Ballykeeran Late Bronze Age Cist and Ring-Ditch

Date: January 2009
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2440, a Late
Bronze Age cist and ring‐ditch in the townland of Ballykeeran, Co.
Galway

By: Brendon Wilkins
Illustrator: Eavan O’Dochartaigh
Ministerial Direction no. A024
Excavation Registration No. E2440
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: Loughrea link road junction east 200‐250
NGR: 160420/222777

Date: January 2009
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2440, a Late
Bronze Age cist and ring‐ditch in the townland of Ballykeeran, Co.
Galway

By: Brendon Wilkins
Illustrator: Eavan O’Dochartaigh
Ministerial Direction no. A024
Excavation Registration No. E2440
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: Loughrea link road junction east 200‐250
NGR: 160420/222777

Headland Archaeology Ltd. N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2. E2440 Final Report
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTENTS PAGE

1 Summary 4

2 Introduction 4

3 Site description and location 5

4 Aims and methodology 5

5 Results 5
Site ‐wide deposits 5
Phase 1: linear cut 6
Phase 2 : ring ditch, cairn and cist 6
Phase 3: later features 8

6 Discussion 9

7 Archive 12

8 References 13

2
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List of Figures

Figure 1 Site location
Figure 2 RMP extract
Figure 3 Site plan
Figure 4 Plans of cist (1020)
Figure 5 Sections of cist (1020)
Figure 6 Sections of post‐holes and profiles of footing trench/kerb slot
Figure 7 Sections of ring‐ditch (1012)
Figure 8 Sections of linear (1004)
Figure 9 Sections of linear (1038)

List of Plates

Plate 1 Linear feature (1002) with cist (1020) in background
Plate 2 Collapsed roof of cist (1020)
Plate 3 Base of cist (1020)
Plate 4 Post‐excavation photo of cist (1020)
Plate 5 East and south‐facing sections of modern pit (1015)
Plate 6 Kerb slot (1058)
Plate 7 Aerial view of site
Plate 8 Aerial view of site

Appendices

Appendix 1 Context register
Appendix 2 Finds register
Appendix 3 Sample register
Appendix 4 Photograph register
Appendix 5 Drawing register
Appendix 6 Faunal remains report by Auli Tourunen
Appendix 7 Lithics report by Torben Bjarke Ballin
Appendix 8 Metal finds report by Julie Franklin
Appendix 9 Soil sample assessment by Susan Lyons
Appendix 10 Human remains report by Carmelita Troy
Appendix 11 Site matrix

3
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1 Summary

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations carried out on behalf of Galway
County Council as part of Contract 2 Archaeological Investigations prior to the commencement of
construction on the N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme. The work was undertaken under Ministerial
Direction number A024 in the townland of Ballykeeran, Co. Galway. The Minister for the
Environment, Heritage & Local Government, following consultation with the National Museum of
Ireland, directed that Brendon Wilkins of Headland Archaeology Ltd should proceed with Phase 2
full manual investigation of the site, where pre‐construction in 2005 identified the plough truncated
remains of a supposed burnt mound.

Full archaeological excavation was conducted on the site between February and March 2006. This
exposed the supposed burnt mound, which actually consisted of a thin layer of burnt material
overlying a stone‐lined cist with an associated ring ditch. Other linear ditches pre‐dated and post‐
dated the formation of the cist, ring‐ditch and cairn material. A rough surface of stone was thought to
be contemporary with the construction of the monument. A Large modern pit was also recorded, near
the cist and ring ditches. Cremated bone was recognised on site and retrieved through sampling of
the cist fill, although the quantities of recovered bone were very low.

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 13.2 km of dual carriageway and 7 km of single carriageway, and passed to the south
of Athenry and Kiltullagh in a general 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.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd undertook an archaeological assessment as part of the
Environmental Impact Survey of the route compiled by RPS‐MCOS in 2005. On the basis of findings
from this work Contract 2 Investigations commenced in September 2005.
4
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3 Site description and location

The site was located approximately 4 km south‐east of the village of Kiltullagh at NGR 160420/222777
and chainage 200‐250 on the Loughrea link road (junction east). The landscape consisted of a low
stony ridge gently rising from a boggy valley with extensive peat . A small road ran along the
margins of the wetland, the site was located almost immediately adjacent to the road. At the time of
excavation the land was being used for pasture although land on the opposite side of the road was
still waterlogged and boggy. This situation, on the margins of the dry land, may have been an
important factor in the location of the site. Previous land use had included a garden for a nearby, but
no longer occupied, house.

