Excavation - miscellaneous

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture 400m NE of Rathcannon Castle (LI039- 027001-). Not depicted on OSi historic maps. Identified as BGE 3/76/19-20 in 2002 by Ken Wiggins (Licence 02E0119) during topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West. Excavated in 2002 by Kate Taylor and Liam McKinstry under licence No. 02E0497 the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘Nine cut features and two spreads were recorded. The eastern part of the site showed a series of stratified remains with three phases of activity. The features in the western area could not be assigned to these phases but are thought to be broadly contemporaneous. The earliest phase in the eastern part of the site was represented by two small pits, a short length of gully and a small spread of material. These were followed by a curvilinear gully that cut several of the earlier features. Covering all of these deposits was an earthen bank, also visible in the adjacent fields, an element of the surrounding abandoned field system. No associated ditch was evident, but this may be due to modern truncation of the area. The western features could not be assigned to any phase, but it is probable that they were related to the eastern features. There were five pits in this area. Two small, isolated pits contained silty fills including a moderate amount of animal bone and a small piece of iron slag. The remaining pits, however, appeared to have had an industrial purpose. They were distinctively circular, with deep bowl-shaped profiles, and the fills contained high quantities of burnt stone, charcoal and ash-like material. There was also, in one case, evidence of in situ burning. Finds from these pits were a large quantity of animal bone and a piece of what appeared to be metalworking residue, probably lead run-off. Although no directly datable artefacts were recovered, the fresh appearance of the animal bone collected from all phases and areas of the site suggests that the material is late medieval or post-medieval. The limited evidence of metalworking is curious as it suggests an industrial element to the activity, in contrast to the domestic appearance of the animal bone assemblage. Analysis of the residues will allow greater interpretation of the industrial activities. It is also hoped that further research will provide information on the date of the field system and hence the features lying below the earthen bank (Taylor and McKinstry 2004, 343)’. Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images.

Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick

Date of upload: 22 May 2021

References

Taylor, K. and McKinstry, L. 2004 Rathcannon (BGE 3/76/19-20); Post-medieval earthwork and pits. In I. Bennett (ed.) Excavations 2002: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland, 342, No. 1247. Wordwell, Bray.