Prehistoric site - lithic scatter

The National Monuments Service's description

Following on from the discovery of numerous lithics a survey was commissioned of c.72 acres of a clear-felled irregularly-shaped area in Rathcarrick townland (Hammar and Bergh cited in Coyne 2010, 15). The purpose of the survey was to determine the occurrence of prehistoric lithics exposed by the clear-felling, to record the locations and to indicate the areas of archaeological significance. A certain amount of ground damage had been caused by machinery during the felling process although this varied throughout the area surveyed. The visibility of artefacts was also impacted by the growth of brushwood and scrub.

A total number of 3,600 worked lithics was recorded, at 1,035 find spots. Concentrations of finds were influenced by the degree of visibility. It was noted that areas where few finds were recorded should not be seen as indicative of low activity, as this may simply be the result of low visibility. The lithics recovered from the steeper slopes frequently consisted of chunks of chert, cores and flakes and contained very few formal tools. It was also noted that there was a close spatial relationship between high intensity find spots and exposed outcrops. In some cases these exposed outcrops where a high number of lithics were recovered are located just above terraces: these were interpreted as functioning either as possible processing or habitation areas. Most of the formal tools recorded were associated with these areas.

A number of depressions or "scoops" were also identified and these were interpreted as possibly indicating prehistoric settlement. Subsequent excavation (licence no. 07E0803) of a sample indicated that the ‘features are unlikely to be the result of anthropogenic activity and are of no archaeological significance.’ (Brady 2010, 423). It has been suggested that the extensive quarrying may be related to the evidence for a lithic industry identified on the eastern side of the summit of Knocknarea, where tool production (notably concave scrapers) was a central part of Neolithic activity on the mountain (Coyne 2010, 15).

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 11 March 2014

References

Brady, N. 2010 Rathcarrick and Grange North (Knocknarae). In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavation 2007. Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland. Wordwell. Dublin, no., 1540, 423.

Coyne, F. 2010 Preliminary archaeological advice report for the re-planting and management of a clear-felled area at Knocknarea, Co. Sligo. In Coyne, F. and Collins, T. 2010 A conservation study of the passage tmb groups and associated archaeological features and other monuments at Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill, Co. Sligo. Unpublished report for the National Monuments Service, 1-63.

Coyne, F. and Collins, T. 2010 A conservation study of the passage tmb groups and associated archaeological features and other monuments at Knocknarea, Carrowmore and Carns Hill, Co. Sligo. Unpublished report for the National Monuments Service.