4 Aims and methodology

The objective of the work was the preservation by record of any archaeological features or deposits in
advance of the proposed road 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 of 300 sq m was exposed. The resulting surfaces were cleaned and all potential
features investigated by hand. Archaeological contexts were recorded by photograph and on
standard record sheets. Plans and sections were drawn at an appropriate scale. Registers are provided
in the Appendix. Ordnance Datum levels and feature locations were recorded using Penmap and an
total station theodolite. Environmental samples were taken from any deposits suitable for analysis or
dating.

5 Results

There were a number of intercutting features on the site and their stratigraphic sequence was fairly
straightforward. There were three main phases of archaeological activity on the site, determined by
stratigraphic relationships, although they were interpreted as occurring within a comparatively short
space of time.

Site‐wide deposits
The deposit sequence consisted of topsoil (1000) to a depth of 0.28 m overlying a grey natural subsoil
with frequent gravel inclusions (1001), which varied occasionally to light grey clay. There were also
concentrations of a yellow‐brown sandy clay (1063) overlying the natural (1001). The location of the
ring‐ditch and cist was apparently chosen to take advantage of the slightly elevated position afforded
by the slight mound of natural material (1063) above the till layer (1001). The rising of the ground
from the boggy valley and the positioning of the site at the limits of the dry land should also be
treated as significant.
5
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Phase 1: linear cut
The first archaeological activity to be identified was represented by a north/south linear feature (1038)
truncated by the ring‐ditch (1012).This was at least 8 m long and extended beyond the CPO to the
south. Linear feature (1038) was filled by two deposits: a mid brown silt secondary deposit (1039) and
light grey brown primary deposit (1040). Alder or hazel charcoal from fill (1039) was radiocarbon
dated to (UB‐7462) cal BC 993‐825. This date falls within the same range as other radiocarbon dates
from this site, and although this feature was stratigraphically earlier than other ditches, this may not
be significantly so.

Phase 2: ring ditch, cist and kerb stone footing trench, post‐holes and cairn
Phase 2 was the main phase of activity on site and included the construction of the cist (1020), the
accompanying ring‐ditch (1012), six post‐holes and a cairn (1061). The post‐holes were located below
cairn material (1061) and were arranged around the cist. A footing trench for possible kerb stones
(1058) was also discovered when the cairn material had been removed.

Ring‐ditch feature (1012) comprised two semi‐circular ditches enclosing the cist and mound with
openings to the north and to the south. The gaps in the ring‐ditch were 2.5 m wide to the north and
0.8 m to the south. The diameter of the ring‐ditch was 14 m externally and 11.5 m internally and the
ditch was 0.70 m to 1.70 m wide and 0.20 m to 0.40 m deep. The sides were generally steep with a flat
base over half the width of the ditch. It was filled bya grey‐yellow mottled clay (1027) containing
some charcoal from Alnus Glutinous, or alder, which was radiocarbon dated to (UB‐7458) cal BC 1042‐
894. Charcoal from Corylus Avellana, or common hazel, was found in fill (1023) and was dated to (UB‐
7457) cal BC 968‐810. A further 13 fills were present in various parts of the ditch, and details about
their composition and dimensions are given in Appendix 1. A similarity of deposit sequence was
noted in all sections and any difference in compaction was interpreted as a result of variation in the
natural subsoil enclosing the ditch.

The cist (1020) enclosed by the ring‐ditch was sub‐rectangular and stone‐lined measuring 1.4 m in
length by 1 m in width. It was 0.6 m deep with near vertical sides and a flat base, and was slightly
oval shape in plan. There was a ‘step’ within the cist at the eastern end at 0.15 m above the base. The
stone lining comprised upright stones and enclosed a rectangular area measuring 1 m by 1.75 m. The
tallest upright slab was 0.75 m suggesting an approximate internal volume of 1.3 m³. The roof was
present at the western end of the cist where a large slab had collapsed. The eastern end was more
disturbed with collapsed material appearing to have been formed of smaller slabs. A packing fill
(1048) was present behind the upright stone lining slabs. This fill was dark brown with frequent
inclusions of stones and charcoal from Alnus Glutinous which returned a radiocarbon estimation of
(UB‐7464) cal BC 1004‐841. The roof slabs had collapsed upon the basal fill (1036). On top of the
collapsed roof slabs was a layer of stony material (1035) and deposit (1021) was a topsoil‐like deposit
(1021).

