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The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie
Preliminary Report on the excavation
of Wedge tomb CL016-061002,
Parknabinnia, Co. Clare.
Licence 16E0129
January 2017
Dr Ros Ó Maoldúin
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric archaeology
www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie
Contents
Abstract ................................................................................................................................... i
List of figures ......................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 4
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 6
Site location ............................................................................................................................ 6
Archaeological background.................................................................................................... 9
Project Aims ......................................................................................................................... 18
Archaeological excavation ................................................................................................... 19
Excavation methodology .................................................................................................. 20
Results of the archaeological excavation .......................................................................... 21
Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 36
Appendix 1 List of contexts ................................................................................................. 38
Appendix 2 List of finds....................................................................................................... 40
Appendix 3 Bone list ............................................................................................................ 42
Appendix 4 Horse mandible identification .......................................................................... 73
Appendix 5 Radiocarbon date .............................................................................................. 74
Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 75
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Abstract
This report details the excavation of wedge tomb CL016-061002, on Roughan Hill, Co. Clare.
It was excavated between June and August of 2016 as part of a fieldschool
(www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie). This was the second of three planned wedge tomb
excavations on Roughan Hill, aimed at addressing questions and theories set out in a paper
prior to commencement (Jones et al. 2015).
The tomb had been damaged and retained only one standing stone, it had suffered severe badger
disturbance. Nonetheless, a substantial amount of human bone, mostly cremated but also
unburnt was retrieved. Despite most of this coming from badger upcast, it will prove useful for
osteological, aDNA and isotope analyses.
Several lithics were retrieved from and around the cairn. These were mostly debitage and
cannot be stratigraphically tied to the burial depositions within the tomb. These are being
analysed by lithics specialist Dr Killian Driscoll.
Flakes from two polished stone objects were found, one in an in-situ deposit potentially
associated with a deposition of cremated bone and the other on the natural surface under badger
upcast and topsoil out front of the tomb. These will both be further analysed by the author,
brought to the Geology Dept., NUIG, for petrological identification and illustrated for the final
report.
Once, the osteological and zooarchaeological analyses are complete a comprehensive program
of radiocarbon dating, aDNA and isotope analyses is planned. The aDNA work will be carried
out by Lara Cassidy and Professor Dan Bradley at Trinity College Dublin, and the isotope
analysis will be carried out by Dr Rick Schulting’s team at the School of Archaeology, Oxford
University. It is intended to get all radiocarbon dates from Tandem Laboratories, Uppsala,
Sweden.
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List of figures
Fig. 1 The location of the Roughan Hill tomb cluster in relation to other wedge tombs.
Fig. 2 Rectified orthophoto of the site and its environs during excavation.
Fig. 3 CL016-061002 and other wedge tombs on Roughan Hill in relation to the earlier
Neolithic Megaliths.
Fig. 4 CL0017-00082 in relation to earlier and potentially contemporary archaeology.
Fig. 5 Wedge tombs in Ireland.
Fig. 6 Plan of the wedge tomb excavated during 2015.
Fig. 7 1st Edition OS map (1837-1942), with the location of CL016-061002 indicated.
Fig. 8 Westropp’s map of Roughan Hill.
Fig. 9 Photo of Cl. 59 by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, taken from the west.
Fig. 10 Drawing of Cl 59 by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961.
Fig. 11 Pre-excavation photo of the tomb, taken from the west.
Fig. 12 Numbered tombs as recorded by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961 and additional
tombs (lettered) added by the Jones et al. survey 1996.
Fig. 13 Orthophoto of the excavation after the removal of the topsoil.
Fig. 14a-d Excavating and recording (a: commencing excavation, b: inside the chamber, c:
moving a large stone & d: our youngest excavator).
Fig. 15a-b Unexcavated material with the potential for further remains (a: beneath and
adjacent cap-stone fragment C6 & b: remaining up-cast).
Fig. 16a-c Extensions to the original trench (a: The southern extension, b: the northern
extension & c: the area to the west/front of the tomb prior to the western
extension, showing the badger up-cast).
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Fig. 17 Photo of the core taken through the subsoil.
Fig. 18 Plan of the excavation post-initial removal of the topsoil.
Fig. 19 Post-excavation plan, showing areas left undisturbed.
Fig. 20 Site Matrix.
Fig. 21 Photo of the runnels on the interior side of the standing sidestone, taken from
the northwest.
Fig. 22 Photo of the crew estimating the amount the rear of the tomb may have sunk
into badger burrowing, taken from the north.
Fig. 23 Photo of the in-situ part of the northern sidestone (C8), taken from the south.
Fig. 24 Photo of the backstone (C8), taken from the east.
Fig. 25 Photo of the surface beneath the original floor of the tomb, on which leaves and
other detritus brought in by burrowing animals were found, taken from the
north.
Fig. 26 Photo of the cobble flake (C79) in-situ, taken from the south.
Fig. 27 Photo of the unexcavated material left between C6 and C4, taken from the west.
Fig. 28 Photo of the sub-aerially eroded boulders C14a & b, to the front/west of the
tomb, taken from the west.
Fig. 29 Photo of the horse mandible in situ, taken from the east.
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Acknowledgements
First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to all the Burren landowners who
allowed us unrestricted access to and through their land. We would especially like to thank Pat
McInerney, Thomas Hegarty and their families; our excavation was on Pat’s land and we
accessed the site through Thomas’s land daily.
Secondly, we would like to thank all our Tuesday night lecturers: Professor William O’Brien,
Mary Cahill, Dr Stefan Bergh, Dr Alan Hawkes, Dr Kerri Cleary, Christine Grant, Professor
Gabriel Cooney, Dr Kate Leonard and Dr Neil Carlin. Thanks also, to all those who attended
and thereby financially supported those talks and to Gerard Kennedy at Corofin Hall.
Thanks, are also due to all of those who visited and gave helpful opinions, especially our
academic director: Dr Carleton Jones, NUIG archaeology department members: Joe Fenwick
and Angela Gallagher, local archaeologists: Michael and Clodagh Lynch, and hydrologist: Dr
David Drew.
Last, but not least, the site director would like to express his gratitude to all the 2015 students,
supervisors, volunteers and specialists, listed below.
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Supervisors Students Specialists
Dr Eve Campbell Emily Smith Dr Fiona Beglane: Zooarchaeology
Dr Ger Dowling Jessica Murray Dr Linda Lynch: Osteoarchaeology
Dr Jenny Immich Ryan O’Sullivan Lynda McCormack: Loughcrew tour
Taylor Sobey Prof Dan Bradley: aDNA
Volunteers Alec Fancher Lara Cassidy: aDNA
Aileen Treacy Shelby Stuparits Prof Rick Schulting: Isotopes
Richie Jones Zoe Goodwin Dr Killian Driscoll: Lithics
Mary Howard Darcy Philips Prof Göran Possnert: Radiocarbon dating
Eileen O'Connor Donna Sessions Dr Richard Clutterbuck QGIS
Pascal Duffy Adrienne Gaiennie Dr Paul Naessans UAV survey
Margaret Duffy Zenora Lojkovzd
Pat Muldoon Damhnait Uí Mhaoldúin
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Introduction
This report comprises the preliminary results of the excavation of a wedge tomb on Roughan
Hill, in Parknabinnia townland, Co. Clare (CL016-061002). These works are part of a larger
project on Roughan Hill (www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie), which aims to explore prehistoric
society in the west of Ireland. The work was carried out as part of a National University of
Ireland, Galway fieldschool, ‘The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology’
(www.prehisotricfieldschool.ie) and was largely funded through the participation fees of
students. The excavation was directed by Dr Ros Ó Maoldúin and overseen by our academic
director Dr Carleton Jones. The work was carried out under licence number 16E0129, between
April and August 2016.
Site location
Wedge tomb CL016-061002 is located on Roughan Hill, in Parknabinnia townland, Co. Clare,
at NGR 125772, 193377 or ITM 525739, 693414 (Figs 1-4). Roughan Hill is a southwest to
northeast orientated ridge situated on the southern extent of the Burren. Prior to the excavation,
the site had become enveloped in hazel forest/scrub and a path had to be cut to access it.
Consequently, it was difficult to get a visual understanding of the surrounding landscape. The
site is located on a slope that falls off to the north, with rising karst to the south and east. It is
likely that, if the scrub were to be cleared, there would be good views to the north, but for less
than 180 degrees. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Burren, with occasionally bare
karst limestone protruding through thin but fertile soils, however, in the immediate vicinity of
the tomb there appear to be some deeper soils, something which the excavation bore out.
The site was badly disturbed by badgers, probably attracted by the deeper soils at this location.
Entrances to their set were in evidence around the site and stones exposed as recently as the
1960s (see archaeological background below) had become covered by upcast from their
burrowing. The set was abandoned before we started works at the site.
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Fig 1. The location of the Roughan Hill tomb cluster in relation to other wedge tombs (Fig
by Dr Richard Clutterbuck).
Fig 2. Rectified ortho-photograph of the site location constructed from Aerial photographs
taken with a UAV (drone), during the excavation (Fig by Dr Paul Naessens). To view this
in 3D go to https://skfb.ly/XKux
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Fig 3. CL016-061002 and other wedge tombs on Roughan Hill in relation to the earlier
Neolithic Megaliths (Fig by Dr Richard Clutterbuck).
Fig 4. CL0017-00082 in relation to earlier and potentially contemporary archaeology. (Fig
courtesy of Dr Carleton Jones).
CL016-061002
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Archaeological background
Wedge tombs
Fig 5. Wedge tombs in Ireland.
