Deerpark Iron Age Ring Ditch With Cremation Deposits

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2438, a
ring‐ditch with cremation deposits in the townland of Deerpark,
Co. Galway

Date: November 2007
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05
By: Brendon Wilkins, Amy Bunce and Susan Lalonde.
Ministerial Direction no: A024
Registration no.: E2438
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: 18380‐18410
NGR: 152286/225265

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2438, a
ring‐ditch with cremation deposits in the townland of Deerpark,
Co. Galway

Date: November 2007
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05
By: Brendon Wilkins, Amy Bunce and Susan Lalonde.
Ministerial Direction no: A024
Registration no.: E2438
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: 18380‐18410
NGR: 152286/225265

Headland Archaeology Ltd: N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2, E2438 Final Report
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTENTS PAGE

1 Summary 4

2 Introduction 4

3 Site description and location 4

4 Aims and methodology 5

5 Results Phase 1 – Ring‐ditch 5
Phase 2 – Charcoal pit 6
Phase 3 – Natural features 7

6 Human remains by Susan Lalonde 7

7 Discussion 11

8 Archive 13

9 References 14

10 Appendicies

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List of Figures

Figure 1 Site Location
Figure 2 Register of Monuments and Places extract
Figure 3 Site plan
Figure 4 Sections of ring‐ditch (1003)
Figure 5 Plan & section of charcoal pit (1006)

List of Plates

Plate 1 West‐facing section of charcoal pit (1006)
Plate 2 West‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) and pit (1009)
Plate 3 North‐facing section of pit (1009)
Plate 4 Post‐excavation of ring‐ditch (1003)
Plate 5 Iron Age beads

Appendices

Appendix 1 Context Register
Appendix 2 Finds Register
Appendix 3 Sample Register
Appendix 4 Photographic Register
Appendix 5 Drawing Register
Appendix 6 Osteological data
Appendix 7 Radiocarbon results
Appendix 8 Soil Sample Assessment by Susan Lyons
Appendix 9 Site Matrix

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1 Summary

Pre‐construction testing under Ministerial Direction number A024/E2438 on the site in 2006
identified a penannular shaped ditch with an associated charcoal filled pit. Full
archaeological excavation was conducted on the site during 2006. A penannular ring‐ditch
some 4 m in diameter was excavated. This had a small gap to the south and contained
cremated human remains and three beads. Other excavated features included a charcoal‐rich
pit to the east of the penannular ring‐ditch; a small tree bole to the south; and a natural
depression to the north. A single piece of chipped chert was recovered from the site but this
was not associated with any features. The penannular ring‐ditch, cremated bone and three
beads have been dated to the second century BC, and this type of feature is consistent with
Iron Age burial practices.

2 Introduction

Works are being carried out along the route of the proposed N6 Galway to East of Ballinasloe
national road scheme, between the townlands of Doughiska in County Galway and Beagh in
County Roscommon. The proposed road will consist of approximately 56 km of dual
carriageway, a 7 km link road from Carrowkeel to Loughrea and approximately 23 km of side
roads. There will be four grade‐separated junctions, 36 bridges and a toll plaza, located at
Cappataggle.

The area of proposed archaeological investigations was divided into four contracts, based on
four sectors of approximately equal extent. The work described here was undertaken under
archaeological investigations Contract 2. Contract 2 covered a stretch of road development of
approximately 13.2km length of dual carriageway and 7km of single carriageway, and passed
to the south of Athenry and Kiltullagh in a generally east‐west direction. The project was
funded by the Irish Government and the European Union under the National Development
Plan 2000‐2006. Headland Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Galway County Council to
undertake the works. RPS/MCOS compiled an Environmental Impact Statement of the route
in 2004, and an aerial survey was also undertaken. A Geophysical survey was conducted by
Archaeophysica in 2004. On the basis of findings from this work Contract 2 investigations
commenced in September 2005.

3 Site description and location

The site was located approximately 2.7 km south‐east of Athenry at NGR 152286/225265 and
chainage 18380 to 18410. The landscape was of gently undulating farmland and the site was
situated on relatively flat elevated ground. The western limit of the site was defined by a
large stone wall forming the boundary between the townlands of Moyode to the west and
Deerpark to the east.

4 Aims and methodology

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The objective of the work was the preservation by record of any archaeological features or
deposits in advance of the proposed road’s construction. Topsoil stripping of the site was
conducted using a 360° tracked machine fitted with a 1.9 m wide ditching (toothless) bucket
under archaeological supervision. A total area of 900 sq m was exposed. The resulting
surfaces were cleaned and all potential features investigated by hand. Archaeological contexts
were recorded by photograph and on standardised sheets. Plans and sections were drawn at
an appropriate scale. Registers are provided in the Appendices. Ordnance Datum levels and
feature locations were recorded using Penmap and an EDM. Environmental samples were
taken on any deposits suitable for analysis or dating.

5 Results

Natural Soil Profile

An orange clay (1010) was recorded as a variation of the unmodified natural C horizon
subsoil. This was found in irregular linear bands and that possibly the result of glacial ice
wedges. Some patches were more than 1 m in depth but most were no more than 0.20 m deep
and 0.50 m in diameter.