It is possible that the cist collapsed as a result of the general weight of the cairn or possibly as a result
of ploughing. It was expected that a burial or cremation would be contained within the cist and
possibly an urn. However, only one piece of cremated bone was visible during excavation. Even after
the processing of the comprehensively sampled fills no significant deposits of cremated bone were
discovered. Two unburnt red deer phalanges were discovered within the fill (1036). The survival of
these elements is significant as it suggests any bone within the cist would have survived the
depositional processes well. The charcoal content of this fill was high and a small fragment of
carbonised hazelnut shell was found during environmental sampling analysis. This was dated to (UB‐
7641) cal BC 1050‐850. The main cist fill was also found to have much higher concentrations of quartz
6
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than other fills on site, although they all contained quartz to some degree. The quartz in this instance
may be related to the burial rites.

Six post‐holes were constructed around the cist. Charcoal from Pomoidaceae retrieved during
environmental sampling of one fill (1042) returned a radiocarbon date of (UB‐7463) cal BC 825‐794.
Another post‐hole (1052) contained charcoal of Corylus Avellana which was radiocarbon dated to (UB‐
7465) cal BC 998‐837. These posts could have supported a superstructure or served as marker posts. It
may be the date for this post‐hole reflects the material that fell into the post‐hole upon removal of the
post. The posts may have had a supportive function or have served as markers.

A narrow, curvilinear slot (1058) formed a semi‐circle with a bank of yellow‐brown clay (1063) on the
external side. This was interpreted as a footing trench for kerbstones. No stones survived within the
trench, however, a number of stone sockets within the cut indicated that the slot trench had originally
retained upright kerb stones. A sample of Salix or Populus from fill (1059) was radiocarbon dated (UB‐
7466) cal BC 1114 ‐913. However, this could also indicate the date of the material that was deposited
within the kerb stone trench once the stones had been removed.

Evidence for a cairn was limited at best, and comprised a thin layer of black stony silty clay (1061) at
only 0.05 m in depth. It included frequent small limestone rocks and pebbles, which were decayed
and possibly burned. A thin layer of sandy clay (1062) was recorded below the cairn material. This
was most noticeable between two linear Phase 3 linear features (1002) and (1004) and had been
truncated by both features. It is likely that the cairn material was subject to plough truncation and it
appears that a significant proportion collapsed into the cist.

Phase 3: later features

There were other features on site that truncated earlier ditches, although the date of this later activity
is not clear. An irregular shaped pit (1015) was identified in the north of the site and was
approximately 4.8 m in diameter and 0.55 m in depth with a flat base. This feature truncated the ring
ditch, although it may not be significantly later than Phase 2 features. The primary deposit (1017) was
a dark brown black poorly humidified organic peat, and it contained 2 chert flakes. The secondary
deposit (1016) was a yellow white calcite stratified layer formed in precipitation (S. Lancaster Pers.
Comm.). This layer confirmed that the feature had been filled with standing water, also supported by
the primary peat deposit. A small gully feature (1009) may have been utilised as some form of
drainage within pit (1015). The southern end of the feature truncated two earlier deposits of light grey
silt (1028) and yellow brown clay (1029) that appeared to have been formed by slumping cairn
material. Once this feature had dried out it had become filled with mid brown topsoil (1006).
Although this water‐filled feature appears to have been unrelated to other activity on site, over half
the assemblage of lithics from this site were found in or adjacent to this feature, and it may equally be
broadly contemporary.

Two shallow parallel ditches (1002, 1004), identified in this phase were oriented NW/SE. Both
truncated the ring‐ditch (1012) as well as linear ditch (1038) discussed in Phase 1. Where the linear
feature had been cut across the cairn material they were filled by a dark brown silty clay containing
large amounts of burnt stone and charcoal. Evidence for molluscs was discovered during soil sample
analysis, indicating the ditch may have contained damp, organic debris while it was in use. Charcoal
from Pomoidaceae was radiocarbon dated (UB‐7456) cal BC 1010‐843. Two pieces of worked chert were
recovered from the fill.

