Archaeological Report - Killeisk, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3587 - Killeisk, Co. Tipperary
Early Bronze Age pits, medieval enclosure and associated field enclosures

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Killeisk
Co. Tipperary

Early Bronze Age pits, medieval enclosure and
associated field enclosures

Date: December 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National Roads Authority

Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)
E No: E3587

Excavation Director: Simon O'Faolain
Written by: Simon O'Faolain

Killeisk
Co. Tipperary

Excavation Director

Simon O'Faolain

Written By

Simon O'Faolain

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

CORK GALWAY
The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: info@eachtra.ie tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: galway@eachtra.ie

© Eachtra Archaeological Projects 2011
The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland

Table of Contents
Summary�� 1
Acknowledgements�� 2
1 Scope of the project �� 3
2 Route location�� 3
3 Receiving environment �� 5
4 Archaeological and historical background �� 6
5 Site Location and Topography �� 9
6 Excavation methodology �� 9
7 Excavation results �� 13
DescriptionofPrehistoricPitGroup1��13
DescriptionofPrehistoricPitGroup2��19
DescriptionofEnclosureandAssociatedFieldsystem��23
Descriptionofkilnandassociatedfeatures��41
�
8 Discussion �� 52
9 References ��56
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index �� 59
Appendix 2 Stratigraphic Matrix ��60
Appendix 3 Groups and sub-groups �� 61
Appendix 4 Lithic Artefact Report��83
Appendix 5 Quernstone Report ��85
Appendix 6 Plant Remains Report ��88
Appendix 7 Animal Bone Report ��99
Appendix 8 Geophysical Survey ��105

i

List of Figures
Figure 1: Portion of map of Ireland showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh
(Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1)� �� 4
Figure 2: Discovery series Ordnance survet map showing the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1) and the location
of all excavation sites� �� 8
Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of
Killeiks� ��10
Figure 4: Location and extent of Killeisk E3587 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh� �� 12
Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Killeisk E3587� �� 14
Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of prehistoric pit group 1 at Killeisk� �� 16
�
Figure 7: Sections of pit C245 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk� �� 17
Figure 8: Post-excavation plan of prehistoric pit group 2 at Killeisk� ��20
�
Figure 9: Sections of pit C464 and C466 at Killeisk� ��21
Figure 10: Post-excavation plan of enclosure and associated field systems at Killeisk� ��26
Figure 11: Sections of enclosure ditch L1 C�4 and well C�135 at Killeisk� ��28
Figure 12: Sections of L9 C522, L8 C92 and L4 C11� ��32
Figure 13: Sections of L5 C13 and L8 C24� ��34
Figure 14: Sections of L1 C4, L5 C13 and L10 C111� ��35
Figure 15: Post-excavation plan of kiln and associated features at Killeisk� ��37
Figure 16: Sections of kiln C358 and pit C364 at Killeisk� ��43
Figure 17: Sections of L7 C100� ��45
Figure 18: Plan of geophysical showing extent of enclosure at Killeisk��49
Figure 19: Prehistoric sites on and in the environs of N7 Castletown to Nenagh� ��51
Figure 20: Medieval sites on and in the environs of N7 Castletown to Nenagh� ��53

ii

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial view of Killeisk� �� 11
Plate 2: View of pit C245 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk� �� 15
Plate 3: View of pit C281 at Killeisk� �� 15
Plate 4: View of charcoal enriched fills of pits in Bronze Age Pits Group 2 at Killeisk� �� 19
Plate 5: View of pit C466 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk� ��22
Plate 6: View of enclosure L1 at Killeisk from north-west� ��24
Plate 7: View of main cut of enclosure ditch C4 bottomed out and in section rectut C7 at
Killeisk� ��24
Plate 8: View of stone layer C88 in enclosure ditch C4 at Killeisk� Note quernstone
E3587:88:1 above whiteboard� ��27
Plate 9: View of main cut of enclosure ditch C4 and the narrower recut C7 inscised
through its base� ��27
Plate 10: View of L8 C24, C58 and L1 C4 from left to right at Killeisk� ��29
�
Plate 11: View of L2 C39 and C90 from NE and LI C4 in foreground at Killeisk� ��30
Plate 12: View of L4 C11 and L5 C13 from NW at Killeisk� �� 31
Plate 13: Quernstone E3587:130:1� ��33
Plate 14: Quernstone E3587:125:1� ��33
Plate 15: View of kiln and associated features from NW at Killeisk� ��42
Plate 16: View of kiln C538 at Killeisk� ��42
Plate 17: View of charcoal in cupola of kiln C538 at Killeisk ��44
Plate 18: Hone stone E3587:1:1� ��47

