Neolithic and Bronze Age Landscapes of North Mayo: Report 2011

Plant macro-remains were recorded in six samples within the court area, all of which are
thought to date to the Early–Middle Neolithic period. The largest quantity of remains was
recorded in the fill of a stake-hole in the court area, F.78, which contained 48 shell fragments
of Corylus avellana L. (hazelnut). Smaller quantities of hazelnut shell fragments were
recorded in four other contexts – a stake-hole fill at the forecourt entrance (F.41), a deposit
surrounding the hearth-stone (F.68), a layer above the hearth (F.64), and a deposit located
above the ground surface and beneath the tomb collapse (F.21).
Plant macro-remains that are thought to date to the Early–Middle Neolithic period were also
recorded in five deposits within the rear chamber of the court tomb. Small quantities of
hazelnut shell fragments were present in layers within the rear chamber (F.49, F.63 and
F.95). A small number of achenes (seeds) of Rumex acetosa L. (sorrel) and Rumex spp.
(docks) were also found in layers F.63 and F.95, as well as in pit fill F.58. Sorrel and species
of the dock genus can grow in a variety of environments, including grassy areas, cultivated
fields and on disturbed ground around settlements.
F. 21 41 44 49 58 63 64 66 68 68 78 93 95 95
S. 14 32 34 42 45 47 48 50 52 61 73 63 68 69
Botanical name
CORYLACEAE
Corylus avellana L.
POLYGONACEAE
Plant
part
Nutshell
fragment
Common
name
Hazelnut 16 5 1 1 … 1 2 3 3 12 48 … 1 …
Rumex acetosa L. Achene Common
sorrel
… … … … 1 … … … … 4
Rumex spp. Achene Docks … … … … … 1 … … … … … … … 1
ROSACEAE
Rubus sp. Nutlet Bramble … … … … … 1 … … … …
cf. Malus sylvestris
Mill.
Endocarp
fragment
Possible
crab-apple
… … 1 … … … … … 1 …
GRAMINEAE
Gramineae
Culm
fragment
Grass … … … … … … … … 2 …
Table 2: Plant macro-remains recorded at Rathlackan
A Late Neolithic layer within the rear chamber (F.44) contained a possible crab-apple
endocarp fragment, as well as a hazelnut shell fragment. A small pit located within the court
area (F.93) is most likely early/middle Neolithic but may date to the Late Neolithic period,
and this pit contained a possible endocarp (core) fragment of Malus sylvestris Mill. (crabapple)
and a culm (stem) fragment of Gramineae (indeterminate grass). An undated pit fill
within the rear chamber (F.66) contained a nutlet (seed) of Rubus spp. (bramble) and
hazelnut shell fragments.
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