EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Galway
Carrowkeel, Co. Galway
Early Medieval Settlement-Cemetery.
Grid Ref: M59322394 (159326/223949)
SMR No: GA097-066
Excavation Licence: A024/E2046
Excavation Duration/Year: September 2005 – January 2006.
Site Director: B. Wilkins (Headland Archaeology)
The site consisted of a large enclosure, contained within a bank and ditch, set on the brow of
a ridge (Fig. 139). Excavation was required to facilitate road construction. Three main phases
of occupation were discovered during excavation – a series of ditches of Neolithic date; an
early medieval enclosure associated with a cemetery; and later cultivation.
The main early medieval enclosure was defined by a U-shaped ditch, on average 3m wide
and 1.5m deep. This enclosed an area 65m by 47m at the top of the hill. Traces of three
contemporary and parallel ditches appear to have subdivided this enclosure and delineated
the eastern edge of a burial area that contained 158 individuals. The fill layers from the
ditches suggest a gradual natural silting, followed by a deliberate in-filling of the ditch,
possibly as a result of field clearance.
Few structural features were identified from this phase, and consisted mainly of two (or
three) ‘cooking pits’ – i.e. negative features associated with burning and animal bone. A large
number of animal bones (13,631) were recovered from this phase, consisting only of
domesticates. The nature of the assemblage - including neo-natals – suggests that there was
a viable settlement on site, rather than it being the result of feasting associated with the
burial site. Radiocarbon dates from 40 skeletons (see below) suggest that the site was used
for around four centuries from A.D. 650 – 1050. Later skeletons appear to relate to the
cemetery being used as a cillín.
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