7
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The second ditch (1002) was 10 m in length, its fill (1003) consisted of redeposited cairn material and
was a dark brown to black silty clay with a high frequency of charcoal. The stones were occasionally
adhered together as if chemically or heat affected suggesting any influences on the stones happened
after deposition within the linear ditch. There were 15 finds of worked chert and flint. A fragment of
carbonised shell hazelnut was retrieved during environmental processing. This was radiocarbon
dated to (UB‐7455) cal BC 899‐801. The radiocarbon dating or flint finds does not necessarily indicate
that these ditches are contemporary with the main phase of the site as earlier residual cairn deposit
could have become incorporated into the ditch fills. No later finds were recovered from these
features, and no other parallel features were identified on this site to support the interpretation that
they may be post‐medieval furrows. These features terminated on top of the mound and could be an
attempt to incorporate an earlier monument into a later scheme of land division, although the date of
this construction is unclear.

A small layer of cobbles (1060) was identified in the north of the site adjacent to the ring‐ditch
enterence. Although no finds were recovered, this layer appeared to have been deliberately
constructed, perhaps to consolidate wet ground. Dating evidence for some later features, such as
square shaped post‐hole (1018), was easier to obtain. It had a single fill of mid brown silty clay (1019)
and included a modern piece of copper, thought to be part of an engine. A lens of oxidised soil was
also recorded above the cist. This was the result of burning in situ caused by a hearth nestled within
the depression formed by the collapsed cist. A horseshoe was located immediately below the hearth
material in accordance with local vernacular tradition.

6 Discussion

The charcoal radiocarbon dating from Ballykeeran was mainly concentrated on Phase two features.
Generally dates confirm a Later Bronze Age use of the site:

LAB CODE Site Sample Years BP Calibrated date ranges
UB‐7462 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2755±32 one sigma cal BC 923‐
Alder/Hazel sp. 842
from fill of two sigma cal BC 993‐
Linear feature 825
(1039)
UB‐7464 Ballykeeran Charcoal Alnus 2778±32 one sigma cal BC 977‐
Glut sp. from fill 857
of Cist (1048) two sigma cal BC 1004‐
841
UB‐7461 Ballykeeran Charcoal from 2809±33 one sigma cal BC 1001‐
Corylus Av from 921
fill of Cist (1036) two sigma cal BC 1050‐
850
8
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UB‐7458 Ballykeeran Charcoal Alnus 2803±31 one sigma cal BC 1001‐
Glut sp. from fill 921
of Ring‐ditch two sigma cal BC 1042‐
(1027) 894
Corylus AV sp. 919
from fill of Ring two sigma cal BC 968 –
ditch 810
(1023)
Pomidacea from 801
fill of Post‐hole two sigma cal BC 825‐
(1042) 794
Carylus Av sp. 847
from fill of Post‐ two sigma cal BC 998‐
hole (1053) 837
SalixPopu sp. 933
from fill of Kerb two sigma cal BC 1114‐
slot (1059) 913
Pomiacea sp. 988
from fill of Ditch two sigma cal BC 1010‐
(1005) 843
Corylus AV sp. 805
from fill of Ditch two sigma cal BC 899‐
(1003) 801
UB‐7487 Ballykeeran Cremated bone one sigma cal BC 801‐
600
two sigma cal BC 806‐
550
9
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Table 1 ‐ Dating A024/016 Ballykeeran

The 2 g of cremated bone that was recovered was analysed by Carmelita Troy of Headland
Archaeology Ltd, although osteological investigations were limited by the small sample size (Troy
2006). It was not possibly to ascertain sex, age or paleopathology, or determine whether the bone was
human or animal. The cremated bone returned a radiocarbon date of (UB‐7487) cal BC 806‐550.

There are three possible reasons for the small amount of recovered cremated bone: token burial,
cenotaph burial or post‐depositional disturbance and removal. Examples of cists dated to this period
have been identified as token burials but a higher degree of bone material and deliberately selected
elements could be expected in this instance. In the absence of a body, often missing and presumed
dead, cenotaph burials are often used for a community of mourners to achieve closure and allow the
deceased to become spiritually incorporated. This would not, however, account for the small quantity
of bone recovered from the cist. The evidence for disturbance was more compelling, with a collapsed
slab roof and infill material including modern debris. The complete lack of any pottery fragments or
artefactual evidence indicates that this material – perhaps an urned cremation ‐ could have been
deliberately removed.