List of Tables
Table 1 Linear Numbers and corresponding cut numbers used in the text� ��25
Table 2 Radiocarbon dates ��50

iii

KilleisK-e3587 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3587-killeisk-co-tipperary/

Summary
The excavation of the site at Killeisk comprised a mixture of Early Bronze Age activity
and high and late medieval activity. Two separate groups of pits dated to the Early Bronze
Age. A large elliptical enclosure and associated linear features, which formed field enclo-
sures and droveways, dated to the high and late medieval period. A kiln and associated pit
and enclosure also dated to the late medieval period. The kiln was located to the south-
west of the enclosure. Two fragments of decorated rotary quern stones were recovered
from the enclosure and associated linear features. A small assemblage of animal bone was
recovered from the ditch of the enclosure.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Killeisk
E no. E3587
Site director Simon Ó Faoláin
Townland Killeisk
Parish Ballymackey
County Tipperary
Barony Upper Ormond
OS Map Sheet No. TN 21
National Grid Reference 194519 / 179498
Elevation 101 m O.D.

1

issUe 11: eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237 archaeological excavation report

Acknowledgements
The project was commissioned by Laois County Council and was funded by the Na-
tional Roads Authority under the National Development Plan (2000-2006). The project
archaeologist was Niall Roycroft. Kildare County Council supervised the archaeological
contract with RE staff of Pat Dowling and Colum Fagan. Kildare County Council Sen-
ior Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer
was John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation
manager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations and GIS are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs
by John Sunderland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Spe-
cialist analysis was carried out by Anne Carey, Mary Dillon, Penny Johnston, Margaret
McCarthy, Farina Sternke and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.

2


1 Scope of the project
Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the
National Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact
1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road
scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction
of the present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-
Castletown scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is ap-
proximately 191 hectares. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs
from Clashnevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county
border regions. The Ministers Direction Number is A38.
It was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-
2006. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority
through Laois County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our
cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct ar-
chaeological site investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to
assess the nature and extent of any new potential archaeological sites uncovered.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in 2007
under licence E3371, E3372 and E3375-8 issued by Department of the Environment Her-
itage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in consultation with the National Museum
of Ireland. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously
unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test sites of archaeo-
logical potential identified in the EIS.
Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites
identified within the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction
of the road. This phase of the project was carried out from June 2007 to February 2008
and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeologist. A total
of 27 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences issued by
DoEHLG.
A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the
project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work aris-
ing from archaeological works along the route of the new N7 Castletown to Nenagh. It
included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works.

2 Route location
The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road is located in Counties North Tipperary
and Offaly (OF) (Figure 1). The project (Contract 1) involves the construction of c. 17.5
km of the N7 from Clashnevin east of Nenagh to Castleroan south-east of Dunkerrin. It
passes through the townlands of Clashnevin, Derrybane, Newtown, Lissanisky, Killeisk,
Garavally, Derrycarney, Garrynafanna, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen, Falleen, Knock-
ane, Clash, Park, Rosdremid (OF), Clynoe (OF), Cullenwaine, Moneygall, Greenhills,

3

182550 198900 215250

4
193300
193300

!
(
Nenagh
issUe 11: eachtra JoUrnal - issn 2009-2237

Derg (Lough)

182950
182950

172600
172600

0 5 10

182550 198900
Kilometres
215250
±
Figure 1: Portion of map of Ireland showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1)�
archaeological excavation report


Drumbaun, Busherstown (OF), Drumroe (OF), Moatquarter, Loughan (OF) and Cas-
tleroan (OF). The townlands are located in the parishes of Ballymackey, Cullenwaine,
Castletownely, Rathnaveoge, Finglas and Dunkerrin and the baronies of Upper Ormond,
Ikerrin and Clonisk,
The route begins at the eastern end of the Nenagh bypass at Clashnevin c. 5 km east
of Nenagh and continues eastward on the northern side of the existing N7 in Co. Tip-
perary. It crosses a number of third class roads to the north of Toomyvara and 0.7 km
east of Clash crossroads crosses the Ollatrim River. It extends into County Offaly directly
east of Park. From here it crosses the R490 0.6 km north of Moneygall. It extends back
in County Tipperary and through the demesne of Greenhills before crossing the existing
N7 at the junction of Greenhills and Drumbaun townlands. It crosses back into County
Offaly and climbs east into Busherstown and Drumroe. It crosses the Keeloge Stream
into Moatquarter in County Tipperary and extends northeast back into County Offaly
through the townlands of Loughan and Castleroan 1.4 km southwest of Dunkerrin.

