10.01.2014 Views

EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Offaly<br />

Ballintemple, Co. Offaly<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: N50662158 (250669/221581)<br />

SMR No: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence: 03E1127<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: 2003.<br />

Site Director: C. McDermot (Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit).<br />

A sub-circular enclosure was exposed on the field surface during peat cutting. This was<br />

defined by an outer palisade of (predominantly) single posts, and a gap in the north-eastern<br />

side may represent the original site entrance (Fig. 253). Brushwood rods appear to have been<br />

interwoven around these posts, creating a wattle wall. A second line of posts was located<br />

about 1m on the inside of the outer palisade.<br />

A large hearth was located at the centre of the enclosure. This was associated with fragments<br />

of burnt stone and burnt bone. Approximately 60 vertical posts at the northern and southwestern<br />

corners of the hearth would appear to represent structural features; and a wooden<br />

flooring of interlocked roundwood extended on three sides of the hearth. <strong>The</strong> hearth and its<br />

surrounding features appear to be defined by two arcs of stakes, possibly representing the<br />

double-wall of a wicker-built roundhouse. A radiocarbon date taken from the charcoal in the<br />

heath would suggest an early medieval date for this structure.<br />

Seven disturbed artefacts were recovered from the surface of the site – three fragments of a<br />

stone disc; three pieces of flint; a chert core; two possible whet-stones; and two fragments of<br />

leather.<br />

538

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!