Environmental analysis contained few indicators of domestic occupation, supporting interpretation as
a burial site. The molluscs probably originated from standing water in the ring‐ditch (See Lyons
Appendix 9). Charcoal recovered from the cist indicated a mix of dryland and wetland species
derived from the immediate locality, although the potential selection of long‐burning fragrant species
was not ruled out. Faunal remains comprised two red deer phalanges from the cist and one
unidentified shaft piece, fragmented into 15 pieces from the ring ditch. The red deer phalanges were
likely to have originated from one foot and were probably a deliberate inclusion, reflecting a regular
practice of animal bone inclusion identified at other Bronze Age burial sites.

The cist was covered by a thin layer of probable cairn material and the presence of the monument
would have been emphasised by the ring ditch, kerbstones and post‐holes. Its location may also have
been designed to be visible from the surrounding landscape maximizing its position at the edge of a
flat expanse of wetland. This positioning on raised ground within the vicinity of water is typical for
Bronze Age cist burials. No further cists were identified on site and there were no suggestions of an
associated cremation cemetery site. Later ploughing would have levelled the cairn and possibly
caused the collapse of the cist. There is no suggestion that any of the features associated with the cist
(the ring ditch, post holes and kerb stones) were earlier or later features. The ring of posts
surrounding the cist may have supported a contemporary mortuary structure, or they may have had
no functional use other than to emphasise the visibility of the monument from afar.

During the investigation of the site, 74 pieces of worked chert and flint were recovered, including 23
modified pieces of which 11 pieces had edge‐retouch. Twenty‐nine of these artefacts were recovered
from ditch fills, 2 from the primary fill of Pit (1015), 33 from deposits associated with this pit, 3 pieces
from the fills of the central cist; and 7 pieces were unstratified. The various chronological indicators
for this assemblage are mixed, and the main concentrations in the ditch and in pit (1015) include early
as well as late forms. The pieces with invasive retouch are generally datable to the period spanning
the Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (See Bjarke Ballin Appendix 7). This is significantly earlier
than the radiocarbon dates for the site would allow. The possibility that an episode of flint working
took place on the site at a much earlier period should not be discounted, with the chert objects in it
representing residuality, rather than deliberate deposition.

10
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The interpretation of Ballykeeran as a Bronze Age cist is underdetermined by the evidence, and
although based on the best available evidence, other interpretations of the site should not be ruled
out. The possibility that the mound and associated cist was a burnt mound and trough was discussed
on site; the potential for structural post holes enclosing the cist and associated kerb stones could also
indicate a sweat lodge. In addition to other features on site, the small quantity of charcoal and burnt
stone recovered from the site argued against this interpretation, and the lack of settlement debris
indicated that the site had a specialist function.

7 Archive

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:
Item Quantities
Context sheets 96
Sample sheets 21
Registers 13
Photos 171
Plans 26
Sections 65

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, Co. Cork. It is proposed that following completion of
post‐excavation work the archive is deposited with Galway County Council Archives.

11
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8 References

Ballin, T.B. 2005: The lithic assemblage from Rathdown, Rathdown Upper, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Lithic Research, unpublished report.

Butler, C. 2005: Prehistoric Flintwork. Stroud: Tempus.

Clark, J.G.D. 1936: Report on a Late Bronze Age Site in Mildenhall Fen, West Suffolk. The Antiquaries
Journal XVI, 29‐50.

Ehrenberg, M, Price, J, & Vale, V 1982 The excavation of two Bronze Age round barrows at Welsh St
Donats, S Glamorgan in Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies 29: 776‐842

Lyons, S 2006. Ballykeeran soil sample assessment. Headland Archaeology Ltd. Unpublished

McKinley, J 2000 Phoenix Rising: aspects of cremation in Roman Britain in Millett, M., Pearce, J. &
Struck, M. Burial, Society and Context in the Roman World Oxbow Oxford

Pitts, M.W., & Jacobi, R.M. 1979: Some Aspects of Change in Flaked Stone Industries of the Mesolithic
and Neolithic in Southern Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science 6, 163‐177.