3 Receiving environment
North Tipperary is bounded on the west by the River Shannon and Lough Derg with
the Silvermines, to the south, and small hills extending towards Devilsbit and Borrisnoe
Mountains to the east. The mountains are composed largely of Silurian strata and Old
Red Sandstone. Copper, silver and lead deposits have been mined in the Silvermines. The
geology of the lowlands consists of Carboniferous limestone covered by glacial drift in
addition to tracts of raised bog.
The western portion of the study area is drained by the Ollatrim River which flows
westwards into the River Ballintotty which in turns drains into the River Nenagh. The
eastern portion is drained by the Keeloge Stream and other small water sources. These rise
in the foothills of the Silvermine Mountains and flow north. The Keeloge drains into the
Little Brosna River c. 1 km south of Shinrone, Co Offaly. The Brosna turns north and
drains into the Shannon south of Banagher.
The largest population centre in the area is Nenagh. The smaller population centres,
are Toomyvara, Moneygall and Dunkerrin.
The soils on the route are characterised by 80% grey brown podzolics, 10% gleys, 5%
brown earths and 5% basin peat. They are derived from glacial till of predominantly Car-
boniferous limestone composition. These soils occur in Tipperary and Offaly and have a
wide use range being suitable for both tillage and pasture (Gardiner and Radford 1980,
97-99). Land use along the route was a mix of grassland devoted to intensive dairying and
cattle-rearing and tillage.

5


4 Archaeological and historical background
Archaeological sites of numerous periods were discovered along the route of the new road
(Figure 2). The periods are referred to as follows: Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC), Neo-
lithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600 BC), and Iron Age (c. 500 BC
to AD 500), early medieval period (c. AD 500 to 1100), medieval period (c. AD 1100 to
1650), post-medieval period (c. AD 1650 to the present).

Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)
The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c.
8000 BC - 4000 BC). The majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupa-
tion has come from the river valleys. No evidence for the Mesolithic was recorded on the
route.

Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-
nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more
sedentary in nature. The most important Neolithic site in the vicinity was at Tullahedy
recorded on the route of the Nenagh by-pass. It was a specialist chert arrow manufactur-
ing site.
No evidence for a Neolithic site was recorded on the route but stone tools dating to
the Neolithic were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660, Cullenwaine E3741
and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools dating to the late Neolithic/Early
Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Castleroan E3909, Cullenwaine E3741,
Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1 E3638 and Moatquarter E3910. Neo-
lithic pottery was recorded at Cullenwaine E3741 and Drumbaun E3912.

Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600BC)
The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy and an increase in
settlement and burial sites. Copper ores were mined and copper, bronze and gold items
manufactured. The range of burial site types includes cist graves, pit and urn burials,
cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and stand-
ing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites
are known. The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh. These monuments
survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt, packed with heat-shattered stones, and
generally situated close to a water source. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cook-
ing places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth and subsequently placed in a trough
of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot stones and wrapped food
was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and
charcoal that were removed, forming the basis of the familiar mound.

6


Two new fulachta fiadh / burnt mounds were recorded at Clashnevin 1 E3586, Cullen-
waine E3741 and six at three separate locations in Greenhills, E3638, E3637 and E3658.
Evidence of nine roundhouses or partial round structures were recorded; two at Cas-
tleroan E3909, Derrybane 2 E3591 and Drumbaun 2 E3912 and one at Clash E3660,
Drumroe E3773 and Moatquarter E3910.

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Up to recently there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in Munster.
Settlement sites are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman,
2000) while the material culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, believed
to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monuments
of the period. Ten percent of sites excavated on NRA road schemes in recent years have
produced Iron Age dates. The dates have led to the identification of 30 new Iron Age sites
in Munster from road schemes in counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (McLaughlin
2008, 51). These include a ditched enclosure in Ballywilliam and a wooden trackway in
Annaholty Bog excavated on the route of the N7 Nenagh-Limerick (Taylor 2008, 54).
Three Iron Age dates were returned from pits in Castleroan E3909 and Drumroe
E3773 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1).

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)
The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The
characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-
merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000
and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s
(Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has
a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries
AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-
lar society (Stout 1997).
North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious
centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen
by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at
the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH
2006, 4-8).
Early medieval activity was recorded at five sites on the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Contract 1). A series of corn-drying kilns were recorded at Busherstown E3661.
A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774. An area of iron-
working and associated pits was recorded at Drumbaun E3912. Iron working activity,
corn-drying kilns and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659. A group of pits
and associated ditch were recorded at Drumroe E3773.

