EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Mayo
Carrowkeel, Co. Mayo
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: M09651705 (109657/317058)
SMR No: MA038-004
Excavation Licence: 02E0598
Excavation Duration/Year: June - December 2002; September – October 2003.
Site Director: G. Walsh (National Roads Authority) & S. Zajac (Mayo County
Council).
The site consisted of a sub-circular bank-and-ditched enclosure (26m by 23m) set on gently
sloping ground (Fig. 217). Excavation of the site was required in order to facilitate road
construction. Evidence of an earlier Bronze Age ‘ritual’ enclosure and associated burials were
also found on site.
Investigation of the bank revealed that it consisted of a number of re-deposited mineral soils
laid down in regular layers in a clockwise direction: this material appear to have been sourced
from just outside the enclosure. The site was quite degraded, but evidence for a stone
revetment was identified on the external face of the bank. The probably entranceway was
also associated with stone revetting, and large, possible postholes were discovered
underlying these stones, possibly representing gate-posts of an earlier phased entrance.
The ditch was U-shaped with an average width of 4m and depth of 2.2m. A small assemblage
of animal bones (including deer bones) were recovered from the lower fills of the ditch, as
well as part of a quernstone, the shaft of a bronze ring pin, and a pointed piece of corroded
iron.
The interior of the site was greatly disturbed by later re-use of the site, firstly as a cillín, and
also for agriculture. The remains of a spindle whorl and a blue glass bead were recovered
from the disturbed topsoil. A large pit (2m by 1.2m by 0.65m deep) was the major surviving
internal feature. Finds from this included animal bone, a bone weaving-tool, iron slag and iron
objects. Similar finds were recovered from an adjacent surviving occupation horizon.
Fig. 217: Plan of enclosure at Carrowkeel, Co. Mayo (after Walsh & Zajac 2004).
References:
Walsh, G. & Zajac, S. 2004. Excavation of an enclosure at Carrowkeel, Crossmolina, Co.
Mayo. Unpub’d report for National Roads Authority & Mayo County Council.
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