Ring‐ditch

The main feature was a penannular ring‐ditch (1003), approximately 4 m in diameter with a 1
m wide gap forming an opening in the south‐west. It was excavated in eight slots and all
deposits, including section baulks, were extensively sampled to retrieve all environmental
and osteological information. Prior to excavation cremated human bone was clearly visible on
the surface of the ring‐ditch fills. This was concentrated in three separate patches, although
there was no clear interface between contexts filling (1004) and (1005) filling the ring ditch,
and it was not possible to separate deposits during sampling.

The ring‐ditch was 0.50 m wide and 0.15 m deep and the sides were sloped at an angle of
approximately 40° from the horizontal. The base was 0.30 m wide and relatively flat. The
ditch was wider in the north and slightly shallower. The primary deposit (1005) was an
orange‐brown silty clay with dark red flecking. It included occasional charcoal and burnt
bone. It was 0.10 m deep and 0.50 m wide, and moderately compact. This was similar in
composition to the unmodified natural subsoil, indicating that it had been redeposited. The
secondary deposit (1004) was of moderately compact black sandy clay with frequent charcoal
and burnt bone inclusions. The south‐east terminus of the ring‐ditch (1003) appeared to have
been truncated by a tree bole (1009).

The interior of the ring‐ditch was thoroughly examined but no other features were located
inside. There were no traces of a mound encircled by (1003) or topographical indications of
the remnants of a mound or barrow. The presence of a tree at the terminus of the ring gully is
likely to have post‐dated the barrow. The date that this tree lived is not clear, but it would
have posed an obstacle to later agricultural ploughing. Its presence indicates that the
monument was neglected or avoided, but not wilfully damaged during the period that the
tree grew.

Two radiocarbon dating estimations were returned from the ring gully, with second sigma
ranges from (UB 7451) 363‐113 cal BC and (UB 7452) 808‐558 cal BC, and two further dates
were obtained from cremated human bone recovered from the fill, also giving second sigma
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ranges of (UB 7486) 362‐111 cal BC and (UB 7485) 345‐45 cal BC. These dates cluster in the
second century BC, suggesting that the site represents a plough damaged Iron Age barrow
structure. The earlier date (UB 7452) was interpreted as extraneous material incorporated into
a later deposit through taphonomic processes.

Three beads (E2438:1004/05:001‐003) of a blue, green and amber colour were recovered during
the analysis of material from (1003) and are likely grave goods associated with the cremation.
They were present within Quadrant A where cremated remains were less concentrated. The
beads were in excellent condition, showing no evidence of heat damage. This could be
because they were deposited in a pristine condition as part of the secondary burial rites or
they could also have been dress items included with the body during primary rites but
located within a cooler part of a pyre. The presence of fuel ash slag was observed in deposit
(1004), and this indicates that the original pyre reached temperatures high enough to liquefy
glass. If these beads were part of the funerary dress of the individual body then it is likely
that other similar artefacts could have also been included with the pyre but have not
survived.

Charcoal pit

A charcoal pit (1006) was located 2 m to the east of the ring‐ditch (1003). It was 1.40 m long,
0.80 m wide and 0.30 m deep. The feature was sub‐oval in plan and the sides and the base
were irregular but generally flat. The feature was filled by mid brown silty sand (1007) with
50‐60% charcoal that had retained a woody consistency. It was of loose compaction and
included occasional large stones. There was little evidence of burning in situ and no evidence
that the charcoal pit was a pyre associated with the ring‐gully cremation deposits. It is likely
to have been a later agricultural or small scale industrial feature unrelated to other features of
its period, it could also be a domestic feature related to short term temporary use of the site. A
radiocarbon estimation from Quercus (oak) charcoal recovered from the base of the feature
indicates a date range of (UB7450) cal AD 905‐1148, supporting the allocation of this pit as a
later feature.

Natural features

A mid brown silty clay topsoil (1000) covered the entire site. It was 0.15m deep, poorly
drained and of loose compaction. Beneath this a light orange‐brown silty clay subsoil was
recorded. It was 0.40m in depth and poorly drained, with a loose to moderate compaction.
The unmodified natural subsoil, (1002), was glacially derived light grey sandy clay till. It
contained frequent inclusions of large stones of up to 0.20m and frequent gravel.A natural
depression (1012) was located to the north of the ring‐gully and was filled with silt (1013). A
chert scraper (E2438:1001:001) was found within the subsoil adjacent to this feature.

The tree bole (1009) cutting the ring‐ditch was 2 m in diameter and 0.50 m deep. The interface
between these features was unclear and their stratigraphic relationship could not be
determined. Tree bole (1009) was filled by a grey sandy silty clay deposit (1008) of loose to
moderate compaction with occasional charcoal flecking. A fragment of cremated bone,
resulting from secondary re‐deposition, was recovered from the fill. The tree bole also
contained an orange silty clay (1014) of moderate compaction. It had inclusions of charcoal,
cremated bone and some stones. A broken and abraded chert blade (E2438:1014:001) was
recovered from this deposit. It was identified in the base of the tree bole and contained in
what was interpreted as root holes, accounting for a redeposited fragment of cremated bone.
A disturbed deposit filled what were interpreted as root holes in the base of the feature and
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also contained the fragment of cremated bone. It was a mixed deposit (1011) 0.50 m in depth
and up to 2 m in diameter and included occasional cremated bone fragments and fairly
frequent pieces of charcoal.