7

190400 196200 202000 207800

8
Killeisk 1

186400
186400

Castleroan 1
E 3909
Busherstown 1
E 3661
Loughan 1
E 4000

Greenhills 3
E 3658

Moneygall 2
Culleenwaine 1 E 3635
E 3741 Moatquarter 1
Clynoe 2 E 3910
E 3774

181800
181800

Park 1 Drumroe 1
Garravally Kilgorteen 1 E 3659 E 3773
E 3589 E 3739
Drumbaun 2
Derrybane 2 E 3912
E 3591 Greenhills 1 Greenhills 2
E 3638 E 3637
Clashnevin 2
E 3590 Clash 1 Park 2
E 3660 E 3772

Derrycarney 1
E 3740

Clashnevin 1 Derrybane 1 Killeisk 1
E 3586 E 3585 E 3587

177200
177200

0 3 6

Kilometres ±
190400 196200 202000 207800
Figure 2: Discovery series Ordnance survet map showing the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) Road Scheme (Contract 1) and the location of
all excavation sites�


High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)
This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tow-
er houses. The Anglo-Normans obtained charters in the thirteenth century for the towns
of Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Templemore and established markets. Nenagh grew
rapidly in the aftermath of the granting of the lands of Munster to Theobald fitzWalter in
1185 (ibid. 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-defended homesteads
in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth cen-
turies in counties, such as Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, mid-Cork and Limerick, that
were colonised by English settlers (O’Conor 1998, 58). The Archaeological Inventory for
North Tipperary lists 39 moated sites (2002, 298).
A medieval enclosure and associated field systems were recorded at Killeisk E3587. A
newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661. A series of ditches and
settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659.

Post-medieval period (c. 1650 to the present)
The post-medieval period is characterised by mills, limekilns, workhouses, country hous-
es and associated demesnes, vernacular buildings and field systems (Figure 3). A small
demesne associated with a county house was recorded in the townland of Greenhills.

5 Site Location and Topography
The site at Killeisk was located in level pasturage at between 100 and 110m OD (Plate
1). A small tributary stream of the Ollatrim River (Abhainn an Chalatroma) ran across
it from SE to NW, but had been diverted into an underground course in a deep ditch in
modern times. It lay in the NW corner of Killeisk townland adjacent to the boundary
with Garravally at W and Lissanisky at N.

6 Excavation methodology
The site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision.
Stripping was done with a tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Topsoil stripping
commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially outward until
the limit of the road take was reached or until the limit of the archaeological remains was
fully defined. A grid was set up in the excavation area(s) and all archaeological features
were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and mean-
ingful record of the site to be preserved. The excavation, environmental sampling, site
photographs, site drawings, find care and retrieval, on-site recording and site archive was
as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method state-
ments for excavation licences.

9

10
BALLINREE DERRYCARNEY

GARRAVALLY

y ar
r Tribut
Ri v e

Ol l a t r i m
LISSANISKY

KILLEISK

0 150 300

¥ Meters

Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of Killeiks�


Killeisk 1 (E3587)
0 30 60
Meters ±

Plate 1: Aerial view of Killeisk�

The site was excavated from 9 June to 25 August 2007. Only areas within the LMA
(lands made available) were resolved. The full extent of the area of excavation measured
10,000 m sq (Figure 4).
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register (Appendix 1)
and the stratigraphic matrix (Appendix 2). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found
in the groups and sub-groups text (Appendix 3). The context register and site photographs
maybe viewed in the EAPOD (Eachtra Archaeological Projects office database) in the
accompanying CD.

11

194132 194502 194872

12
179775
179775

LISSANISKY

y
G A R R AVA L LY

ributar
340 0

330 0

River T
320
0

31
00

Ollatrim
30
00

179545
179545

29
00

28
00

27
00
KILLEISK

260
0

179315
179315

250 0
Killeisk 1 (E3587)

240 0

230 0
0 100 200
Metres ±
194132 194502 194872

Figure 4: Location and extent of Killeisk E3587 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�


7 Excavation results
Archaeology on the site at Killeisk consisted of four main groups of features and a rela-
tively small group of ungrouped features (Figure 5). The four groups, each dealt with in
detail below, were:
[1] Pit Group 1: A number of mostly irregular pits some of which were filled with
‘burnt mound’ type charcoal enriched soil with some heat-shattered stone. Dating to the
Early Bronze Age, this group formed a fairly diffuse cluster slightly to SW of the centre
of the site.
[2] Pit Group 2: A discrete cluster of mostly irregular pits and cuts, some of which
were filled with ‘burnt mound’ type fills. These were located near the N end of the site
and again dated to the Early Bronze Age.
[3] Enclosure and Associated Field-system: Part of a large elliptical enclosure and as-
sociated linear features which themselves form part of a system of enclosures, droveways
and fields apparently dating from the late medieval period. This system occupied much of
the site except along its NW edge.
[4] Kiln and Associated Features: The sub-surface remains of a limestone-built kiln,
also apparently of late medieval date, along with three associated smaller features. This
group lay near the SW extremity of the site.