The origin of wedge tombs
The origins of wedge tombs are poorly understood. In the past, explanations have oscillated
between the arrival of newcomers, either in substantial (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, de
Valera and Ó Nualláin 1982, ApSimon 1986, Shee Twohig 1990, ApSimon 1997) or small
numbers (Case 1969, 19, O'Brien 2012), and a purely indigenous development (Cooney and
Grogan 1994, 84, Flanagan 1998, 91-94, Waddell 2010, 109). O’Brien (2012) has recently
suggested that wedge tombs are best interpreted as having arisen from a combination of
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indigenous development and external influences. Those that argue for an external stimulus
normally point to northwestern France and the allées couvertes tombs, which they argue are
architecturally similar, share features such as occasional double walling and antechambers, and
occasionally face west (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1982,
ApSimon 1986, ApSimon 1997). These arguments normally postulate a point of arrival in the
peninsular southwest, because of the density of wedge tombs there and the region’s proximity
to France, but Shee Twohig (1990, 57) has also put forward the Shannon estuary as a likely
point of arrival. Those in favour of an indigenous origin, argue that the Breton allées couvertes
tombs are rectangular rather than wedge shaped and are not usually orientated to the west, and
that no supporting evidence has been found in the excavation of any the south-western wedge
tombs (Waddell 2010, 109). They look to court tombs as the source of inspiration for the wedge
tomb builders, point out shared features with those predominantly northern tombs, such as jamb
stones, and argue that the idea of the French connection has its roots in outdated culture-
historical models (Waddell 2010, 109). The idea of a French connection does arguably stem
from a time when culture-historical models were in the ascendancy, and when migration and
invasion were the favoured mechanism to explain cultural change. However, similar arguments
could be levelled against explanations with a purely insular origin; that they stem from a time
when processual and post-processual models focused so entirely on internal developments that
it was difficult to include any external impetus to considerations of cultural change (Kristiansen
and Larsson 2005, 5). A recent review and statistical modelling of the available dating suggests
the practice of building wedge tombs may have arrived relatively suddenly in both the north
and southwest (Schulting, Sheridan et al. 2008, 12), however, this does not necessarily support
an indigenous or immigrant origin. Currently, there is not enough dating evidence to say
whether the earlier wedge tombs are in the southwest, the Shannon basin, or the north. In the
absence of this, the arguments have had to rely on architectural similarities and differences.
Previous work on Roughan Hill
Roughan Hill has been the subject of several surveys and excavations, directed by Carleton
Jones (Jones, Walsh et al. 1996, Jones 1997, Jones 1998, Jones and Gilmer 1999, Jones 2000,
Jones 2003, Jones, Carey et al. 2011, Jones 2016) and the author of this report (Ó Maoldúin
2016). It is the site of an atypical court tomb, several unclassified megalithic structures, the
densest distribution of wedge tombs in the country, several prehistoric enclosures, a series of
prehistoric mound walls and several undated cairns (Fig 4).
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Jones’ excavations concentrated on the court-tomb, two of the farm enclosures and establishing
a chronology for the myriad of field-walls. The excavation of the farm enclosures produced
Beaker, Bowl and Vase tradition pottery (Jones, Walsh et al. 1996), suggesting that these
enclosures were in use during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, at the time the wedge
tombs are expected to date to. Also, and significantly for this project, the court tomb had very
late use dates (Schulting, Murphy et al. 2012). Although it was built at a time contemporary
with other court tombs, it continued to receive interments in an episodic but seemingly
continuous tradition up until as late as 2900/2700 cal BC. This late-use atypical-court tomb,
surrounded by the densest distribution of wedge tombs in the country (Fig 4), makes Roughan
Hill a particularly suitable place to investigate the potential relationships between the
builders/users of court tombs and wedge tombs.
Our excavation, last year (Ó Maoldúin 2016), focused on a wedge tomb with a very small
chamber (Fig 6). There were relatively few secure stratigraphical layers within the tomb. The
chamber was interfered with, when the capstone and the southern sidestone were removed at
some point in the past, and many bones had simply been placed in-between stones that could
have been prised up and replaced at any time in the past. Despite this the bone was well
preserved and we now have a much better understanding of the structure of the tomb.
The tomb chamber was the first element built. It was a small box like structure, approximately
2 m long, 1 m wide and, even with a capstone, can’t have been more than around 1.2 m high.
Despite this rather diminutive size, the orientation (WSW), carefully shaped and rising
sidestone, and the apparent widening to the tomb front all mark it out as a wedge tomb. There
was no sign of quarried surface in the area revealed around the tomb; therefore, it is possible
that the sidestones and capstone were sourced at the quarry, two fields (c.160 m) to the
southwest.
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Fig 6. Plan of the wedge tomb excavated during 2015 (Ó Maoldúin 2016).
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The cairn was added in two phases, but it is not possible to say whether these construction
phases occurred within a very short or over a very long timeframe. The relative date of a
skeleton found placed up against the outside of the chamber, to the remains inside the chamber,
may offer some insight; however, either could have been added long after either construction
phase.
Post excavation for 2015 is still ongoing. The osteological, zooarchaeological and lithic reports
are completed, but we are awaiting the results of the radiocarbon dating, aDNA analyses and
isotopes analyses.
The Burren has the densest distribution of wedge tombs in the country and the Roughan Hill
cluster is the densest cluster within that distribution. Prior to our project no wedge tomb in the
Burren, or Co. Clare for that matter, had been excavated. The only date from a wedge tomb in
the Burren, or County Clare is from cremated human remains hand-collected from Baur South
wedge tomb; this returned a date of c. 2033-1897 cal BC (Grant 2009), however, we cannot be
sure that this represents the initial use of this monument. The dating of these tombs is critical
to any re-evaluation of the broader evidence.
Records indicate that cremated bone has been hand collected from two wedge tombs on
Roughan Hill in the past. Carleton Jones recovered a small amount of unidentifiable pottery
and bone from CL69. Some other human phalanges and animal bone were deposited with the
NMI by NUI Galway and we are currently trying to determine which tomb they came from. It
is intended to try and date at least one element from each of these sets of remains as part of this
project.
CL016-061002
CL016-061002 is clearly marked on the 1st edition Ordinance Survey map (1837-1942), as one
of four ‘Cromlechs’ (Fig 7); however, O’Donovan’s does not appear to describe it in his letters,
unless it is the one he simply describes as ‘prostrate’ (20).
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Fig 7. 1st Edition OS map (1837-1942), with the location of CL016-061002 indicated.
Borlase visited what he called ‘the Leana group’ in the 1890s, but does not seem to have found
the Parknabinnia cluster that includes CL016-061002 (Borlase 1897, 75-78), and as Westropp
says, appears to have ‘written rather confusedly, and passed over several of the remains’ (1896-
1915 [2004], 101).
Uncharacteristically, there is a little confusion in Westropp’s publication. In 1898, he described
a tomb with the characteristics CL16-061002 as being the northeast of a group of 4 tombs.
Careful as ever, he corrected this in 1905 (1896-1915 [2004], 101) and clearly marks it as tomb
1 on his map (Fig 8). He described it as a tomb that ‘…must have been a very fine example.
The south side is 5 ft. 9 in. (at the west to 2 ft. 3 in. high, 15 ft. 10 in. long and 9 in. thick; a
long ‘plank’ of the tope slab leans against it, and the fallen north side has strangely regular
natural channels across it’. The collapsed northern side-stone does lie with its eroded-side face-
up. It is now badly broken, but is covered in runnels, a type of karstic karren further discussed
below.
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Fig 8. Westropp’s map of Roughan Hill.
CL016-061002 was next recorded by DeValera and Ó Nualláin during the Megalithic Survey,
in which it was labelled CL59 (de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961). It was photographed (Fig 9),
drawn (Fig 10) and described in detail in this work.
De Valera and Ó Nualláin described each stone element and what they called the ‘the low
indefinite remains of a mound’. It is evident from the photograph that the area was not so
overgrown in the 1950s/60s; a low stand of hazel is visible in the background but it did not
envelope the monument. Similarly, it would appear from their drawing and description that
there was some heaped earth surrounding the tomb, the badger upcast was not as extensive (see
pre-ex condition of the monument below). Indeed, they make no mention of badger disturbance
and it seems likely that the badgers only moved in after the monument was enveloped in hazel.
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Fig 9. Photo of Cl. 59 by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961, taken from the west.
Fig 10. Drawing of Cl 59 by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961.
Cutting CL016-061002 out of the hazel
The hazel surrounding CL016-061002 was cut back in February 2016, as part of a Burren
Conservation Volunteers (BCV) activity. The BCV are part of The Burren Trust
(https://burrenbeo.com/) a landscape charity dedicated to connecting all people in the Burren
to their place and role in caring for it. Before being cut out the tomb was entirely enveloped by
hazel scrub/forest (Fig 11).
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The pre-ex condition of the tomb
Once the hazel was cleared, it became apparent that CL016-061002 had suffered badly from
badger burrowing. Several set entrances could be seen within and surrounding the tomb.
Fig 11. Pre-excavation photo of the tomb showing a badger entrance under a fragment of
the capstone and mounds of badger up-cast around the tomb, taken from the west.
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Fig 12. Numbered tombs as recorded by de Valera and Ó Nualláin 1961 and additional
tombs (lettered) added by the Jones et al. survey 1996. The tomb excavated in 2015 is
marked in red and the tomb excavated in 2016 in green.
Project Aims
This project aims to investigate the ritual practices, origins, internal organisation, external
contacts and the environment of the Chalcolithic/EBA (Early Bronze Age) society that
inhabited Roughan Hill. A possible model was proposed in a paper by this author, our academic
director and Thor McVeigh (Jones et al. 2015), prior to beginning these excavations.
Aims of this excavation include:
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• ascertaining why there is such a relatively high density of wedge tombs on Roughan
Hill
• investigating the ritual use of a wedge tomb on Roughan Hill
• investigating the relationship between the builders of the Roughan Hill wedge tomb
society and the preceding Neolithic court tomb building society
• investigating the correlation between the variation in remains and the variation in
chamber size
Objectives of the excavation include:
• Comparing the material from this, a tomb with a large chamber, with those from last
year’s excavation of a tomb with a small chamber
• Constructing a site history of this individual monument
• Obtaining material suitable for absolute dating
• Obtaining human bone for osteological analysis, isotope analysis and DNA analysis
• Retrieving artefacts which might add to our knowledge of the Chalcolithic/EBA
society’s local exploitation of natural resources and the wider networks of exchange
the community on Roughan were involved in
• Obtaining soil samples suitable for flotation to add to our knowledge of the
contemporary environment and Chalcolithic/EBA society’s agricultural practices
• Exploring methods of 3 & 2D photogrammetry, time-lapse photography and other
innovative methods of excavation recording (see project strategy below)
Archaeological excavation
The excavation comprised one trench (Figs 13, 18 & 19). This was orientated in-line with the
tomb on a floating grid that was later tied into Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM), with a
differential GPS. The initial trench was 7 by 5 m, with its long axis on a roughly east west
orientation. This was extended to the south, west and north during the excavation. The entire
excavation eventually covered an area of 52m2.