6 Human remains by Susan Lalonde

The site consists of a small curvilinear ring‐ditch of Iron Age date and a charcoal‐rich pit
dated to the early medieval period. Cremated human remains were found within the fill of
the ditch. The cremation pyre reached a range of temperatures from 300 oC around parts of
the body to 1200 oC at the base, causing the creation of silica‐based fuel ash slag. The
assemblage itself is small at just under 90 g of material, and likely only represents a partial
burial with the full interment or scattering of remains elsewhere. Unfortunately, no
demographic or paleopathological information could be retrieved from the remains. Three
beads of blue glass, green stone and amber were retrieved during the processing of the
cremation contexts. They appear to be unaffected by the heat of the pyre, and were likely
situated within a cooler area of the fire. Radiocarbon dating of bone from the gully suggested
an Iron Age date for the funerary activity at Deerpark, with a range of 342 – 45 cal BC.

Methodology

All contexts containing human remains were 100% sampled and wet sieved. Due to the large
amount of material to be processed (670 lt.), and the small amount of bone expected to be
retrieved, the samples were processed using the flotation tank rather than a sieve bank. This
meant that fragment size could not be fully assessed, however it was estimated that around
90% of the assemblage was in the 2 mm size category. The retent was then dried and sorted,
with all relevant finds being removed. These included charcoal, pyre debris, plant remains
and small finds.

Following protocol laid down by McKinley (1994a; 2004), and Gevjall (1969), the remains
were assessed for:

• weight
• degree of fragmentation
• skeletal elements
• demographic data ‐ sex, age, minimum number of individuals
• pathology data
• efficiency of cremation

The remains were not from a concentrated cremation burial context, but scattered throughout
the ring ditch (1003) and the tree bole at the ditch’s terminus. The majority of material
originated from the primary and secondary fill of the ring ditch (1004) and (1005). These
contexts were mixed and were sampled together. Therefore, performing the analysis by
context was not possible and had to be undertaken by quadrant. The ring‐ditch was split into
four quadrants –A, B, C and D – and samples from each of these were analysed together. In
this way it was hoped that any differences in deposition would be revealed.

Results

The Assemblage
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A total of 87.9 g of cremated human bone was retrieved from Deerpark E2438 (Table 1). See
Appendix 6 for full osteological data.

Quadrant Fill Cut Amount Bone (g)
A 1004 / 1005 1003 6.7g
B 1004 / 1005 / 1008 / 1010 1003 4.7g
C 1004 / 1005 1003 44g
D 1004 / 1005 1003 30 g
‐ 1011 1009 2.4g
‐ 1007 1006 0.1g
Total 87.9g
Table 1 Amount of cremated human material retrieved from the ring-ditch (1003) and associated pits
(1009 and 1006).
Modern crematoria produce an average of 1625.9 g of material, while archaeological
cremation burials tend to weigh between 250 g and 2500 g (Mckinley 1994a). It has been
theorised that archaeological cremation burials are often token or ritual deposits, with only
the partial remains of a single individual being interred. At around 5% of the expected
material from an adult cremation the small amount of material from Deerpark, and its
deposition within the curvilinear gully, leads to the conclusion that this too, is a ritual or
token deposit of some kind (see 4.4 ‘Funerary practice’)
3.2 Grave Goods & Pyre Debris
Three beads (E2438:1004/05:1 ‐3) were recovered from Quadrant A of the ring ditch. The
presence of personal ornaments such as these is suggestive of an Iron Age deposit (see 4.4
‘Funerary practice’). Their inclusion may also provide evidence for fluctuating pyre
temperatures (see 4.3 ‘Pyre efficiency’)
Fragments of burnt clay were found in contexts from Quadrant D, and pyre debris, made up
of a large amount of charcoal (149.9 g) and fuel ash slag, (2710 g) was recovered from all
areas. Pit (1006) contained 3.7 g of charcoal and 145.7 g of burnt fuel ash slag, as well as 0.1 g
of burnt bone.
Fuel ash slag has been recognized in cremation deposits across Britain and Ireland, and is
frequently observed in Bronze Age cremation burials from the Northern Isles of Scotland.
First described in the 18th century, it is defined as a general hearth slag that occurs when
burning takes place on sandy soils (McKinley 1994a). The subsoil at Deerpark is described as
sandy clay, and is therefore silica based, ideal for the creation of fuel ash slag

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100
80
% of Burnt Bone
60
1003
1006
40
1009
20
0
Unburnt Black Grey/Blue White
Oxidisation Level
Figure 4 Percentage of bone from (1003, 1006 and 1009) achieving levels of oxidisation.

Oxidsation & Fragmentation
The colour of cremated bone is a result of how oxidised the organic component of the
material has become, and subsequently provides information on the efficiency of the
cremation itself (see 4.3 ‘Pyre efficiency’). Bone blackens or chars at temperatures below
400oC, becomes partly oxidised and a bluish–grey colour at between 400 oC – 800 oC, and only
achieves full oxidisation and a white colour throughout at temperatures above 800 oC. Figure
4 demonstrates the percentage of bone from Deerpark in each oxidization category.

Also important in the analysis of pyre efficiency is the degree of fragmentation and warping
of the cremated bone. Unfortunately, the assemblage from Deerpark had very few
recognisable elements, and all fragments were small in size. The maximum size of fragment
per context is listed in Table 2.

The average fragment size of material from Deerpark is small, below 2 cm in length.
Cremated bone is fragmented firstly by the heat of the cremation itself, secondly by the
retrieval process from the pyre which may be raked over several times to collect the material,
and lastly through the taphonomic process and excavation (McKinley 1994b). There is no
evidence for deliberate crushing.