Description of Prehistoric Pit Group 1
This group consisted of some 30 cut features, mostly pits of some sort, which lay scattered
throughout the W central area of the site (Figure 6). The main concentration of these pits
lay in a cluster N of the droveway ditches. No finds were recovered in any of the features
forming part of this group. Six of the pits in this group were filled or partially filled with
black charcoal-rich ‘burnt mound’ type deposits with fire cracked stone. A radiocarbon
date for oak charcoal from this material gave a range of BC 2276–2047.
The central and most obviously archaeological part of the group is the central cluster
formed of seven fairly large cuts – three of them intercutting – and seven stakeholes. Cut
C245 [l. 2.34m, w. 1.26m, d. 0.18m] was irregular in plan with a flattish base and had
three stakeholes cut into its base, [C323, C325 and C327] (Figure 7, Plate 2). The cut and
all three stakeholes were filled with the same material, C244, a black charcoal-rich ‘burnt
mound’ type fill. Adjacent to the pit and forming an arc on its SE side, were four fur-
ther stakeholes [C354, C352, C356 and C350]. The fill in all four cases was a mid greyish
brown silty sand with no inclusions. The stakes are probably associated with the activity
at pit C245. The stakes cut into the base of the pit and those forming an arc on one side of
it would suggest some form of associated superstructure suspended on the stakes.
Cut 247 [l. 2.76m, w. 1.16m, d. 0.35m] was a large sub-rectangular pit. It had a single
original fill, mid grey sandy silt C293. A further, quite irregular cut [C268] had been in-
cised through the original fill on the N side of C247. There were three fills in this cut, the
uppermost of which [C246] was a black stony, charcoal-rich silt of ‘burnt mound’ type

13


194469 194540

±
L8
518
499
Bronze Age
512 464
pits 2
179564

179564
491 92
472 466
502 484
509 474

24 L8
448
135 Well

L1 Enclosure
187 183
L3 442 270 456
289 188 179

80
O
) 4 307 225 313 171
421 273
101 m O.D. 173 181 76

437 261
39 204
365 280
90
217 251 229
Bronze Age 259 19 417 213
pits 1 219 334 415
282
253 412
221 452 435
402 255 305 445
401
288 L2
381
409
245 281 Sub-enclosure
249 9 397
317
Droveway L4
54
390
11
128 L5
L6 13
111
L10

L7 L9
102
179458

179458

344
100
364 Kiln 522
358

0 30 m
194469 194540

Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of Killeisk E3587�

14


Plate 2: View of pit C245 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk�

Plate 3: View of pit C281 at Killeisk�

15

16
421
±
323 245

327
325 350
365

356
354 217
352

259
Bronze Age
pits 1
334

219
253
452
221
402 255

305
288 445

409 381
281

249
317

390 11
L4
0 10 m

Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of prehistoric pit group 1 at Killeisk�

Killeisk
E3587
NW facing profile of C.245
KilleisK-e3587

C.244
C.324
C.245

C.325

Killeisk 1
E3587
NE facing profile of C.352 and C.354

C.351 C.353

C.352
C.354

Killeisk
E3587
NE facing section of C.245

C.244

C.245

10 cm 0 50 cm
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3587-killeisk-co-tipperary/

Figure 7: Sections of pit C245 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk�

17


which was also the main secondary fill of original cut C247. A further large sub-oval cut,
C317 [l. 1.9m, w. 1.32m, d. 0.43m] had been cut adjacent to C247 on its E side. This itself
was truncated by a further oval cut, C345 [l. 0.44m, w. 0.39m, d. 0.43m], which had been
cut into the bottom of C317. Both fills post-dated the recut.
Some 3m to NE of the four intercutting pits lay C281 [l. 3.2m, w. 2.15m, d. 0.89m], a
large, deep cut, sub-circular in plan with steep sides and a flat base (Plate 3). It contained
six fills, five of which appeared sterile. The second lowest fill, C278 [d. 0.73m], was the
exception, a fine soft dark bluish silt with inclusions of charcoal lumps and which yielded
a sample of waterlogged wood. This pit may have been used as a water-hole or well.
Two further pits in the immediate vicinity contained ‘burnt mound’ type fills, ir-
regular pit C249 and sub-circular pit C219, oak charcoal from the fill of which gave a
radiocarbon date range of cal BC 2276-2047 (UB–15091).
About 10m to W of the above features lay a scattered group of three quite irregular
pits, C381, C390 and C402. The fills of these features contained a certain amount of
charcoal but other wise their form and content were uninformative.