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Fig 13. Orthophoto of the excavation after the removal of the topsoil.
Excavation methodology
Where sod was present it was by cut by spade, removed by hand and stacked neatly on plastic
adjacent the trench for later backfilling. All large and/or potentially structural stones were
individually numbered, recorded, and carefully returned to the same position and orientation
after the excavation.
To access the deposits in the chamber it was necessary to move some large fragments of the
collapsed capstone. Wooden rails were constructed, and a winch and rollers (fence posts) were
used (Fig 14c).
All deposits were dry sieved for artefacts through sieves of less than 1cm (1/4 inch sieves:
0.635cm). All archaeological fills were excavated by trowel. Finds were bagged and recorded
by context. 3D co-ordinates (local floating grid) of the location of all finds recovered during
excavation were taken with a total station. Soil samples were also retained for environmental
analysis (see ongoing post-excavation work below).
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All contexts were recorded on context sheets, and additional notes were taken in the director’s,
supervisor’s and other excavator’s notebooks. Plans and sections were drawn on pre-gridded
permatrace, using planning frames and off-sets, as appropriate, and photogrammetry was used
to create 3D and orthphotograph records of the site. A timelapse video of the excavation was
also recorded, some segments of which are available to view on our website
www.prehistoricfieldschool.ie.
Fig 14 a-d. Excavating and recording (a: commencing excavation, b: inside the chamber, c:
moving a large stone & d: our youngest excavator).
Results of the archaeological excavation
Extent excavated
A licence was obtained to excavate a 10 by 10 m area. Initially, an area 7 by 5m was opened.
This was extended three times, to the west, north and south. The overall area of the excavation
comprised 9 by 5 m, with a southern extension - 3 by 1.5m and a northern extension - 2.5 by 1
m (Fig 19). This included all of the chamber interior, however, some material under collapsed
cap-stone fragment C6 was not judged safe to access and was therefore left unexcavated (Fig
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15a). To the north of the chamber, the extent of the excavation did not encompass all the badger
up-cast. The excavated badger up-cast was rich in cremated bone and the remaining material
is likely to contain more (Fig 15b).
Fig 15 a-b. Unexcavated material with the potential for further remains (a: beneath and
adjacent cap-stone fragment C6 & b: remaining up-cast).
The southern extension was opened to reveal the extent of some possible cairn remnant (Fig
16a). The northern extension was opened to reveal the extent of the collapsed side-stone C5
and to excavate more of the badger up-cast (Fig 16b). The western extension was opened to
excavate the badger up-cast to the front of the tomb (Fig 16c), and examine more of that area,
where deposition accompanying ritual practice was thought most likely to occur.
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Fig 16 a-c. Extensions to the original trench (a: The southern extension, b: the northern
extension & c: the area to the west/front of the tomb prior to the western extension,
showing the badger up-cast).
Post glaciation colonisation of the site by plants and living soil.
The post glaciation soil formation processes on the Burren are relatively poorly understood.
We do not know how much of it was bare karst when the ice sheets retreated and how much
had a covering of boulder clay or another glacial till.
On most areas of Roughan Hill there is only a thin humic soil cover which when removed
exposes bare karst, such as on last year’s excavation (Ó Maoldúin 2016). The location of the
2016 excavation was chosen partly because of the likelihood of deeper deposits. The badger
tunnels, while indicative of disturbance, also indicated deeper soils. There were two natural
subsoils encountered, a light whitish grey silt containing rounded limestone pebbles (C39) and
a mid-orangey-brown non-calcareous clayey silt containing occasional reddish sandstone
pebbles (C27). The former is a glacial till found relatively commonly on the Burren and
encountered elsewhere by the this author (Ó Maoldúin and McCarthy 2016), however, the
second is unusual and could indicate a glacial deposit with an origin in the Sliabh Aughty
Mountains to the northwest. The question was put to several geologists attending the IQUA
fieldtrip to the Burren during Autumn 2017, but there was some disagreement as to the probable
origin. Where both subsoils occurred together the orange clayey silt was always on top (Fig
17). Samples of both subsoils were retained and will undergo further analysis to determine their
nature and origin.
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Fig 17. Photo of the core taken through the
natural, showing the orange clayey subsoil
above the light whitish grey silt.
The structure of the chamber
Several elements of the tomb chamber (C3) survived in-situ (Figs 18 & 19); the southern
sidestone (C4), pining stones to the south/exterior of the southern sidestone (C17), part of the
backstone (C20), part of the footing of the northern sidestone (C8) and pining stones to the
north/exterior of the northern sidestone (C16). The rear (east) of the chamber was significantly
deeper than the front and it may have sat in a cut, however, the extensive badger burrowing
activity (C29) made it difficult to be sure.
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Fig 18. Plan of the excavation post-initial removal of the topsoil.
Fig 19. Post excavation plan, showing areas left undisturbed.
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Fig 20. Site Matrix.
The southern sidestone (C4) was the only fully extant chamber element still standing. It is
broken in 3 parts of 2.5m, 1.7m and 0.5m length, a total of 4.7m, and rises from 0.5m above
the ground level at the rear (east) of the tomb, to 1.7m above the ground level at the front and
is c. 0.3m thick. There are signs of cobble percussion along its upper edge, that
flattened/straightened its surface. It was erected with its eroded surface facing toward the
interior of the tomb (Fig 21). This is richly textured surface with deep sinuous runnels1, that
1 A type of karren – erosion found on karst limestone.
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formed in a sub-soil environment (David Drew pers. Comm.). An online stone weight
calculator suggests that it weighs over 4 tonnes2.
Fig 21. Photo of the runnels on the interior side of the standing sidestone, taken from the
northwest.
The size of the sidestone marks this wedge tomb as one of the largest on Roughan Hill and the
incline is by far the most pronounced. However, it appears that the rear of the tomb collapsed
into badger burrowing (C29). Its rear/east end now sits on the backstone (C20 - further
described below), a stone that may have further fractured from this pressure. The best way to
estimate the amount the sidestone collapsed is through observation of the line its upper edge
(Fig 22); this suggests it may have fallen by as much as 0.35m. This accentuated the incline,
however, it is still notably steeper than most of the other tombs on Roughan.
2 (http://www.amlinkmarble.com/weigtcalculator/weightcalculator.htm @ 4.7m by 1.2m by 0.3m it weighs just
under 4300 Kgs)
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Fig 22. Photo of the crew estimating the amount the rear of the tomb may have sunk into
badger burrowing, taken from the north.
The southern sidestone (C4) was pinned in place from the exterior by a series of limestone
slabs (C17) set on edge (Fig 13). These were an average of 0.26m thick and ran along the full
length of the sidestone (c.4.7m); some were partially shoved into a gryke. There was no
substantial support from the interior side, apart from the other elements of the tomb.
The northern sidestone appears to have been shorter in length, perhaps a total of 4m. The
footing of its rear or eastern end (C8) survived in-situ (Fig 23), while its front or western end
(C5) lay recumbent, with its inner eroded side face up (described further below). The remaining
in-situ footing (C8) was broken in 3 parts; combined these measured 1.4m long, 0.56m high
(max) and 0.18m thick. The upper half of the inner façade (facing south to the interior of the
tomb) was badly fractured, suggesting a sudden powerful break, presumably when this side of
the tomb collapsed. The eroded surface on the lower half faced inward to the interior of the
tomb. Judging from its depth, C8 appears to have been sat into a cut, but this was no longer
discernible because of the extensive badger disturbance (C29). A sub aerially eroded boulder
(C16) pinned it into place. It, C16, was 0.8m long, 0.46m wide and 0.42m high, and placed
with its flat underside against the exterior just at the rear of the northern sidestone (C8).
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Fig 23. Photo of the in-situ part of the northern sidestone (C8), taken from the south.
The backstone (C20) was also badly fractured and missing its upper portion (Fig 24). The rear
end of the standing sidestone, C4, is out of place and now rests on the southern edge of the
backstone. The remaining portion of the backstone is split in four parts, which combined
measure 1.4m long, 0.22m thick and 0.45m high. Its eroded surface faces westward, toward
the interior of the tomb.
Fig 24. Photo of the backstone (C8), taken from the east.
Several slabs (C19) at the rear of the tomb may indicate a roughly paved surface. Two
particularly large ones (0.8m long, 0.45m wide and 0.18m thick; 0.62m long, 0.53m wide and
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0.17m thick) certainly appeared placed. These were undermined by extensive badger
disturbance, collectively assigned cut C29 and fills C28 and C30.
The front of the northern sidestone (C5) lay recumbent with its inner face upward. It had fallen
outward and its footing had popped upward. Its original position can be discerned from a
combination of where it fell and the line of the remaining in-situ portion (C8). It was not moved
during the excavation. It is split into numerous pieces on its eastern end, but remains relatively
intact on its western end. It is 2.18m long (east-west), 1.58 high and c. 0.2m thick. Like the
southern sidestone, its inner surface is richly textured with deep sinuous runnels, that formed
in a sub-soil environment. Its front edge was obviously pecked, and its flat upper edge bore
marks of cobble percussion.
The capstone on the front/west end to the tomb is split in 2 parts (C6 and C7). C6 is almost
upright leaning against the northern side of the standing orthostat. Its eroded side would have
faced upward. It measures 1.7m long, 1.5m wide and c.0.2m thick. There is no sign of dressing.