Raftery, B 1994 Iron Age Burials in Ireland in Irish Antiquity 173‐204

Raftery, B 1994 Pagan Celtic Ireland: The Enigma of the Irish Iron Age Thames & Hudson London

Robertson, A 1854 Notes on the discovery of stone cists at Lesmurdie, Banffshire in Proceedings of the Society
of Antiquaries of Scotland 1: 204

RPS‐MCOS Ltd 2004 N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe Environmental Impact Statement. Published
report submitted to the Galway County Council
Tourunen, A 2007 Final report on the Faunal Remains from Ballykeeran, Co. Galway. Headland
Archaeology Ltd. Unpublished Report

Troy, C. 2006 The Cremated Human Remains from Ballykeeran E2440, Co. Galway. Headland Archaeology
Ltd. Unpublished Report

Waddell, J 1970 Irish Bronze Age Cists: A Survey in The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of
Ireland 100: 91‐139

Waddell, J 2000 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland Wordwell Dublin

12
= CPO
Athenry
E2440
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: Ballykeeran E2440

Location of excavation area
Reproduced from 1933 Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Second Edition, Six Inch to One Mile map, Galway Sheet 97
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
1060 water-filled
feature
1015
layer of
cobbles
1058
1041
1050 1058
1056
1012
1049
ring-ditch
cist pit
1002
1012 1013
ring-ditch kerb
1052 slot
1054
1004
1038
N
N
0 5m
0 20 m
post-holes

Overall site plan
1049
1020
mid-excavation plan of cist stones
1020
post-excavation plan of cist pit

0 1m

Plans of cist 1020
A B
missing
1049 stone/s 1020
Section 79: NW-facing internal elevation of cist
D C
1049 1020
Section 80: SW-facing internal elevation of cist
0 1m
Section 80
Section 79
0 4m
= Location of sections
(triangles point to face of section)

Elevations of cist 1020
SW NE S N
1053
1042
1052 1041
Section 82 Section 54
post-hole post-hole
W E W E
1058 1058
Profile 87 Profile 90
Profiles of footing trench for kerb stones
key
stone
charcoal
0 0.5 m
Section 54 N
0 1m
Profile 87
cist pit
1058
footing trench
Profile 90
Section 82

Sections of post-holes 1052 and 1041, profiles of footing trench 1058
W E
W E
1032
1031
1012
1012
1027
Section 27
Section 35
NE SW SW NE
1033
1032 1033
1033 1032
1027
1027 1012 1034
Section 37
Section 38
E W
1032
1012
1027
Section 69
Section 47
Section 47
N S
1046
Section 27 bone
1012
Section 35 1045
1047
Section 69
N key
Section 37
stone
Section 38 0 4m
animal bone
= Location of sections charcoal

0 0.5 m

Sections of ring-ditch 1012
NE SW
1005 1004
Section 33
SW NE
1004
1005
Section 6
0 0.5 m
Section 6
Section 33 N
0 4m

Sections of furrow or ditch 1004
W E
1039
1038
Section 60
W E
1039
1038
1040
Section 62
0 0.5 m
Section 62
N
Section 60 0 4m

Sections of furrow or ditch 1038
Plate 1 - View of ditch 1002 with cist 1020 in background
Plate 2 - Collapsed roof of cist 1020

Plate 3 - Base of cist 1020
Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of cist 1020

Plate 5 - East and south-facing section of pit 1015
Plate 6 - View of possible kerb slot 1058

Plate 7 - Aerial view of site, facing east
Plate 8 - Aerial view of site, facing east