Cut Fill Quadrant Max. fragment size (mm)
1003 1004 / 1005 A 21
1003 1004 / 1005 / 1008 / 1010 B 13.3
1003 1004 / 1005 C 28.9
1003 1004 / 1005 D 19.1
1009 1011 ‐ 17.7
1006 1007 ‐ 5.1
Average 17.5mm
Table 2 Maximum size (mm) of cremated bone recovered from Deerpark E2438
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Demographic Data
The small amount of material recovered from Deerpark precluded the assessment of age or
sex from the remains. It is assumed that the remains represent a single individual, although it
must be stressed that this is simply as assumption, with no evidence to support or dismiss the
theory.

Dating
Samples from two contexts were provided to Queen’s University, Belfast for radiocarbon
dating. The results are presented in Table 3, and indicate that the funerary activity at
Deerpark dates to the Iron Age period.

Radiocarbon Calibrated range (2 sigma)
Context Description Lab Number
Date BP calendar yrs BC / AD
Cremated human bone from
1004 UB‐7485 2110 +/‐ 33 BC 342 ‐ 45
gully (1003)
1005 UB‐7486 2167 +/‐ 35 BC 362 ‐ 111
gully (1003)
Charcoal Quercus sp. From pit
1007 UB‐0745 1017 +/‐ 29 905 – 1148 AD
(1006)
Table 3 Results of radiocarbon dating of bone and charcoal samples from Deerpark E2438

Interpretation

Demographic Data
Due to the paucity of remains from Deerpark, it was not possible to apply tests for sex, age or
minimum number of individuals.

Pathology
No pathology was noted in the remains, but this is probably due to the small amount and
fragmented nature of the material.

Pyre Efficiency
Almost 50% of the burnt bone retrieved from Deerpark had the white appearance of fully
oxidised bone and had, therefore, been subject to temperatures of above 800 oC for a number
of hours. However, a large amount of material had not burned so well, and remained black
and charred. This could be due to body position, or factors such as the weather, a lack of fuel
or if the body was covered in some way preventing good air flow.

An interesting point to note is the condition of the glass bead recovered from the ring ditch.
Glass melts at a range of different temperatures, dependent on its exact make‐up, but this is
normally around 850oC. The Deerpark beads are in perfect condition, and clearly not heat‐
affected in any way. This, together with the information provided from the bone oxidisation,
suggests a pyre temperature of between 600 oC to 850oC. However, the presence of fuel ash
slag, which forms at 1000 oC – 1200 oC, suggests that temperatures at the base of the pyre were
much higher (Figure 3). Ethnographic and historical evidence suggests that a grid basis for
pyre construction is the most effective, with the body being placed on top. This ensures good
air flow as the centre of the pyre acts like a chimney flue, drawing the flames upwards. The
evidence from Deerpark suggests that the base of the pyre was the hottest, achieving a
minimum temperature of 1000 oC. The body was likely placed on top of the pyre, where
although hot enough to oxidise the majority of bone, certain areas were cooler which resulted
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in the charring of bone and the preservation of the glass beads. It is unfortunate that the
remains are so incomplete, as little can be deduced in terms of body position or reasons for
this range of temperatures.

Funerary Practice
The remains from Deerpark represent a partial burial. Archaeological cremation burials can
range in weight from 250 g–2500 g, and at just under 90 g, the Deerpark assemblage shows a
drastic under‐representation. The fragment size is also very small, with no fragments
recognisable to skeletal element. It is possible that the Deerpark assemblage represents the
smaller parts of the cremation burial, while the more recognisable fragments were interred
elsewhere.

There is some suggestion in the literature that fragrant woods were preferred for cremation
pyres (McKinley 1994a). Preliminary species identification of the charcoal from the ring ditch
reveals that Pomoidaceae spp predominate. Pomoidaceae spp are part of the rose family, and
include fruit trees such as apple and pear which are fragrant when burnt, and woods such as
hawthorn and rowan, which produce hot fires which burn for long periods of time, making
them ideal for use in a cremation pyre (Susan Lyons, pers comm.)

Funerary ritual during the Iron Age sees a continuation of some Later Bronze Age practices,
such as ring‐barrow and mound burials and partial cremation burials. Ritual grave goods of
the Bronze Age are replaced with personal ornaments. Beads, such as those found at
Deerpark, are the most common inclusion in funerary contexts, and 25% of all personal
ornaments from the Iron Age are found in association with burials. The majority belong to the
period between 100 BC and AD 400 (Cooney & Grogan 1999;125). The Deerpark burial –
dated to 353 –45 BC , partial in nature and with the inclusion of glass beads, fits the pattern of
mortuary behaviour suggested by Cooney & Grogan (ibid) for this period of Irish prehistory.

7 Discussion

Only a ring‐ditch and adjacent pit were recorded here although it is possible that any
upstanding mounds or banks were severely truncated by later ploughing. There was no
evidence of an associated pyre, other cremation burials, or settlement structures within the
vicinity of the adjacent CPO. It is possible that the three distinct concentrations of cremated
material observed in plan (1004) relate to three separate depositions of cremated material.
This could be a result of separate depositional events, an indication of structured deposition
or more likely the result of taphonomic processes.