The edge which sits on the ground is a relatively recent break and matches the northern edge
of C7. C7 lay recumbent on floor of the tomb, leaning against the foot of C6 with its flat
uneroded side facing upward. It measures 1.65m long, 1.35m wide and c.0.22m thick. When
complete the front capstone would have been 2.05m long.
There were several broken slabs in the tomb (C11, 9, 10, 26 & 32) that could either be parts of
the northern sidestone or capstones (Fig 18).
C11 lay flat with its smooth side up and is most likely a part of the northern sidestone (C8 &
C5), from its eastern end (Fig 18). It was 1.15m long, 0.85m wide and 0.21m thick.
C9 and C10 both were both stood on edge, leaning against the southern sidestone (C4). They
are most likely parts of collapsed capstones. C9 was 1.2m long, 1.04m wide and c. 0.2m thick.
Its lower end sat on the remains of the backstone, C20, and its fall into that position may have
been responsible for damaging it. C10 was 1.1m long, 0.8m wide and c.0.2m thick. Another
slab, C26, lying recumbent, to the west of C10, appears from its shape and erosional patterns
to have originally been part of the same slab. C26 was 0.8m long, 0.75m wide and 0.1m thick.
Three stone slabs (C32) were found lying recumbent within the chamber under the collapsed
roof slab C6. The largest of these was 0.9m long, 0.5m wide and 0.25m thick. These could be
either fragments of the northern sidestone or collapsed capstones.
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As mentioned before, the interior of the tomb was badly disturbed by badgers. Set entrances
were located at the front of the tomb, adjacent the standing sidestone (C4), to the west and east
of the recumbent capstone fragment (C7), to the east of the recumbent part of the northern
sidestone (C5) and to the rear/east of the tomb, and excavation in the centre of the chamber
showed that the burrowing went beneath the level at which the tomb floor would have existed
(Fig 25). The material found at this level (C36) contained fresh leaves, hazel nuts and other
detritus brought in by burrowing animals. Its removal revealed the lower of the two natural
deposits (C39).
Fig 25. Photo of Dr Ger Dowling revealing a surface beneath the original floor of the tomb
on which leaves and other detritus brought in by burrowing animals were found, taken
from the north.
Despite the extensive disturbance, a substantial amount of bone was found within the confines
of the tomb, some of which may have been in-situ. In the front portion of the tomb, beneath
the recumbent capstone fragment C7 a sequence of 4 fills were uncovered. The lowermost,
C37, was a mid-brown topsoil-like silty clay at least some of which may have fallen down
between the overlying stones. It was only partially exposed, as it extended under the collapsed
northern sidestone C5 which was not moved. Its exposed extent measured 0.88m north-south
and 0.52m east-west and was a maximum of 0.05m deep, from which an animal tooth, a human
tooth and some burnt bone were retrieved. These finds may represent some of the earliest
deposits in the chamber, but could also have fallen from above and cannot be considered secure.
C37 was overlain by a layer of 8 angular stones (C35), from 0.15m to 0.4m in length, that
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combined covered an area 0.8m north-south and 0.5m east-west. This was covered by dark
brown silty clay (C34), c.0.6m east-west and 0.5m north-south, that only occurred in patches
where trapped between the underlying (C35) and overlying (C31) stones. A cluster of burnt
bone fragments were found within this layer, trapped between stones, in a relatively secure
position. The overlying stone layer (C31) comprised angular to sub-angular stones from 0.2m
to 0.35m in length and extended across an area c.1.5m east-west and 0.9m north-south. A flake
from a highly-polished cobble (F79) and some burnt bone were retrieved from this layer (Fig
26). The cobble and some of the larger fragments of burnt bone were wedged upright between
stones, so must have been placed in at the same time or later than the stone layer (C31). This
was covered by patches of topsoil (C1) and upcast badger material (C2).
Fig 26. Photo of the cobble flake (C79) in-situ, taken from the south.
Another relatively well preserved sequence of layers, C42, C41 and C40, covering an area of
c. 0.6m north-south and 0.8m east west, survived beneath the other collapsed capstone fragment
(C6) and abutting the interior side of the standing sidestone (C4). This was in a rather
precarious position and for health and safety reasons was only partially excavated (Fig 27). The
basal layer, C42, was c. 0.15m deep and comprised a mixture of small sharp angular fragments
of limestone c. 40 – 60 mm in length and several larger fragments up to 0.2m in length. Some
of these may derive from the in-situ dressing of the sidestone. Some fragments of charcoal
were found under C42 on the surface of the natural subsoil, however, there were several voids
and it is possible that it could have filtered down from above. Overlying this was a c. 0.05m
deep dark blackish brown silty clay (C41) containing several unburnt human molars and
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fragments of cremated bone. This was in turn overlain by a layer of rounded sub angular stones
up to 0.3m in length. A large flat slab, C15, 0.65m long, 0.45m wide and 0.25m thick was sat
on/against the front of these layers, protecting them from the elements. C42, C41 and C40, are
likely the same as C35, C34 and C31, however, they were no longer physically connected
because of badger disturbance. C15 also overlay C31 and C21, one of the slab layers to the
front of the tomb.
Fig 27. Photo of the unexcavated material left between C6 and C4, taken from the west.
There were two noticeably differently eroded boulders to the front of the tomb (Fig 28). One
was an angular boulder covered in deep fissures and the other was rounded with very rough
surfaces; both appear to be sub-aerially eroded boulders. The angular boulder (14a) was 1m
long 0.65m wide and 0.5m high. The rounded boulder (14b) was 0.9m long, 0.5m wide and
0.45m high. These are probably erratic boulders gathered from the landscape, rather than
quarried like most other elements of the tomb. They may have served as blocking or sill stones,
and, although in a slightly different position, it is interesting to note that a small sub-aerially
eroded boulder was also found to the front of the tomb excavated in 2015 (Ó Maoldúin 2016).
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Fig 28. Photo of the sub-aerially eroded boulders C14a & b, to the front/west of the tomb,
taken from the west.
C14a and b sat adjacent one another and, while it is not possible to stratigraphically connect
them, it is likely that they were placed there contemporaneously. C14a overlay stone layer C35,
but was abutted by C31. C14b overlay C24 and sat against C13. It was not possible to tell
whether C14b was earlier or later than C13.
There was a spread of slabs and loose rocks (C12, C18, C19 & C21) surrounding the tomb.
These were not substantial enough to be considered a cairn and in places, most obviously to
the front and rear of the tomb, appear to have formed roughly paved areas.
To the front of the tomb there was at least two phases of slab surfaces, separated by a topsoil-
like deposit (C24) and a spread of stone (C13). The earlier slab-surface, C21 was sat directly
on the natural surface, however, when flipped over revealed modern rodent nest material,
including leaves and fresh hazelnut shells (C23). The slabs ranged from about 0.25m to 0.6m
in length and were c.0.06m to 0.1m thick. They were spread over an area c. 1.4m north south
and 1m east west. The topsoil-like layer (C24) above C21 extended throughout the western end
of the trench and varied from only 0.01m to 0.03m in depth. It contained a flake from a large
ground stone artefact (F78) and occasional pieces of human (cremated and unburnt) bone, and
animal bone. This was overlain by C13 a layer of sub-angular limestone stones, ranging from
0.12 to 0.35m in length, contained within a topsoil like matrix. It was spread throughout the
north-south extent of the cutting (5m), for about 2m beyond the front (western side) of the tomb
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and was a maximum of 0.45m deep, in the northwest of the cutting. The upper slab layer C12
overlay C13. It comprised three large slabs to the front, or west, of the standing sidestone. A
horse mandible was found extending underneath the southernmost of those slabs (Fig 29). This
was identified as the mandible of an old adult horse of 16 years or over at the time of its death
(Appendix 5). This was subsequently radiocarbon dated and returned a 2 Sigma calibrated date
of 1450 – 1640 AD. C12 was overlain by topsoil (C1) and badger upcast (C2).
Fig 29. Photo of the horse mandible in situ, taken from the east.
On the southern exterior of the tomb, south of C4, there was a scatter of detached slabs and a
split boulder (C18). Many of the slabs were simply remnants of the karstic surface eroded and
detached, however, some particularly toward the western end may have been heaped in place
to give further support to the southern sidestone. The large boulder appears to have split in
place by weathering and hazel root action. In several places, there was soil (C25) underlying
the slabs (C18) and a deep badger burrow orientated east-west traversed the area. No human
bone was found in this area; the standing side-stone probably inhibited the badgers throwing
upcast from the direction of the tomb chamber.
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Discussion
CL016-061002 was very badly disturbed by badgers. Most the remains retrieved during the
excavation came from badger upcast surrounding the tomb. Nonetheless, we now have a much
better understanding of the original structure and the remains we retrieved will provide us with
sufficient osteological, isotopic and aDNA information to progress our research project.
The overall chamber appears to have been 4.7m long, 1.4m wide at the back, approximately
2m wide3 at the front, 1.1m high at the rear and 1.95m high at the front4. It is one of the largest
wedge tombs on Roughan Hill. It was orientated southwest and had a very pronounced pitch.
Both sidestones and the backstone were placed with their eroded sides pointing into the interior
of the tomb. This is a pattern noted during the 2015 excavation (Ó Maoldúin 2016) and appears
to be consistent on all wedge tombs on Roughan Hill and most of those in the Burren. It is also
the opposite of the arrangement at most Neolithic tombs on the Burren. This may be a form of
‘ritual inversion’, a concept that will be expanded upon in the final report and a forthcoming
paper (for other examples of ritual inversion in the Irish Bronze Age see (Waddell 2014, 73-
81).
Cremated and unburnt human remains were deposited within the tomb and initial inspection of
the assemblage suggests that both biological sexes and all ages are represented.
There were relatively few artefacts found during the excavation. Most of the lithics retrieved
are likely to represent background residual material, from before the tomb was built, or debris,
from people partaking in daily tasks near the tomb after its construction. Only F79, a polished
cobble flake, was a definitively placed grave good. This will be examined under a high-
powered microscope to determine whether the polish is consistent with human action. One
other flake from a ground and polished artefact, C78, was found out to the front of the tomb.