Interpretation of Pit Group 1.
This group is interpreted as a cluster of pits some or all of which relate to some form of
pyrotechnical activity.
Of the nine cut features considered to be definitely archaeological, all but one (C219)
were found in a tight grouping. Here we had four pits the fill of which was typical of
burnt material from prehistoric pit groups, consisting of black charcoal-enriched silt with
frequent inclusions of fire-shattered stone. One of the pits had three stakeholes cut into
its base, with a further four stakeholes forming an arc immediately to SE. This suggests
the likelihood of some form of superstructure having existed in this case. Another pit,
C247, had a distinctly rectangular shape in plan. Pits C247, C268 and C317 intercut each
other and the latter had a further recut, C345, in its base, all of which suggest some reuse
or alteration of this arrangement of pits. None of the pits containing ‘burnt mound’ type
material exhibited any signs of in situ burning, and so it is not certain that they were
originally intended for use in relation to pyrotechnical activity. Nothing in their fills or
shapes indicated what their original purpose might have been, and only the usual sug-
gestion of use for storage may be made. A single grain of barley was recovered from the
fill of pit C247, but while interesting, a single grain cannot be deemed sufficient to sug-
gest anything as regards the function of the pit and could easily have blown in from the
surrounding area. Nonetheless, it does at least suggest that agricultural and/or domestic
activities were taking place in the immediate vicinity of the pits.
Adjacent to these pits at NE was a large, deep sub-circular cut, C281, the lower fill
of which was waterlogged and which produced samples of waterlogged wood. This may
have been a well or water-hole. Its proximity to the pits filled with burnt material and
stakeholes suggest it might have been a water source used to supply the needs of whatever
‘hot stone’ process was taking place here.

18


Plate 4: View of charcoal enriched fills of pits in Bronze Age Pits Group 2 at Killeisk�

Other than this grouping just discussed, the other features in Pit Group 1 are less
certainly linked. Small pit or post-hole C259 had a shape which suggested deliberate for-
mation, but was likewise isolated from any other definitely archaeological feature. Other
than the ‘burnt mound’ type fills referred to, the other fills of the features in this sub-
group, though often containing traces of charcoal, are mostly grey and brown silts of the
type which occur all over the site and which seem to result from natural silting.
C219 is another flat-based sub-circular pit filled with ‘burnt mound’ type material,
but lies isolated from the others some 9m to N. It is of particular note, however, because
it is the only feature in this group to produce a radiocarbon date. This was for oak char-
coal from the upper ‘burnt mound’ type fill C218 and gave a dating range of cal BC
2276–2047 (UB–15091). Such a date, in the Early Bronze Age, is fairly typical for such
pit groups with their burnt fills.

Description of Prehistoric Pit Group 2
This group consists of a fairly discrete cluster of 16 cut features, all but one lying within
the same 10m grid [120,120] and the exception lying immediately outside of this (Figure
8). Of these cuts 9 are pits and 7 stakeholes. The overall appearance of the group was very
similar to that of Group 1 above, i.e. a number of pits clustered around a central large
pit which featured a number of stakeholes within and/or around it. There were likewise
a significant number of features which were filled or partially filled with ‘burnt mound’