A key research question for Iron Age burial practices in Ireland has been whether the absence
of evidence for mortuary remains is really evidence of absence or just a product of lack of
excavation at appropriate sites. The scarcity of evidence for Iron Age burial rites may be a
reflection of only a small proportion of the population being accorded formal burial, with less
archaeologically visible practices such as excarnation being used for the majority (Raftery
1994). Of the small proportion of mortuary behaviour we do have evidence for, at least six
different burial customs have been recognised, with both cremation and unburnt burials
deposited within ring barrow, ring bank or ring ditch (Waddell 2000: 366).

Ring barrows are circular mounds of earth surrounded by a ditch with an external bank
(O’Kelly 1989). The mounds are usually quite low and in some cases the external bank
appears to enclose a flat area. Classification is difficult as a result of later erosion and
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distribution of these monuments is problematic. The interior of the ring gully at Deerpark
was thoroughly examined but no other features were located inside. There were no traces of a
mound encircled by the ditch or topographical indications of the remnants of a mound or
barrow. Similar cremation structures to Deerpark have also been excavated in Galway dating
to the Iron Age (Waddell 2000: 367), suggesting that an original superstructure of up‐cast
mound material may have been eroded by plough damage.

Two previously recorded sites in Co. Galway were similar to Deerpark in terms of the
character, deposition of cremated remains and associated artefacts. An annular ditch 15m in
diameter was excavated in the townland of Grannagh (Waddell 2000: 367). This included a
deposit of cremated remains and a bead of green glass. A smaller ring barrow was excavated
at Oran Beg, 10 km from Deerpark, measuring 11 m in diameter (Rynne 1970). A token
deposit of human bone was identified in the centre of the mound and a concentrated deposit
of cremated material was recorded in the north‐eastern quadrant of the ditch. Eighty glass
beads were also recovered from the mound and ditch; these were predominantly blue and
yellow and had fused together in the cremation pyre.

Three beads of a blue (glass), green (stone) and amber (amber/paste) colour were recovered
during the analysis of material from Deerpark and are likely to have been dress items
associated with the cremation. They were present within Quadrant A of the gully where
cremated remains were less concentrated. The beads were in excellent condition, showing no
evidence of heat damage. This could be because they were deposited in a pristine condition as
part of the secondary burial rites or they could also have been dress items included with the
body during primary rites but located within a cooler part of a pyre. The presence of fuel ash
slag was observed in the gully fill and this indicates that the original pyre reached
temperatures high enough to liquefy glass. If these beads were part of the funerary dress of
the individual body then it is likely that other similar artefacts could have also been included
with the pyre but have not survived.

8 Archive

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:
Item Quantities
Context sheets 11
Sample sheets 24
Registers 5
Photos 24
Plans 2
Sections 18

The archive material is contained within one box.

Storage of the archive in a suitable format and location is required in order to provide for any
future archaeological research. The archive is currently stored in the offices of Headland
Archaeology, Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork. It is proposed that
following completion of post‐excavation the archive is deposited with Galway County
Council Archives.
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9 References

Bradley, R. 2002. The Past in Prehistoric Societies. London and New York: Routledge.

Cooney, G. and Eogan, G. 1994. Irish Prehistory: a social perspective. Dublin: Wordwell.

Gevjall, N 1969 ‘Cremations’ In Brothwell, D & Higgs, E (Eds) Science in Archaeology 2nd Ed.
Thames and Hudson: London

Harbison, P. 1988. Pre‐Christian Ireland. From the First Settlers to the Early Celts. London:
Thames and Hudson.

McKinley, J I 1994a the Anglo‐Saxon Cemetery at Spong Hill, North Eltham Part VII: The
Cremations East Anglian Archaeology Report No 69 Field Archaeology Division Norfolk
Museum Services: Dereham

McKinley, J I 1994b ‘Bone fragment size in British cremation burials and its implications for
pyre technology and ritual’ Journal of Archaeological Science 21 339‐342

McKinley, J I 2004 ‘Compiling a skeletal inventory: cremated human bone’ In M. Brickley and
J.I. McKinley (Eds) Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains BABAO:
Southampton

OʹKelly, M. J. 1989. Early Ireland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Raftery, B. 1994. Pagan Celtic Ireland. London: Thames and Hudson.

Rynne, E. 1970. Oran Beg Ring Barrow, in T. G. Delaney (ed.) Excavations 1970. 10. Belfast.

Waddell, J 1990 The Bronze Age Burials of Ireland Galway University Press: Galway

Waddell, J. 2000. The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Bray: Wordwell.

13
= CPO
Athenry E2438
Galway
Reproduced from 2002 Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1:50,000 Discovery Series no 46,
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
0 100 m
Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

Location of excavation area
Reproduced from 1933 Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Second Edition, Six Inch to One Mile map, Galway Sheet 84 and 96
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
= CPO
= Excavated Area
0 250 m

Location of excavation area and RMP extract
1003
ring-ditch
N
location
of beads 0 20 m
cremated bone D A cremated bone

30g 6.7g
cremated bone C B cremated bone

44g 4.7g
1009
tree-bole
1003
ring-ditch
1009 1006
tree-bole charcoal pit
0 1.25 m

Overall site plan showing amounts of cremated bone recovered by quadrant
Drw 15
Drw 13
Drw 6
1003
N
1009
Drw 11
0 1.25 m
= Location of sections
(triangles point to face of section)
SW Drw 6 NE W Drw 13 E
1005 1004
1005
1003 1003
SE Drw 11 NW SW Drw 15 NE
1004
1004
1005 1005
1003
1003
0 0.5 m