This could have been a grave good displaced by badger burrowing. Both artefacts appear to
have been very deliberately and violently destroyed, perhaps in a form of ‘ritual object killing’
(eg. Grinsell 1961).
3 The front capstone was only 2.05m long 4 The projected height of the rear of the tomb, 1.1m, is a sum of the current height of 0.5m, the estimated collapse
0.35m and an estimated capstone thickness of 0.25m. The height at the front is the sum of the current height 1.7m
and an estimated capstone thickness of 0.25m.
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Post-excavation work is ongoing. Osteological, zooarchaeological and lithic reports are
currently being prepared. Once these are completed a selection of bone will be chosen for
radiocarbon dating, aDNA and isotopes analyses and the final report will be compiled once
these are completed.
It is envisaged that final publication will take the form of a monograph, including the results
of the excavation of the three tombs, excavated during 2015, 2016 and 2017. It is intended to
write this up during spring of 2018.
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Appendix 1 List of contexts
Context Description
1 Topsoil
2 Badger upcast
3 Group number for standing structural elements of the tomb - includes C4, 8 & 20
4 In-situ southern side stone
5 Ex-situ northern side stone
6 Ex-situ tomb slab
7 Ex-situ tomb slab
8 In-situ footing of East end of the northern side stone
9 Ex-situ tomb slab
10 Ex-situ tomb slab
11 Ex-situ tomb slabs - line of - includes C32
12 Arrangement of slabs in front (West) of the tomb
13 Stone spread to the front (West) of the tomb
14 Two sub-aerially eroded boulders to the front (W) of the tomb
15 Rounded stone in the tomb entrance
16 Sub-aerially eroded boulder pinning C8
17 Pinning stones along the south edge of C4
18 Loose stone in the southeast corner of the trench
19 Loose slabs in the northeast corner of the trench
20 Back stone of the tomb chamber
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21 Layer of small slabs under C13 & C15
22 Void
23 Layer of topsoil-like material under C12
24 Topsoil-like material under C13
25 Topsoil-like material under C18
26 Ex-situ tomb slab
27
Natural subsoil - Mid orangey brown non-calcareous clayey silt containing occasional
sandstone pebbles
28
Loosely compacted dark brown silty clay in collapsed tunnel at the rear of the tomb -
badger disturbance
29 Cut of badger disturbance to the rear of the tomb
30
Loosely compacted mid-orangey brown clayey silt to the rear of the tomb - badger
disturbance
31 Spread of stones (of c.0.2-0.3m average length) inside the front of the tomb chamber
32
Linear arrangement of flat stone slabs within the tomb chamber (largest stone: 0.9 by
0.5 by 0.25m)
33 Void - Same as C14
34 Dark brown silty clay. Under C33 and above C31
35 Deposit of stone in the front of the tomb chamber. Under C34
36
Deposit of mid-greyish brown clayey silt containing small sub-angular pebbles in the
tomb chamber
37 Topsoil-like deposit beneath C35 in the centre (front) of the tomb
38 Void
39 Light whitish grey gritty silt containing limestone pebbles - natural subsoil
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40 Deposit of angular stones against the inside of the southern sidestone
41 Dark blackish brown silty clay against the inside of the southern sidestone, under C40
42 Deposit of angular stones against the inside of the southern sidestone, under C41
Appendix 2 List of finds
All of the finds retrieved during the excavation are listed below. These include pieces of
unworked quartz, which were retained and recorded in recognition of the oft quoted association
between quartz and prehistoric burials. However, there did not appear to be a significant
amount of quartz and these have now been discarded. Similarly, several stones initially
retained as potential lithics have now been discarded. All discarded finds are marked in red.
Those marked in green have been forwarded to our lithics specialist – Dr Killian Driscoll – for
analyses. The quartz crystal, two ground/polished artefacts (F78 &79) and granite stone (F102)
are being analysed separately by the site director. The possible pottery crumb (F84) and shells
will be forwarded to relevant specialists for definitive identification.
Find Number Description Material Context E N RL
1 chert flake chert C001 93.750 101.845 119.805
2 chert flake chert C001 94.930 102.315 119.909
3 chert chip chert C001 93.220 101.764 119.764
4 quartz unworked quartz C001 95.009 101.843 119.901
5 possible worked chert chert C001 97.255 102.704 119.738
6 possible chert core core C001 94.662 102.389 119.854
7 chert chip chert C001 95.096 101.974 119.828
8 possible chert flake chert C001 95.000 102.904 119.757
9 possibly worked chert chert C001 94.924 102.680 119.759
10 chert debitage chert C001 95.804 100.709 119.666
11 quartz quartz C001 93.817 102.951 119.753
12 chert chip chert C001 97.005 100.957 119.783
13 chert chip chert C001 96.463 104.103 119.785
14 quartz quartz C001 96.463 104.103 119.785
15 possible worked chert chert C001 96.758 103.967 119.852
16 flake - white chert chert C001 97.338 100.704 119.791
17 quartz quartz C001 93.579 104.431 119.814
18 quartz quartz C001 93.489 104.094 119.776
19 possible chert flake chert C001 94.306 102.518 119.733
20 Unworked quartz quartz C001 97.051 104.076 119.806
21 Unworked quartz quartz C001 99.585 104.530 119.787
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22 chert debitage chert C001 97.874 103.027 119.754
23 chert debitage chert C001 94.899 100.557 119.644
24 limestone flakes limestone C001 93.923 102.386 119.719
25 chert - possible pressure flake chert C001 93.738 101.929 119.721
26 chert flake chert C001 93.602 102.046 119.720
27 quartz quartz C001 97.821 103.133 119.650
28 chert - possible core chert C001 94.291 103.850 119.850
29 chert flake chert C001 93.664 103.9 119.689
30 chert flake chert C001 93.718 104.255 119.653
31 chert debitage chert C001 93.118 101.662 119.695
32 chert debitage chert C001 93.751 104.721 119.678
33 quartz quartz C001 97.027 102.565 119.549
34 sea shell shell C001 97.182 104.786 119.806
35 unworked quartz quartz C001 93.53 102.859 119.707
36 chert debitage chert C001 94.357 103.987 119.617
37 chert flake chert C001 98.298 104.09 119.691
38 coarse stone flake - sandstone sandstone C001 93.68 101.724 119.588
39 chert flake chert C001 93.68 101.724 119.588
40 chert flake chert C001 93.762 103.571 119.697
41 Unworked quartz quartz C001 97.453 103.927 119.828
42 chert flake chert C001 96.465 101.149 119.615
43 Unworked quartz quartz C001 93.509 103.395 119.603
44 possible chert flake chert C001 93.09 103.021 119.627
45 chert flake chert C001 93.62 104.483 119.569
46 quartz crystal quartz C001 93.355 100.107 119.369
47 Unworked quartz pebbles quartz C001 96.898 102.77 119.758
48 chert flake chert C001 93.942 104.698 119.54
49 shale fragments shale C001 93.939 103.872 119.537
50 Unworked quartz pebble quartz C001 97.039 104.826 119.108
51 chert flake chert C001 96.951 104.209 119.38
52 chert chert C001 96.825 103.653 119.522
53 Void void void void void void
54 chert debitage chert C001 95.518 100.826 119.566
55 chert flake chert C001 94.321 104.171 119.516
56 quartz quartz C001 97.254 104.582 119.452
57 quartz quartz C001 98.248 104.74 119.531
58 chert debitage chert C001 96.211 100.88 119.616
59 possible chert flake chert C001 93.181 102.854 119.484
60 possible flint or chert debitage chert C001 97.404 104.52 119.494
61 possible burnt lithic chert or flint chert C001 93.600 101.500 119.419
62 chert flake chert C001 97.600 103.100 119.459
63 chert debitage chert C001 97.500 104.350 119.220
64 possible chert flake chert C001 93.650 104.250 119.393
65 chert flake chert C001 99.100 104.300 119.499
66 quartz quartz C001 97.850 103.400 119.659
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67 shell - oyster shell C001 97.750 103.060 119.477
68 quartz quartz C001 97.712 103.460 119.447
69 chert flake chert C001 93.970 104.530 119.477
70 chert flake chert C001 95.035 105.406 119.630
71 quartz pebble quartz C001 94.708 105.137 119.619
72 quartz pebble quartz C001 95.506 105.811 119.660
73 quartz pebble quartz C001 96.339 105.681 119.609
74 Chert flake Chert C001 96.339 105.681 119.609
75 Quartz quartz C001 95.361 105.937 119.59
76 Quartz pebble quartz C001 96.945 104.997 119.498
77 Chert flake chert C001 95 104 119.2
78 Flake from polishes/ground artefact (axe?) quartzite C024 94.231 101.583 119.52
79 Flake from highly pollished cobble quartzite C031 95.504 103.321 119.259
80 Quartz quartz C001 92.768 101.27 119.551
81 Quartz pebble quartz C028 99.338 102.501 119.584
82 chert flake chert C001 97.259 102.478 119.22
83 Quartz quartz C001 96.889 102.437 119.359
84 Burnt clay (pottery fragment?) pottery? C028 99.301 102.486 119.565
85 Quartz quartz C024 92.607 102.347 119.498
86 Quartz quartz C001 96.791 102.509 119.253
87 Chert (core?) chert C001 91.956 103.586 119.333
88 chert flake chert C030 99.102 104.287 119.056
89 chert flake chert C001 91.807 103.139 119.297
90 Quartz quartz C001 91.952 101.175 119.451
91 Chert flake chert C001 91.952 104.665 119.152
92 Chert flake chert C001 92.815 104.231 119.224
93 Chert flake chert C024 93.179 102.41 119.376
94 chert flake (refits with 104) chert C024 93.391 102.659 119.42
95 quartz quartz C036 96.893 103.593 118.912
96 chert flake chert C024 93.102 102.773 119.369
97 Chert core chert C024 93.41 103.723 119.306
98 chert flake chert C024 92.736 103.458 119.308
99 quartz pebble quartz C024 92.715 103.472 119.308
100 chert flake chert C024 92.011 101.896 119.24
101 Chert flake chert C024 92.537 102.701 119.305
102 Granite stone (possibly one slightly ground surface) Granite C001 91.726 104.913 119.055
103 chert flake chert C024 93.41 103.723 119.306
104 Chert flake chert C024 93.41 103.723 119.306
Appendix 3 Bone list
B# Material Type Description Context E N RL
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1
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.459 102.455 119.453
2 Burnt Bone
C001 96.201 103.919 119.871
3 Burnt Bone
C001 97.453 102.739 119.781
4 Burnt Bone
C001 96.281 103.991 119.881
5
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.765 103.119 119.970
6
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 94.252 101.102 119.779
7
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.455 100.947 119.811
8