19


529 464
±
528
525
518 527 466
531 526

499 530

468

517

491 507
512

464
Bronze Age
pits 2

468
502
472

484
509 474

0 5 m

Figure 8: Post-excavation plan of prehistoric pit group 2 at Killeisk�

type fills [6 of the pits] (Plate 4). Again, no artefacts or bone were recovered from any of
the features. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 2286–2140 (UB–15092) for Pomoideae [family
including apple, and hawthorn] charcoal, showed that the two pit groups at Killeisk are
roughly contemporary.
The central feature was a large flat-based circular pit, C466 [l. 1.92m, w. 1.6m, d.
0.2m], the lower fill of which [C465] was ‘burnt mound’ type material and which had
7 stakeholes cut into its sides and base [C525-531] (Figure 9, Plate 5). The fills of these
stakeholes were in all cases free of the burnt material filling the lower part of the pit, a fact
suggesting the stakes had been removed or had rotted a long time before the dumping of
the burnt fill in the pit.
The W side of C466 was truncated by an elongated irregular cut, C468 which had the
same burnt fill as the former. It was itself truncated by a post-medieval field-drain. Three
more quite substantial but irregular pits [C472, C474 and C464], two of which contained
‘burnt mound’ type material, lay in the immediate vicinity of the central round cut. A
further spread of this material was excavated immediately to W of C468.
About 0.8m to E of C466 was C464 [l. 1.27m, w. 1.01m, d. 0.24m], a pit of irregular
plan with gentle to steeply sloping sides and an irregular base. The single fill was C463, a
black charcoal-enriched silty sand with fragmented stones. A radiocarbon date range of
cal BC 2286–2140 (UB–15092) was returned for charcoal from this fill.

20

Killeisk
E3587
East facing section of C.464
KilleisK-e3587

#
# # #
#
C.463

#

C.464

Killeisk
E3587
SE facing section of C.466

C.496

# C.465
# #
# # # # # #
# #
# # #
C.466

10 cm 0 50 cm
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3587-killeisk-co-tipperary/

Figure 9: Sections of pit C464 and C466 at Killeisk�

21


Plate 5: View of pit C466 and associated stake-holes at Killeisk�

Four other smaller cuts [C499, C507, C512 and C517] lay scattered between 1 and
5m to N of the central cluster, two of which contained ‘burnt mound’ type material, and
which are interpreted as small pits or post-holes.

Interpretation and Discussion of Pit Group 2.
This group was similar to Pit Group 1 in that it consisted essentially of a cluster of pits
centred on a single large pit with stakeholes incised into its base and sides. In both groups
there was ample evidence of the use of ‘hot stone’ technology for some purpose, in the
form of fills of black, charcoal-rich silts with quantities of heat-shattered stone. Also, in
both cases the densest distribution of cut features occurred around the central pit, thus
confirming its central function and importance, with the burnt fills found almost exclu-
sively in the central feature and the cut features immediately adjacent to it.
The seven stakeholes in the base of circular cut C466 were the best structural evidence
in this group and must represent the remains of some form of superstructure relating to
the pit’s use. However, the fills of the stakeholes indicate that they were either rotted or
withdrawn and naturally silted up before the pit was used as a location to deposit the
burnt stone fill. Alternatively the stakes might have been in situ and still standing when
the burnt fill was deposited, but this seems unlikely. In the latter scenario one would
expect some of the burnt fill to have entered the upper fill of the stakeholes as the stakes
rotted, and this was not found to be the case. These facts, coupled with the absence of
any evidence in the sides or bases of any of the pits for in-situ burning (another fact paral-

22


leled in Pit Group 1), emphasizes that the deposition of the ‘burnt mound’ type fills was
– despite being the most notable feature of the group – peripheral and subsequent to the
original usage of the pit group, whatever that may have been. Large regular-planned pits
with numbers of stakeholes cut into their base are frequently found in association with
Fulachta Fiadh in which situation they are generally interpreted as water troughs.
Other than the stakeholes referred to, there are two other features which could have
served a structural purpose; cuts C499 and C512. Both of these were sub-oval with round,
flat bases tilted at a slight angle, and of similar dimensions. They are considered possible
post-holes and lie 3.6m from each other. The possibility that they were both part of the
support for the same structure is noted, although in the absence of further post-holes a
suggestion of what this might have been would be highly speculative. The fills of both
these cuts are completely free of any charcoal content, which would suggest they were
not contemporary with the phase of pyrotechnical activity which is noted in the ‘burnt
mound’ type fills of six cuts. The absence of any form of post-pipe suggests that if C499
and C512 held post-holes that they were withdrawn at some stage and allowed to silt up
naturally.
A shared angular but irregular morphology is noted in the plans of two adjacent fea-
tures, cuts C472 and C474, but no plausible functional explanation can be advanced at
present.
Overall, then, it is only possible at present to say that some process involving ‘hot
stone’ technology was taking place in the immediate environs of Group 4, but that this
was not central to the reason for which these cuts were originally excavated. In terms of
dating, a single radiocarbon sample of Pomoidae charcoal from the ‘burnt mound’ type
fill of pit C464 gave a dating range of cal BC 2286–2140 (UB–15092). This range is simi-
lar to the Early Bronze Age date from Pit Group 1 and suggests the two pit groups may
have been contemporary.

