EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Limerick
backfilled deposit. The metalled track-way was identified as a linear stony band (maximum of
3.30m by 9.25m) and animal bone from its upper level produced a 2Σ calibrated date of A.D.
1016-1179.
Another stone track-way (2.80m wide) defined on its western edge by a stone setting (0.5-
0.8m wide) was identified inside the enclosure. This stone spread post-dated a partially
excavated ditch feature (2.1m wide and over 0.75m deep). Animal bone from the fill of the
pit/ditch produced a 2Σ calibrated date of A.D. 1032-1210 indicating that it was roughly
contemporary with the stone spread. Another large undated pit (over 1m deep) contained a
large quantity of animal bone suggesting that it was used as a dump in its final stages.
The artefacts from the site were limited to stone and metal and included whet-, rubber- and
hone-stones, a clay bead, curved lignite bracelet, possible lignite pendant, iron rods, copperalloy
tube and a copper-alloy clip as well as a large flint and chert lithic assemblage. Evidence
for iron/metalworking was indicated by a small quantity of iron slag (65g), a furnace bottom,
a possible clay mould and two small fragments of fired clay, possibly from furnace lining.
Cattle dominated the large faunal assemblage at the site and were followed by sheep, pig,
wild bird, dog, frog, cat, horse and woodmouse in descending order. Butchery marks and the
evidence for complete carcasses from the three main livestock animals indicate that
slaughtering and butchery were carried out within the confines of the enclosure. Barley was
the preferred cereal crop followed by oats and wheat.
The large palisaded enclosure at Ballynagallagh is quite unique in the Irish archaeological
record as early medieval ‘ringforts’ or ‘ráths’ are generally much smaller (Stout 1997, 15). A
partially excavated oval-ditched enclosure (70m by 52m) at Killederdadrum, Co. Tipperary
had evidence for internal circular structures, a deliberately backfilled ditch and a possible
bank palisade; similar features which are also found at Ballynagallagh.
Fig. 184: Plan of areas of excavation and magnetometry survey (after Cleary 2006, 4).
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