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 99.148 103.497 119.910
9 Burnt Bone
C001 94.765 103.119 119.970
10
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 96.622 103.414 119.681
11 Burnt Bone
C001 93.540 100.541 119.700
12
Unburnt
Bone Animal Antler C001 94.227 102.372 119.805
13 Burnt Bone
C001 93.948 101.955 119.788
14 Burnt Bone
C001 94.298 103.192 119.875
15
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.040 102.877 119.813
16 Burnt Bone
C001 96.627 104.460 120.019
17 Burnt Bone
C001 96.627 104.460 120.019
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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44
18 Burnt Bone
C001 96.627 104.460 120.019
19 Void void void void void void void
20 Burnt Bone
C001 93.535 100.841 119.700
21
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001
22 Burnt Bone
C001 96.642 104.108 119.943
23 Burnt Bone
C001 93.710 100.180 119.723
24
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.095 104.526 119.892
25 Burnt Bone
C001 96.625 104.131 119.881
26 Burnt Bone
C001 95.371 100.802 119.620
27
Unburnt
Bone
C001 95.371 102.037 119.792
28
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.202 101.991 119.832
29 Burnt Bone
C001 93.319 100.802 119.620
30
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 94.204 102.627 119.824
31 Burnt Bone
C001 93.890 100.086 119.711
32 Burnt Bone
C001 96.750 104.496 119.953
33
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 99.389 103.684 119.759
34
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.023 102.810 119.709
35 Burnt Bone
C001 0.000 0.000 0.000
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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45
36
Unburnt
Bone
C001 95.215 101.956 119.694
37
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.626 104.241 119.822
38 Burnt Bone
C001 96.538 104.599 119.920
39 Burnt Bone
C001 94.221 103.060 119.728
40 Burnt Bone
C001 96.645 103.461 119.698
41 Burnt Bone
C001 94.366 101.260 119.791
42 Burnt Bone
C001 95.069 101.934 119.703
43
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.697 103.999 119.777
44 Burnt Bone
C001 96.734 103.898 119.832
45 Burnt Bone
C001 94.606 100.934 119.807
46 Burnt Bone
C001 95.147 101.980 119.630
47 Burnt Bone
C001 98.865 103.726 119.789
48
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 94.438 101.062 119.780
49
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.202 102.659 119.733
50 Burnt Bone
C001 94.153 102.153 119.711
51 Burnt Bone
C001 94.561 102.489 119.632
52 Burnt Bone
C001 94.562 100.969 119.770
53 Burnt Bone
C001 94.608 102.692 119.718
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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46
54
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.470 103.056 119.749
55 Burnt Bone
C001 94.889 103.822 103.822
56 Burnt Bone
C001 97.568 103.899 119.854
57 Burnt Bone
C001 94.273 102.006 119.721
58
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.433 103.555 119.744
59 Burnt Bone
C001 94.419 101.058 119.705
60 Burnt Bone
C001 94.396 101.791 119.684
61
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.343 102.283 119.737
62
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.316 103.753 119.720
63
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.243 101.658 119.747
64
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.206 102.492 119.709
65 Burnt Bone
C001 97.874 103.027 119.754
66
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.872 102.115 119.734
67 Burnt Bone
C001 94.408 100.226 119.664
68 Burnt Bone
C001 95.693 104.819 119.777
69
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth? C001 94.647 102.561 119.579
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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47
70
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.605 101.882 119.726
71 Burnt Bone
C001 94.958 100.252 119.690
72 Burnt Bone
C001 93.789 100.268 119.638
73 Burnt Bone
C001 94.178 100.960 119.667
74
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 95.611 104.936 119.741
75 Burnt Bone
C001 97.876 103.101 119.670
76
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 97.963 102.878 119.703
77
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.068 101.730 119.562
78
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.011 100.971 119.691
79 Burnt Bone
C001 95.521 104.877 119.676
80 Burnt Bone
C001 93.613 102.262 119.665
81
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.826 101.768 119.661
82
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.884 101.753 119.589
83 Burnt Bone
C001 93.693 101.736 119.663
84
Unburnt
Bone Animal Horse Mandible C023 94.159 100.909 119.647
85 Burnt Bone
C001 94.288 102.078 119.614
86 Burnt Bone
C001 96.677 103.739 119.792
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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48
87 Burnt Bone
C001 99.263 104.175 119.747
88 Burnt Bone
C001 95.651 104.860 119.668
89 Burnt Bone
C001 96.460 104.192 119.693
90
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.412 101.933 119.611
91 Burnt Bone
C001 94.340 101.914 119.597
92
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.188 102.314 119.633
93
Unburnt
Bone Animal Mandible C001 94.725 103.817 119.660
94
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.218 104.665 119.693
95
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 93.275 100.922 119.557
96
Unburnt
Bone Animal Animal Rib C001 96.502 104.402 119.713
97
Unburnt
Bone Animal Probable Piglet C001 93.287 101.772 119.635
98 Burnt Bone
C001 97.216 104.525 119.811
99
Unburnt
Bone
C001 99.023 104.654 119.639
100
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.458 101.678 119.653
101
Unburnt
Bone
C001 98.924 104.499 119.690
102 Burnt Bone
C001 93.065 101.515 119.649
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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49
103
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.011 104.522 119.810
104
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.481 104.313 119.661
105
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.365 101.655 119.622
106 Burnt Bone
C001 93.155 101.472 119.609
107 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C001 93.344 102.170 119.606
108 Burnt Bone
C001 97.075 102.921 119.627
109 Burnt Bone
C001 93.553 103.998 119.577
110
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.724 102.454 119.638
111
Unburnt
Bone Animal Animal Vertabrae C001 93.065 100.460 119.515
112 Burnt Bone
C001 94.261 104.008 119.607
113 Burnt Bone
C001 97.363 102.831 119.579
114 Burnt Bone
C001 95.290 100.349 119.663
115 Burnt Bone
C001 93.283 103.624 119.613
116 Burnt Bone
C001 96.965 103.172 119.687
117
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 93.289 104.037 119.588
118
Unburnt
Bone
Bone C001 93.403 101.526 119.466
119 Burnt Bone
C001 96.826 103.144 119.586
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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50
120
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.498 103.313 119.651
121
Unburnt
Bone Animal Bone C001 93.225 102.985 119.626
122
Unburnt
Bone Animal Carnivore tooth C001 97.274 104.756 119.720
123 Burnt Bone
C001 93.402 103.624 119.549
124
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 96.849 103.768 119.563
125 Burnt Bone
C001 93.756 102.728 119.578
126
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.273 102.848 119.551
127 Burnt Bone
C001 93.512 102.828 119.570
128
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 96.899 102.472 119.411
129 Burnt Bone
C001 96.663 104.257 119.486
130
Unburnt
Bone
Bone C001 93.403 102.824 119.556
131 Burnt Bone
C001 93.581 103.729 119.492
132
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.170 103.816 119.455
133
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.138 102.565 119.387
134 Burnt Bone
C001 97.065 102.898 119.461
135
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.501 101.620 119.483
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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51
136
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 93.161 101.685 119.456
137 Burnt Bone
C001 93.689 103.223 119.423
138
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.730 104.485 119.489
139 Burnt Bone
C001 93.750 104.389 119.499
140
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 98.104 104.177 119.656
141
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 96.924 104.018 119.429
142
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 99.150 101.273 119.746
143
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 93.725 102.086 119.474
144
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.369 103.255 119.507
145 Burnt Bone
C001 93.535 104.632 119.468
146
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.543 104.634 119.469
147 Burnt Bone
C001 93.417 104.633 119.334
148 Burnt Bone
C001 93.264 103.533 119.492
149 Burnt Bone
Skull Fragment C001 94.459 102.852 119.388
150
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 98.918 101.461 119.754
151 Burnt Bone
C001 94.486 102.860 119.365
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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52
152 Burnt Bone
C001 94.445 102.926 119.363
153 Burnt Bone Human Tooth C001 94.473 102.785 119.407
154
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.301 104.166 119.516
155 Burnt Bone
C001 93.155 102.834 119.536
156
Unburnt
Bone
C001 98.661 104.382 119.653
157
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 93.330 102.803 119.505
158 Burnt Bone
Bone C001 93.340 102.804 1190505.000
159
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 99.121 104.669 119.618
160 Burnt Bone
C001 96.953 103.826 119.484
161 Burnt Bone
C001 94.048 104.290 119.564
162 Burnt Bone
C001 93.193 103.068 119.456
163
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.172 103.472 119.569
164 Burnt Bone
C001 93.323 103.077 119.394
165 Burnt Bone
C001 97.061 103.675 119.388
166 Burnt Bone
C001 94.053 104.632 119.507
167 Burnt Bone
C001 97.212 104.118 119.449
168 Burnt Bone
C001 93.363 103.335 119.375
169 Burnt Bone
C001 93.218 101.885 119.414
170 Burnt Bone
C001 98.912 104.381 119.643
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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53
171 Burnt Bone
C001 94.338 104.669 119.490
172
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.031 103.054 119.571
173 Burnt Bone