Sections of ring-ditch 1003
N
0 20 m
SW NE
1007
1006
1006
charcoal pit
= Location of section
(triangles point to face of section)
0 1m

Plan and section of charcoal pit 1006
Plate 1 - West-facing section of charcoal pit 1006
Plate 2 - West-facing section of ring-ditch 1003 and tree-bole 1009

Plate 3 - North-facing section of tree-bole pit 1009
Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of ring-ditch 1003
1 cm
Plate 5 - Three beads recovered from the northern quadrant of the

ring-ditch in association with burnt human remains
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 1: Context register

Context Area Type Description Interpretation
Number
1000 2.37 Deposit Topsoil, Depth 0.15 m. Topsoil.
Mid brown silty clay, few stones, loose
compaction.
1001 2.37 Deposit Subsoil, Depth 0.40 m. Subsoil.
Light orange‐brown silty clay, few stones,
loose to moderate compaction.
1002 2.37 Deposit Pale grey stony sandy clay. Natural subsoil.
1003 2.37 Cut Ring ditch of 4 m diameter. Gap to south/east. Small ring‐ditch.
Ditch Width 0.50 m, Depth 0.15 m. Also called
40° sides, flat base of 0.30m width. Filled by penannular gully.
(1004), (1005).
1004 2.37 Fill Secondary fill of small ring ditch (1003). Fill of ring‐ditch.
Width 0.30 m, Depth 0.10 m.
Black gritty sandy clay, charcoal rich, burnt
bone, loose to moderate compaction.
1005 2.37 Fill Primary fill of small ring ditch (1003). Fill of ring‐ditch.
Width 0.50 m, Depth 0.10 m.
Orange‐brown silty clay, charcoal flecks,
burnt bone, few stones, loose to moderate
compaction.
1006 2.37 Cut Length 1.40 m, Width 0.80 m, Depth 0.3 m. Pit.
Sub‐oval in plan, irregular shallow sides,
irregular flat base. Possibly two pits with
north pit cutting south pit. Filled by (1007).
1007 2.37 Fill Singular fill of burnt pit (1006). Fill of pit.
Medium brown silty sand, 50‐60% ‘woody’
charcoal, 2% stones, loose compaction.
1008 2.37 Fill Fill of tree bole (1009). Fill of a tree‐bole.
Thickness 0.15 m.
Grey silty clay, charcoal, few stones, loose to
moderate compaction
1009 2.37 Cut Diameter 2m, Depth 0.50 m. Tree bole.
Irregular shape in plan, irregular steep sides,
irregular base. Located at terminus of ring
ditch.
1010 2.37 Deposit Red‐orange silty clay, no inclusions, moderate Natural deposits.
compaction. Found in patches across the site.
Average Depth 0.20 m. Average diam 0.50 m.
1011 2.37 Fill Fill of tree bole (1009). Fill of tree‐bole.
Thickness 0.50 m.
Orange‐brown silty clay, frequent charcoal,
burnt bone, few stones, loose compaction.
1012 2.37 Cut Sub‐circular in plan, steep sides, concave base. Natural depression.
1013 2.37 Fill Fill of natural depression (1012). Fill of natural
depression.
14
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
1014 2.37 Fill Fill of tree‐bole (1009). Thickness 0.25 m. Fill of tree‐bole.

Orange silty clay, charcoal, burnt bone, some
stones, moderate compaction.

15
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Appendix 2: Finds register

Excavation Context Find Material Type Ident Description Habitat Quantity
No. No. No.
NGB 05 1014 1 Stone Chert Struck Broken Headland 1
2.37 blade
NGB 05 1001 1 Stone Chert Struck Scraper Headland 1
2.37

16
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Appendix 3: Sample register

Sample Context Amount Description Type/Initial results
Number Number
1 1004 & 1005 30L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 1 3 buckets
2 1004 & 1005 40L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 2 1 bucket, 3 bags
3 1005 70L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 3 7 bags
4 1005 50L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 4 5 bags
5 1004 & 1005 40L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 5 1 bucket, 3 bags
6 1004 & 1005 40L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 6 3 buckets, 1 bag
7 1004 & 1005 80L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 7 8 bags
8 1007 10L Brown silty fill of pit (1006) 1 bag
N end
9 1007 10L Charcoal‐rich fill of pit 1 bag
(1006) north end
10 1007 10L Charcoal‐rich fill of pit 1 bucket
(1006) south end
11 1011 90L Fill of pit (1009) south side 9 bags
12 1004/1008/1014 50L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) 5 bags
meeting north side of pit
(1009)
13 1005 10L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 8 1 bag
14 1004 & 1008 10L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 8 1 bag
15 1014 10L Fill of pit (1009) north side 1 bag
16 Surface bone sample
17 1014 5L Fill to west of pit (1009) 1 bucket
18 1011 5L Fill to west of pit (1009) 1 bag
19 1004 & 1005 20L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) 2 buckets
baulk 1
20 1004 & 1005 10L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) 1 bucket
baulk 2
21 1005 10L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) 1 bucket
baulk 3
22 1005 40L Fill of ring‐ditch (1003) 4 buckets
baulk 4
baulk 5
baulk 6
baulk 7

17
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Appendix 4: Photo register