Description of Enclosure and Associated Field system
During excavation each linear feature on site was allocated a Linear Number for ease of
discussion [see Table 1 and Figure 5]. The majority of these [L1, L2, L4, L5, L8, L9 and
L10] form part of a field system associated with an enclosure while two [L3 and L6] were
modern field boundaries.
The majority of the ditches on the site were excavated as a series of substantial sections
rather than in a single-context manner. As a result of this, and adhering to correct archae-
ological recording methodology, within each linear feature several widespread contexts
received several context numbers which were subsequently conflated under the lowest of
the context numbers given; e.g. the main cut in enclosure ditch L1 was given, in different
sections, the numbers C4, C5, C32, C38, C43, C59, C97, C106, C122, C143, C153 and
C160, but for purposes of post-excavation analysis they are all called C4.

23


Plate 6: View of enclosure L1 at Killeisk from north-west�

Plate 7: View of main cut of enclosure ditch C4 bottomed out and in section rectut C7 at Killeisk�

24


Linear Type Main cut nos.
1 Enclosure ditch C4
2 Sub-enclosure ditch C9, C,39 and C90
3 Modern field boundary
4 N droveway ditch C11
5 S droveway ditch C13
6 Modern field boundary
7 Kiln windbreak C100
8 Field boundary C24 and C92
9 Field boundary C102 and C522
10 Field boundary C111
Table 1 Linear Numbers and corresponding cut numbers used in the text�

Main enclosure ditch [L1] and internal features
This formed an ellipse in plan, aligned with its long axis running NW-SE (Figure 10,
Plate 6). Only approximately two fifths of its area was exposed within the road-take, the
rest of its extent being traced in the adjacent field to SE. The enclosure was associated with
a number of linear cuts which are considered on the basis of horizontal stratigraphy and
finds to be coeval and which form part of a system of enclosures, sub-enclosures, drove-
ways and field-boundaries. The excavated portion of the main cut of the enclosure ditch,
Linear 1 (C4), had an overall circumference of c.120m, with a width varying from 1.4m
up to 2.5m and a depth between 0.16m and 0.72m (Plate 7). In general, it was wider and
shallower on its SW side and narrower and deeper on its NE side. The base varied from
flat to flattish irregular and the sides were mostly slightly concave.
Some 33 different layers/deposits were excavated within the cut. Of these, 11 showed
clear signs of human activity, mainly through the presence of animal bone and/or a good
degree of charcoal flecking. Analysis of the bone recovered from the various fills of the
enclosure ditch has identified those of cattle, horse, sheep/goat, pig, cat, dog, deer, rab-
bit and some type of bird. Bone was recovered from the uppermost context [C1] down
to some of the lowermost [C104, C81, C36], indicating that whatever was producing the
bone waste – probably domestic food preparation – was practised for the duration of the
enclosure’s use period. Of particular note in this regard was C6, a widespread and thick
fill which was heavily charcoal flecked and contained a significant number of animal
bone fragments. This fill is probably a habitation layer washed into the cut. Some iron
artefacts were recovered from the enclosure cut, including a horse-shoe and several nails.
These were confined to three of the uppermost fills of the enclosure cut [C1, C155 and
C149]. Also near the surface, on the S side of the enclosure cut where it borders the sub-
enclosure between L1 and L2 [see below], was a deposit of large stones and rocks, C88,
which included part of a rotary quern fragment (E3587:88:1) (Plate 8). C3 was a layer of
silty clay which occurred along the inner edge of the cut of the ditch throughout the ma-
jority of its exposed length and which is thought to be material slumped from an internal
bank associated with the ditch (see Figure 14).

25


L8
92 ±
24

L8

448

135 Well
134

Enclosure

196 183
270
187 185
175
193
442 188 456
191 177
294 179
289

4
80
171
L1
273 173

76

261
437

204
39
280
90

434 431 229
251
19 417
213

L2 282

412
415 435

401
Sub
419
enclosure
397
9
54 307
225 313
L4 11
230 263 311
296
240 205 285 291
234 237
242 207 201
13 L5 232

210 181

0 10 m

Figure 10: Post-excavation plan of enclosure and associated field systems at Killeisk�

26


Plate 8: View of stone layer C88 in enclosure ditch C4 at Killeisk� Note quernstone E3587:88:1 above
whiteboard�

Plate 9: View of main cut of enclosure ditch C4 and the narrower recut C7 inscised through its base�

27

Killeisk

28
E3587
NW facing section of C.135

C.103

C.149

L1 Enclosure Ditch

C.104

C.4

C.136

Well

C.144

C.135
10 cm 0 50 cm

Figure 11: Sections of enclosure ditch L1 C�4 and well C�135 at Killeisk�

Archaeological Report - Killeisk, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Killeisk, Co. Tipperary (Ireland)

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