C001 93.969 104.581 119.480
174 Burnt Bone
C001 97.261 104.054 119.643
175 Burnt Bone
C001 94.931 102.951 119.548
176
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.105 104.374 119.489
177
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebrae C001 97.480 104.493 119.634
178 Burnt Bone
C001 93.789 104.276 119.498
179 Burnt Bone
C001 97.059 102.554 119.369
180 Burnt Bone
C001 98.685 104.471 119.553
181
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.187 103.823 119.493
182 Burnt Bone
C001 94.354 102.493 119.509
183 Burnt Bone
C001 93.359 104.095 119.427
184 Burnt Bone
C001 93.246 104.093 119.425
185
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.246 104.093 119.425
186
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.400 102.400 119.484
187 Burnt Bone
C001 98.200 104.500 119.534
188 Burnt Bone
C001 91.800 97.400 119.493
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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54
189
Unburnt
Bone
C001 98.400 104.400 119.519
190 Burnt Bone
C001 93.750 104.400 119.489
191
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 93.750 104.400 119.489
192
Unburnt
Bone Petrous Human petrous C001 98.400 104.500 119.493
193 Burnt Bone
C001 97.000 103.200 119.461
194
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebrae C001 97.000 103.200 119.461
195 Burnt Bone
C001 93.300 104.300 119.395
196 Burnt Bone
C001 98.800 104.400 119.664
197 Burnt Bone
C001 94.150 104.650 119.431
198
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 94.250 103.000 119.643
199
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 98.250 104.400 119.545
200 Burnt Bone
Rib C001 93.800 102.400 119.553
201
Unburnt
Bone
Rib - found on spoil
heap C001 0.000 0.000 0.000
202 Burnt Bone
C001 97.400 103.100 119.492
203
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.400 103.100 119.492
204
Unburnt
Bone
C001 93.150 102.450 119.434
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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55
205
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.500 103.500 119.569
206 Burnt Bone
C001 94.200 104.650 119.382
207
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 94.200 104.650 119.514
208
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.200 104.650 119.514
209 Burnt Bone
C001 97.550 104.050 119.633
210
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.550 104.050 119.633
211
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.600 103.100 119.459
212
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 97.500 104.500 119.442
213
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 97.500 104.350 119.220
214 Burnt Bone
C001 97.500 104.350 119.220
215
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 99.500 103.500 119.633
216
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.500 104.350 119.220
217
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.900 103.200 119.489
218 Burnt Bone
C001 97.600 103.800 119.439
219 Burnt Bone
C001 93.200 104.500 119.555
220 Burnt Bone
C001 97.600 103.100 119.475
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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56
221 Burnt Bone Animal Vertebrae C001 97.600 103.100 119.475
222 Burnt Bone
C001 97.500 103.700 119.536
223 Burnt Bone
C001 97.712 103.460 119.447
224 Burnt Bone
C001 93.400 104.770 118.225
225 Burnt Bone
C001 93.400 104.770 118.225
226
Unburnt
Bone Animal tooth C001 93.120 104.460 119.233
227
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.650 103.290 119.447
228 Burnt Bone
C001 98.620 104.540 118.237
229 Burnt Bone
C001 97.770 102.930 119.457
230 Burnt Bone
C001 97.712 103.460 119.447
231 Burnt Bone
C001 94.160 104.690 119.482
232 Burnt Bone
C001 97.700 102.830 119.238
233 Burnt Bone
C001 93.970 104.530 119.203
234
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 93.740 104.540 119.199
235 Burnt Bone
C001 97.700 102.490 119.239
236 Burnt Bone
C001 94.520 102.470 119.313
237 Burnt Bone
C001 94.865 102.770 119.043
238 Burnt Bone
C001 94.210 102.780 119.142
239 Burnt Bone
C001 93.740 104.450 119.199
240
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.210 102.780 119.142
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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57
241 Burnt Bone
C001 96.912 102.344 119.389
242 Burnt Bone
C001 98.406 103.327 119.466
243
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 98.411 103.327 119.466
244
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 97.634 103.467 119.982
245
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.627 103.466 118.982
246
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.821 103.273 119.200
247 Burnt Bone
C001 94.801 105.307 119.643
248 Burnt Bone
C001 96.537 105.447 119.730
249
Unburnt
Bone
C001 94.928 105.153 119.688
250
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 95.905 105.564 119.679
251 Burnt Bone
C001 96.310 105.569 119.651
252 Burnt Bone
C001 95.256 105.844 119.608
253
Unburnt
Bone Human phalanges C001 96.318 105.629 119.626
254 Void void void void void void void
255
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.268 105.596 119.599
256
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 96.407 105.524 119.620
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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58
257 Burnt Bone
C001 96.491 105.592 119.140
258
Unburnt
Bone
C001 95.996 105.179 119.774
259 Burnt Bone
C001 96.450 105.100 119.804
260
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 96.431 105.154 119.799
261
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 94.832 105.659 119.400
262 Burnt Bone
C001 96.223 105.439 119.781
263
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 96.117 105.311 119.751
264
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 95.857 105.945 119.689
265 Burnt Bone
C001 95.808 105.114 119.621
266
Unburnt
Bone Human Petrous C001 96.159 105.017 119.688
267 Burnt Bone
C023 93.655 102.068 119.472
268 Burnt Bone
C023 94.165 101.887 119.533
269 Burnt Bone
C001 95.264 105.599 119.523
270
Unburnt
Bone
C001 96.321 105.004 119.428
271 Burnt Bone
C023 93.977 102.360 119.498
272 Burnt Bone
C023 94.534 100.992 119.520
273
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 96.129 104.851 119.509
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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59
274
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 96.790 105.814 119.537
275
Unburnt
Bone
C001 96.510 105.120 119.539
276
Unburnt
Bone
C001 96.210 105.730 119.532
277 Burnt Bone
C023 93.964 102.090 119.423
278
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 95.505 105.639 119.397
279 Burnt Bone
C001 95.120 105.742 119.438
280 Burnt Bone
C001 96.589 106.108 119.589
281
Unburnt
Bone Animal Mandible C001 95.000 104.000 119.200
282 Burnt Bone
C024 94.103 102.603 119.582
283 Burnt Bone
C024 94.738 102.609 119.479
284 Burnt Bone
C024 94.166 103.881 119.432
285
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C024 94.107 103.903 119.430
286 Burnt Bone
C024 94.212 101.427 119.540
287
Unburnt
Bone
C024 94.220 101.556 119.505
288 Burnt Bone
C024 94.299 101.083 119.553
289 Burnt Bone
C024 94.385 103.659 119.521
290
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C024 94.390 103.523 119.504
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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60
291
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C024 94.198 103.879 119.439
292 Burnt Bone
C024 93.893 101.448 119.529
293 Burnt Bone
C024 94.301 103.617 119.420
294 Burnt Bone
C024 94.259 101.622 119.498
295 Burnt Bone
C024 94.337 103.306 119.311
296 Burnt Bone
C024 94.341 103.047 119.531
297 Burnt Bone
C024 94.861 102.522 119.427
298 Burnt Bone
C024 94.036 101.750 119.496
299 Burnt Bone
C024 93.642 101.221 119.511
300
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C024 94.077 103.251 119.361
301
Unburnt
Bone
C024 94.565 102.148 119.416
302 Burnt Bone
C024 94.048 103.416 119.350
303 Burnt Bone
C024 94.324 104.540 119.135
304
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C024 94.197 104.674 119.134
305
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C024 94.258 103.281 119.304
306 Burnt Bone
C024 94.200 101.413 119.455
307
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C024 94.371 103.306 119.315
308 Burnt Bone
C024 93.953 104.335 119.107
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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61
309 Burnt Bone
C024 94.285 103.227 119.317
310 Burnt Bone
C024 94.713 101.728 119.404
311
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C024 94.713 101.728 119.404
312
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C024 93.993 103.266 119.364
313 Burnt Bone
C024 94.101 102.822 119.417
314
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C024 96.628 101.522 120.223
315 Burnt Bone
C024 94.387 102.994 119.540
316 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C024 96.026 103.217 119.294
317 Burnt Bone
C001 95.180 103.177 119.431
318 Burnt Bone
C001 96.628 101.522 120.223
319 Burnt Bone
C024 94.449 102.895 119.364
320 Burnt Bone
C024 94.099 102.799 119.419
321 Burnt Bone
C001 97.540 102.610 119.317
322 Burnt Bone
C001 93.898 104.385 119.090
323 Burnt Bone
C024 93.908 101.717 119.522
324 Burnt Bone
C024 93.790 102.515 119.558
325 Burnt Bone
C024 94.964 103.456 119.278
326
Unburnt
Bone
C001 95.370 103.645 119.291
327
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.943 102.932 119.310
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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62
328
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebra C024 93.166 104.324 119.155
329 Burnt Bone
C001 95.022 103.095 119.435
330 Burnt Bone
C001 94.978 102.993 119.444
331
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 97.505 102.588 119.287
332
Unburnt
Bone
C024 93.949 102.885 119.340
333 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C024 93.861 102.813 119.382
334
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 96.518 103.232 119.264
335 Burnt Bone
C024 93.577 103.335 119.348
336 Burnt Bone
C001 98.001 102.925 119.045
337 Burnt Bone
C001 96.348 103.572 119.172
338
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.838 103.023 119.092
339
Unburnt
Bone
C031 95.905 103.288 119.106
340 Burnt Bone
C001 98.041 103.177 119.146
341 Burnt Bone
C001 92.855 101.106 119.730
342 Burnt Bone