Photo Direction Description Initials/date
no facing
24 North Pre‐excavation shot of (1006) S.C. 29.03.06
25 West Pre‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1003) S.C. 29.03.06
26 North/west Pre‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1003) S.C. 29.03.06
27 North Pre‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1003) S.C. 29.03.06
28 North/east Pre‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1003) S.C. 29.03.06
29 East West‐facing section of (1006) S.C. 29.03.06
30 North South‐facing section of pit (1009) S.C. 29.03.06
31 East West‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) & pit S.C. 29.03.06
(1009)
32 South North‐facing section of pit (1009) S.C. 29.03.06
33 North/west South/east‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) B.C. 29.03.06
slot 1
34 South/east North/west‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) B.C. 29.03.06
slot 2
35 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 2 B.C. 29.03.06
36 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 3 B.C. 29.03.06
37 North/east South/west‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) B.C. 29.03.06
slot 3
38 South/west North/east‐facing of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 4 B.C. 29.03.06
39 East West‐facing of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 4 B.C. 29.03.06
40 West East‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 5 B.C. 29.03.06
41 South/east North/west‐facing of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 5 B.C. 29.03.06
42 North South‐facing section of (ring‐ditch 1003) slot 6 B.C. 29.03.06
43 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 6 B.C. 29.03.06
44 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1003) slot 7 B.C. 29.03.06
45 North/east South/west‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) J.W. 30.03.06
46 North Post‐excavation shot of charcoal pit (1009) B.C. 30.03.06
47 North Post‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1003) B.C. 30.03.06

18
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 5: Drawing register

Drawing Drawing Description Scale Initials/date
no type
1 Section West‐facing section of pit (1006) 1:10 L.C. 29.03.06
2 Section South‐facing section of pit (1009) 1:10 B.C. 29.03.06
3 Section East‐facing section ring‐ditch (1003) 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
slot 5
4 Section North/west‐facing section of ring‐ 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
ditch (1003) slot 5
5 Section West‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 4
6 Section North/east‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 4
7 Section South/west‐facing seection of ring‐ 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
ditch (1003) slot 3
8 Section North‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 3
9 Section South‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 2
ditch (1003) slot 2
11 Section South/east‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 1
12 Section South‐facing section of (ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
1003) slot 7
13 Section North‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 7
14 Section North‐facing section ring‐ditch (1003) 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
slot 6
15 Section South‐facing section of ring‐ditch 1:10 N.K. 29.03.06
(1003) slot 6
16 Plan Post‐excavation plan of ring‐ditch 1:20 L.C. & B.C. 30.03.06
(1003)
17 Section South/west‐facing section of (1012) 1:10 J.W. 30.03.06
18 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1006) 1:20 L.C. 30.03.06
ditch (1003) & (1009)
20 Section North/east‐facing section of (1009) 1:10 N.K. 30.03.06

19
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 6: Osteological Data

Total Black Blue‐Grey White
Cut Fill Sample Max. Frag Size (mm)
Weight (g) (%) (%) (%)
1003 1004/05/08/10 12, 13 4.7 6 47 47 13.3
7, 6, 24,
1003 1004 / 1005 6.7 43 20 37 21
25
4,5, 22,
1003 1004 / 1005 30 8.3 36 55.7 19.15
23
1‐3, 19,
1003 1004 / 1005 44 18 42 40 28.9
21
1006 1007 ‐ 0.1 ‐ ‐ 100 5.1
1009 1011 11 2.4 ‐ ‐ 100 17.74
Table 1: Cremated material by weight, colour and maximum size

Skull Axial Upper Lower Unidentifiable
Cut Fill Sample
(g) Skeleton (g) Limb (g) Limb (g) (g)
1003 1004/05/08/10 12, 13 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 4.7
7, 6, 24,
1003 1004 / 1005 ‐ ‐ 2.8 ‐ 3.9
25
4,5, 22,
1003 1004 / 1005 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 30
23
1‐3, 19,
1003 1004 / 1005 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 44
21
1006 1007 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 0.1
1009 1011 11 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ 2.4

Table 2: Cremated material by identifiable element

20
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Appendix 7: Radiocarbon Dating Results

Radiocarbon Calibrated range (2 sigma)
Context Description Lab Number
Date BP calendar yrs BC / AD
1004 UB‐7485 2110 +/‐ 33 BC 342 ‐ 45
gully (1003)
1005 UB‐7486 2167 +/‐ 35 BC 362 ‐ 111
gully (1003)
Charcoal Quercus sp. From pit
1007 UB‐0745 1017 +/‐ 29 905 – 1148 AD
(1006)
Table 1. Radiocarbon results from E2438 Deerpark

21
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 8
Soil Sample Assessment

Background

The archaeological excavations at Deerpark (A024/14, E2438) were carried out in advance of
the N6 Galway – Ballinasloe Road Scheme, on behalf of Galway County Council. The site
was located approx. 2.7km south‐east of Athenry at NGR 152286/225265. The excavation
revealed a small ring‐ditch containing cremated human remains along with a pit feature. It
was difficult to ascertain whether there was a relationship between the ditch and the pits. A
comprehensive sampling strategy was employed, where a total of 25 bulk soil samples were
taken representing all significant fills and deposits.

Methodology

Nineteen soil samples were selected for the recovery of palaeobotanical remains and small
finds. Each sample was subjected to a system of flotation in a Siraf style flotation tank. The
floating debris (flot) was collected in a 250 μm sieve and, once dry, scanned using a binocular
microscope. Any remaining material in the flotation tank (retent) was wet‐sieved through a
1mm mesh and air‐dried. This was then sorted by eye and any material of archaeological
significance removed. An assessment of each sample was made to determine whether it
would benefit from any more detailed analysis. The results from this are presented in Tables
1 and 2.