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Appendix 1: Context register
Context Type Description Interpretation
Number
1000 Deposit Topsoil, Depth 0.28 m. Topsoil.
1001 Deposit Grey, gravely limestone natural. Natural.
1002 Cut Length (west/east) 10 m, Width 0.70 m, Depth 0.25 m. Ditch.
Linear in plan NW/SE, sloping sides, flat base of 0.50 m
width. Filled by (1003). Parallel to (1004).
1003 Fill Singular fill of ditch (1002). Fill of ditch.
Dark brown to black silty clay, 30% heat affected stones,
charcoal, worked chert, moderate compaction.
1004 Cut Length 16.50 m, Width 0.87m, Depth 0.37 m. Ditch.
Linear in plan NW/SE, sloping sides, flat base. Filled by
(1005). Parallel to (1002).
1005 Fill Fill of ditch (1004). Fill of ditch.
Dark brown silty clay, 80% burnt stone, 10% charcoal,
worked chert, firm compaction.
1006 Fill Third and final fill of pit (1015). Fill of pit.
Thickness 0.25 m.
Mid grey‐brown silt, 5% stones, soft compaction.
1007 Cancelled
1008 Cancelled
1009 Cut Length 2.50 m, Width 0.50 m, Depth 0.20 m. Gully/ditch.
Linear in plan, steep sides, flat base. Filled by (1011).
1010 Cancelled
1011 Fill Singular fill of gully/ditch (1009). Fill of
Grey‐brown silt and yellow‐brown ash (50/50), soft gully/ditch.
compaction.
1012 Cut Width 0.70 m‐1.60 m, Depth 0.20 m‐ 0.40 m. Ring ditch.
Shallow to steep sides, flat base.
1013 Cut Diameter 0.30 m, Depth 0.25 m. Post‐hole.
Circular to oval in plan, vertical sides, flat base. Filled
by (1014).
1014 Fill Singular fill of post‐hole (1013). Fill of post‐
Mid brown silty clay, 3‐4 ‘packing stones’, occasional hole.
burnt stones, very loose compaction.
1015 Cut Width (north/south) 4.8 m, D 0.55 m. Large pit.
Irregular circular in plan, shallow sides, flat base. Filled
by (1006), (1016), (1017).
1016 Fill Secondary fill of pit (1015). Fill of pit.
Thickness 0.15 m.
Yellow‐white possible ash, soft compaction.
1017 Fill Primary fill of pit (1015). Fill of pit.
Dark brown‐black silt, 50% stones, 50% silt & charcoal,
worked chert, soft compaction.
Sub‐square in plan, vertical sides, flat base. Filled by
(1019). Probably modern post‐hole.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1019 Fill Singular fill of modern post‐hole (1018). Fill of post‐

Mid‐brown silty clay, frequent stones, modern Cu, rare hole.
burnt wood, loose compaction.
1020 Cut Length 1.4 m, Width 1 m, Depth 0.60 m. Cist.
Sub‐rectangular in plan, vertical sides, very flat base,
‘step’ at east end 0.15 m above base. Filled by (1021),
(1035), (1036), (1048) & structure (1049). Surrounded by
ring‐ditch (1012).
1021 Fill Uppermost fill of cist (1020). Fill of cist.
Mid brown silty clay, some stones, frequent charcoal,
oxidised soil, lens of burnt soil presumed to be a hearth
where a horseshoe was found, worked chert.
Thickness 0.13 m.
Dark grey‐brown silt, stones, charcoal flecks, moderate
compaction.
1023 Fill Fill of ring‐ditch (1012). Fill of ring
Thickness 0.20 m‐0.30 m. ditch.
Black‐grey silty clay, charcoal, 25‐50% burnt stone,
moderate compaction.
White‐grey. Sheet missing. ditch.
Thickness <0.10 m. ditch.
Grey silt, no inclusions, moderate compaction.
Yellow clay. Sheet missing. ditch.
Thickness 0.20 m‐0.40 m. ditch.
Grey‐yellow clayey silt, 5‐10% charcoal, 20% stones,
worked chert, very firm compaction.
1028 Deposit Deposit associated with pit (1015). Deposit
Thickness 0.05 m. associated
Light grey silt, some stones, light compaction. with pit.
1029 Deposit Deposit associated with pit (1015). Deposit
Thickness 0.30 m. associated
Yellow‐brown clay, few stones, firm compaction. with pit.
Thickness 0.10 m. ditch.
Grey clayey silt, some stones, moderate compaction.
Brown‐grey. Sheet missing presumed cancelled. ditch.
Mid brown silt, <20% stones, charcoal flecks, loose
compaction.
Creamy white silt, loose compaction. Lens within
(1032).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grey clayey silt, <40% stones, 2% charcoal, very firm
compaction.
1035 Fill Fill of cist (1020). Probably collapsed cairn material. Fill of cist.
Thickness 0.20 m‐0.30 m.
Mid brown silty clay, 40‐50% stones, frequent charcoal
(often iron panning on the outside of charcoal), worked
chert, voids within this context, very loose compaction.
1036 Fill Fill of cist (1020). Fill of cist.
Mid brown silty clay, occasional sand patches, 40‐50%
stones, frequent charcoal (often orange stained), very
loose compaction.
Mid grey silty clay, 20% stones, charcoal flecks, firm
compaction.
1038 Cut Width 0.78 m, Depth 0.16 m. Ditch.
Linear in plan N/S, shallow to steep sides, flat base.
Filled by (1039), (1040).
Mid brown silt, occasional stones, occasional charcoal,
Light grey‐brown silt, occasional stones, firm
compaction.
Sub‐circular in plan, vertical sides, concave base. Filled
by (1042).
Dark black‐brown, 2 large burnt stones, frequent small hole.
burnt stones, frequent charcoal, loose compaction.
Purple‐grey sandy silty clay, charcoal flecks, few stones,
Yellow clay with charcoal. Sheet missing. ditch.
1045 Fill Fill of ring‐ditch (1012). Sheet missing. Similar to (1023). Fill of ring
ditch.
ditch.
ditch.
1048 Fill Fill of cist (1020). Fill of cist.
Dark black‐brown silty clay, very frequent burnt
limestone, very frequent charcoal, loose compaction.
This material is behind the stones.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
1049 Structure Length 1.75 m, Width 1 m, Depth 0.75 m. Cist stones.