C031 95.504 103.321 119.259
343
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.189 102.456 119.268
344 Burnt Bone
C001 92.708 100.700 119.625
The Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology
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63
345
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C031 95.506 103.671 119.200
346
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C031 95.454 103.500 119.252
347 Burnt Bone
C001 92.390 100.991 119.673
348
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.743 102.730 119.150
349
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 92.786 103.356 119.633
350 Burnt Bone
C001 92.905 103.518 119.641
351
Unburnt
Bone
patella C001 99.641 104.238 119.232
352
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C031 95.720 103.193 119.091
353
Unburnt
Bone Human tooth C001 97.309 102.850 119.116
354 Burnt Bone
C001 97.220 102.690 119.271
355 Burnt Bone
C001 92.403 101.632 119.703
356
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.321 102.562 119.273
357
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 99.847 103.339 119.613
358
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebra C001 92.625 104.242 119.454
359 Burnt Bone
C001 92.586 101.578 119.762
360 Burnt Bone
C001 92.817 102.187 119.738
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361 Burnt Bone
C001 92.218 101.667 119.680
362 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C001 92.728 101.167 119.715
363 Burnt Bone
C001 92.293 100.390 119.550
364 Burnt Bone
C001 92.446 103.220 119.597
365 Burnt Bone
C001 92.788 100.497 119.545
366 Burnt Bone
C001 92.208 104.390 119.421
367 Burnt Bone
C001 92.596 103.806 119.520
368 Burnt Bone
C001 92.311 102.371 119.371
369 Burnt Bone
C001 92.157 103.778 119.521
370
Unburnt
Bone Animal Mandible C001 97.856 102.605 119.003
371
Unburnt
Bone Animal Mandible C001 99.524 109.092 119.312
372
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.651 100.580 119.504
373 Burnt Bone
C001 92.651 100.580 119.504
374 Burnt Bone
C001 92.693 102.177 119.684
375 Burnt Bone
C001 91.920 101.577 119.511
376 Burnt Bone
C001 92.596 104.398 119.369
377 Burnt Bone
C001 92.483 101.309 119.260
378 Burnt Bone
C001 92.794 102.302 119.628
379 Burnt Bone
C001 92.554 100.972 119.556
380 Burnt Bone
C001 92.897 104.247 119.404
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381 Burnt Bone
C001 92.932 102.440 119.633
382 Burnt Bone
C001 92.773 101.021 119.541
383 Burnt Bone
C001 92.842 101.564 119.750
384 Burnt Bone
C001 92.915 102.137 119.660
385 Burnt Bone
C001 97.863 102.728 118.924
386 Burnt Bone
C001 92.872 103.882 119.453
387 Burnt Bone
C001 92.639 101.217 119.540
388 Burnt Bone
C001 92.354 101.632 119.597
389 Burnt Bone
C001 97.538 102.498 119.147
390
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 92.758 101.131 119.527
391 Burnt Bone
C001 92.786 104.797 119.358
392 Burnt Bone
C001 92.831 101.569 119.660
393 Burnt Bone
C001 92.873 101.952 119.556
394 Burnt Bone
C001 92.606 101.948 119.551
395 Burnt Bone
C001 91.912 101.809 119.492
396
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 92.333 100.995 119.533
397
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.378 101.560 119.563
398
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.849 101.235 119.506
399
Unburnt
Bone
C001 96.894 102.363 119.341
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400
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 96.790 102.399 119.280
401
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.441 100.883 119.180
402 Burnt Bone
C001 92.269 104.356 119.320
403 Burnt Bone
C001 92.093 100.441 119.183
404
Unburnt
Bone
phalanges C001 92.502 101.114 119.521
405 Burnt Bone
C001 92.649 101.886 119.543
406 Burnt Bone
C001 92.813 102.176 119.508
407 Burnt Bone
C001 92.261 101.074 119.515
408
Unburnt
Bone
phalanges C001 92.367 101.070 119.529
409
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.460 102.153 119.506
410
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 97.106 102.472 119.197
411 Burnt Bone
C001 92.104 101.729 119.498
412 Burnt Bone
C001 92.558 104.862 119.386
413 Burnt Bone
C001 91.440 100.969 119.466
414 Burnt Bone
C001 92.014 100.191 119.521
415 Burnt Bone
C001 91.686 102.724 119.425
416 Burnt Bone
C001 92.361 104.839 119.373
417
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 91.602 102.926 119.382
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418 Burnt Bone
C001 96.878 102.729 119.252
419
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.608 100.964 119.498
420
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.463 102.665 119.483
421 Burnt Bone
C001 92.486 102.241 119.513
422 Burnt Bone
C001 92.480 102.240 119.513
423 Burnt Bone
C001 92.485 102.230 119.513
424 Burnt Bone
C001 91.909 104.942 119.410
425 Burnt Bone
C001 92.216 101.020 119.472
426
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.804 102.880 119.485
427 Burnt Bone
C030 98.798 103.395 119.343
428 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C001 96.986 102.684 119.193
429 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C001 97.529 102.417 119.135
430
Unburnt
Bone
C001 91.340 101.876 119.374
431 Burnt Bone
Charred Bone C001 98.604 103.503 119.940
432
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C030 98.604 103.503 119.940
433
Unburnt
Bone
C030 92.612 100.938 119.451
434 Burnt Bone
C001 98.604 103.503 118.940
435 Burnt Bone
C030 96.844 102.520 119.169
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436
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 96.876 102.579 119.167
437
Unburnt
Bone Animal tooth C001 98.597 103.470 118.949
438
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C030 92.735 104.716 119.334
439 Burnt Bone
C001 98.545 103.196 119.033
440 Burnt Bone
C001 98.542 103.245 119.029
441
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C030 98.615 103.665 118.889
442
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C030 98.674 103.408 118.958
443 Burnt Bone
C001 91.587 100.682 119.370
444
Unburnt
Bone
C001 92.475 104.684 119.324
445 Burnt Bone
C001 92.059 102.884 119.408
446
Unburnt
Bone
C030 98.454 103.882 119.181
447
Unburnt
Bone
C001 97.771 102.529 119.034
448
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth (infant) C001 92.056 104.610 119.252
449
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth (infant) C001 97.694 102.508 119.011
450 Burnt Bone
C001 91.887 102.965 119.965
451 Burnt Bone
C001 97.664 102.506 118.970
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452 Burnt Bone
C001 91.694 103.357 119.379
453 Burnt Bone
C001 92.033 102.178 119.387
454 Burnt Bone
C001 91.819 102.580 119.344
455 Burnt Bone
C034 95.264 103.634 119.297
456
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C001 91.539 103.912 119.244
457 Burnt Bone
C001 92.890 104.770 119.289
458 Burnt Bone
C001 91.552 103.130 119.260
459
Unburnt
Bone
C030 99.052 104.534 118.926
460 Burnt Bone
C001 91.906 101.072 119.417
461 Burnt Bone
C001 92.466 104.115 119.273
462 Void void void void void void void
463 Burnt Bone
C001 92.516 104.673 119.266
464 Burnt Bone
C001 92.069 101.550 119.376
465 Burnt Bone
C001 92.191 104.719 119.152
466 Burnt Bone
C001 92.170 104.306 119.231
467 Burnt Bone
C034 95.089 103.797 119.331
468 Burnt Bone
C001 97.023 102.548 119.001
469 Burnt Bone
C001 96.168 102.506 119.035
470 Burnt Bone
C001 91.168 101.487 119.238
471 Burnt Bone
C035 95.115 103.882 119.165
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472
Unburnt
Bone Animal tooth fragment? C001 96.935 103.235 118.818
473 Burnt Bone
C028 99.666 103.367 119.344
474 Burnt Bone
C001 92.116 101.019 119.331
475
Unburnt
Bone Animal
C030 99.709 104.649 118.865
476 Burnt Bone
C030 99.093 104.448 118.867
477 Burnt Bone
C024 93.576 102.441 119.428
478 Burnt Bone
C024 93.864 102.705 119.318
479 Burnt Bone
C024 94.061 101.632 119.419
480 Burnt Bone
C001 91.444 101.258 119.245
481 Burnt Bone
C024 93.504 102.901 119.308
482 Void void void void void void void
483 Burnt Bone
C024 93.562 103.172 119.348
484 Burnt Bone
C024 94.063 102.798 119.252
485 Burnt Bone
C001 93.100 104.322 119.109
486 Burnt Bone
C028 99.835 103.526 119.456
487 Burnt Bone
C001 95.197 105.906 119.478
488
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 95.197 105.906 119.478
489 Burnt Bone
C024 93.018 101.638 119.365
490 Burnt Bone
C024 92.581 102.496 119.317
491 Burnt Bone
C024 93.533 102.492 119.444
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492 Burnt Bone
C024 93.018 102.406 119.365
493 Burnt Bone
C001 95.022 102.162 119.546
494
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 95.022 102.102 119.546
495
Unburnt
Bone
C001 95.183 102.581 119.378
496
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C001 95.268 102.680 119.380
497 Burnt Bone
C001 95.142 103.896 119.129
498 Burnt Bone
C001 95.053 102.053 119.604
499
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebra C001 94.793 101.791 119.375
500 Burnt Bone
C001 98.736 102.311 119.430
501
Unburnt
Bone Animal Vertebra C001 95.249 103.290 119.256
502 Burnt Bone
C001 95.121 103.511 119.214
503 Burnt Bone
C001 95.100 102.073 119.485
504
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 95.184 102.126 119.592
505 Burnt Bone
C001 95.134 102.195 119.546
506 Burnt Bone
C001 95.095 103.094 119.219
507 Burnt Bone
C024 92.246 103.619 119.011
508 Burnt Bone
C001 94.980 101.819 119.334
509
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C001 94.982 101.810 119.335
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510
Unburnt
Bone Animal Tooth C037 95.091 102.822 119.218
511 Burnt Bone
C037 95.249 103.290 119.256
512
Unburnt
Bone Human Tooth C037 95.249 103.290 119.256
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Appendix 4 Horse mandible identification
Material for Radiocarbon dating: 16E0129: Roughan Hill, Co. Clare
A total of 21 fragments of one horse mandible were received. This was recorded as recovered
from Context C023 and as Sample 084.
ID No. Context Sample Species Element Side P2 P3 P4 M1 M2 M3
5657 023 084 Horse Mandible Left Alv Alv Alv Alv Pres Pres
Measurements:
M2: L=23.2 W=13.0, H=circa 13mm.
M3 W=12.5 H=23.0mm.
On the basis of the toothwear it is estimated that the horse was aged 16 years or over at the
time of its death. This equates to an old adult.
Dr Fiona Beglane
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Appendix 5 Radiocarbon date
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