EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Clare
large assemblage of charred cereal grains and its primary fill was almost pure charcoal with
evidence for in situ burning at its base. It was suggested that this pit was likely contemporary
with the early medieval enclosure.
Smithing was the principle early medieval ironworking. Analysis of the slag from the oval
building indicates that smithing was being undertaken inside this structure. Smithing hearth
bottoms- four from the enclosing ditch and two from the ploughsoil- and a mini anvil from a
field ditch were associated with this activity. A possible iron ore fragment was also recovered
from the enclosure ditch and suggests that limited smelting may have also been undertaken
on the site.
Cereal cultivation was also indicated by the two quernstones, field patterns and large quantity
of grains, particularly from oats and barley as well as rye, wheat and quantities of weed
seeds.
Fig. 49: Plan of enclosure, house and field boundaries at Cahircalla More, Co. Clare (after
Taylor 2006).
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