigate the types
of plant remains recorded and the deposits from which the remains were derived. These
results will then be discussed in a more general temporal and geographic context.
Recommendations on retention of the material as part of the site archive will also be
suggested.
Methodology
The soil samples had previously been processed, using conventional flotation methods,
before the flots (floated material) were presented to the author for analysis. Examination of
the flots was carried out using a stereo-microscope, with magnifications ranging from x6.3 to
x50. The archaeobotanical material was identified by comparison to reference material in
McClatchie’s collection of modern diaspores.
Botanical and common names follow the order and nomenclature of New flora of the British
Isles (Stace 1991). When referring to specific deposits, the term ‘F.’ refers to Feature
number, and ‘S.’ refers to Sample number.
Plant macro-remains recorded
Rathlackan court tomb (E580)
Thirty samples from excavations at the Rathlackan court tomb were presented for analysis,
14 of which contained non-wood plant macro-remains. All of the material was preserved as a
result of charring, and all of the taxa recorded are likely to represent plants growing in the
local environment.
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