Results

The botanical remains were preserved by charring in all cases.

Wood charcoal –All samples contained wood charcoal in low to high concentrations. Where a
higher concentration of wood charcoal (+++ and ++++) was recorded, the majority of the
charcoal was very fragmented and survived in very small fibres and filaments. Samples
identified with an asterisk (*) in Table 1 contain sufficient quantities of charcoal for obtaining
a radiocarbon date.

Carbonised hazelnut shell – Just two contexts contained very small fragments of carbonised
hazelnut shell; Contexts 1004 and 1005 [fills of ring‐ditch 1003]

Animal bone
Unburnt bone –Twelve samples contained unburnt animal bone. Low concentrations of bone
was recovered from Contexts 1004/1005 [fill of ring‐ditch 1003], while much higher
concentrations were recorded from Contexts 1011 and 1014 [fills of pit 1009].

Burnt bone – Burnt bone was recovered from five samples; low concentrations were identified
from Contexts 1004/1005 [fills of ring‐ditch 1003], while the highest concentrations were
recovered from Context 1011 and 1014 [fills of pit 1009]. (see Osteoarchaeological Report)

Mollusca – Low to moderate concentrations of molluscs were recorded from Context 1004,
1005, 1011 and 1014. It is difficult to ascertain at this assessment stage whether these species
belong to marine or terrestrial varieties of mollusca.

22
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Metallic debris – Small fragments of metallic debris were identified from Contexts 1005 and
1011. While this material contains a metallic component, it is difficult to ascertain whether
this is a result of metal working or naturally occurring deposits. No more can be said about
the material at this time.

Flint – Contexts 1011 and 1014 contained fragments of flint. No secondary workings were
evident from the material, however based on the size of the assemblage, it is difficult to
establish whether it represents cultural or natural material.

Chert – Fragments of chert were also recovered from Contexts 1011 and 1014. Evidence for
secondary/tertiary workings were noted from some of the fragments, however, it was difficult
to ascertain whether the remaining fragments were culturally or naturally formed.

Discussion

The samples primarily contained charcoal fragments but were void of other botanical
indicators of domestic activity. The presence of cremated deposits from the site would explain
the high charcoal content from many of the features. Such conflagration deposits would also
result in this material being reworked and redistributed across the site into open features.
Both burnt and unburnt bone was recorded from the samples, especially from the ditch [1003]
and pit [1009]. The burnt bone is likely to be associated with the cremated bone recovered
from the site, however further assessment of the unburnt bone would help to interpret the
nature of the material and its presence at the site.

Carbonised hazelnut shell is a common occurrence from archaeological sites (Moffett et al,
1989; Greig, 1991) and its presence is usually interpreted as the waste debris of gathered
foodstuffs that have been discarded onto fires; the remnants of drying or parching hazelnuts
near or over a fire; material collected with hazel wood for fuel or kindling. The hazelnut shell
recovered from many of the features at the site is in such small quantities however, its origin
remains uncertain.

Evidence for flint and chert debris was predominantly recovered from pit [1009]. While this
material strongly suggests that lithic knapping was carried out at the site, it is difficult to date
when this action was carried out. It is most likely that this activity dates to the prehistoric
period, however, it is also worth noting that small assemblages of worked lithics have also
been found on early medieval sites as at Ballyutoag, Co. Antrim (Edwards, 1990).

Mollusc shell assemblages can often be found in sediments associated with standing water.
However, it is difficult to ascertain the exact reasoning behind the occurrence of such material
in these samples without a more detailed study taking place.

The soil sample assessment from Deerpark contained a relatively low concentration of
archaeological and archaeobotanical material. While no finds pertaining to domestic or
occupational activity were recovered, the on‐site recording of cremated remains certainly
highlights the use of the site as an area of funerary activity at one time.

References

Edwards, N 1990 The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland Ch 5, 96. B.T Batsford Ltd. London.
23
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Greig, J, 1991 ‘The British Isles’ in van Zeist, Wasylikowa & Behre (eds) Progess in Old World
Palaeoethnobotany, 299 – 334. Rotterdam.

Moffett, L et al 1989 Cereals, fruits and nuts: charred plant remains from Neolithic sites in
England and Wales and the Neolithic economy. In A Milles, D Williams & N Gardner (eds),
The beginnings of agriculture. British Archaeological Repots International Series 496: 234‐261.
24
Appendix 9: Site Matrix
(1000)
(1001)
(1014)
(1004)
(1011) (1008)
(1007) (1013) (1005)
[1006] [1012] [1009] [1003] (1010)
(1002)

Deerpark Iron Age Ring Ditch With Cremation Deposits

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Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

Figure 2 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

cremated bone D A cremated bone

cremated bone C B cremated bone

Figure 3 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

Figure 4 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

Figure 5 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Deerpark E2438

Plate 2 - West-facing section of ring-ditch 1003 and tree-bole 1009

Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of ring-ditch 1003

Plate 5 - Three beads recovered from the northern quadrant of the

1014 2.37 Fill Fill of tree‐bole (1009). Thickness 0.25 m. Fill of tree‐bole.

Table 1: Cremated material by weight, colour and maximum size

Table 1. Radiocarbon results from E2438 Deerpark

[1006] [1012] [1009] [1003] (1010)

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