Stone built cist of limestone slabs placed upright in a
rough rectangle, evidence of a slab roof, ‘entrance’ at
east end with ‘lintel’ or ‘threshold’ stone, disturbed at
west end.
Circular in plan, vertical sides, concave base. Filled by
(1051).
Dark grey silt, 10‐15% charcoal, 10% burnt/heat affected hole.
stones, firm compaction.
Sub‐circular in plan, vertical sides, flat base of 0.05 m
diameter. Filled by (1053).
Dark grey silt, 10‐15% charcoal, many burnt/heat hole.
affected stones, firm compaction.
Sub‐circular in plan, steep sides, flat base sloping to
south. Filled by (1055).
Dark grey silt, 10‐15% charcoal, many heat hole.
affected/burnt stones, firm compaction.
Sub‐circular in plan, steep east side, vertical west side,
concave to flat base. Filled by (1057).
Dark grey silt, 10‐15% charcoal, many heat hole.
affected/burnt stones, firm compaction.
1058 Cut Width 0.10 m, Depth 0.20 m. Footing trench.
Possible footing trench for kerb stones.
Semi‐circular, curvi‐linear in plan, narrow, vertical
sides, irregular rounded base. Filled by (1059).
1059 Fill Fill of footing trench (1058). Fill of footing
Grey‐brown silty clay, 10% charcoal, 25% burnt stones, trench.
very firm compaction.
1060 Deposit Length (west/east) 4.5 m, Width (north/south) 4 m. Rough stone
Stones set into the clay between larger stones sticking surface.
out of the clay, forming a rough surface. Probably
ground consolidation. North of ring‐ditch (1012).
1061 Deposit Depth 0.05 m. Cairn material.
Black stony silty clay, 50% limestone.
1062 Deposit Deposit below (1061). Stained
Salmon‐pink grey sandy clay. natural.
1063 Deposit Possible redeposit / possible natural mound of material. Natural
Yellow brown sandy clay. mound.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 2: Finds register
Stone
NMI No. Material Type Identification Description Habitat Quantity
E2440:1005: Stone Chert Struck Chert core from Headland 1
001 ditch (1004) slot 2
E2440:1017: Stone Chert Struck 5 cm x 2.5 cm flake Headland 1
001 with retouched
edge
E2440:1017: Stone Chert Struck 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm Headland 1
002 flake
E2440:1027: Stone Chert Struck 2 cm x 3 cm flake Headland 1
001 with sharp edge
from ring‐ditch
(1012) slot 5
E2440:1027: Stone Chert Struck Chert core 4 cm x 3 Headland 1
002 cm from ring‐ditch
(1012) slot 5
E2440:1005: Stone Chert Struck Core from ditch Headland 1
002 (1004) slot 2
E2440:1005: Stone Chert Struck Core & 3 flakes Headland 4 in 1 bag
003 from ditch (1004)
slot 1
E2440:1003: Stone Chert Struck 2 small flakes from Headland 2 in 1 bag
001 ditch (1002) slot 1
E2440:1003: Stone Chert Struck 9 small flakes & 1 Headland 10 in 1
002 scraper from ditch bag
(1002) slot 3
E2440:1003: Stone Chert Struck 3 flakes from ditch Headland 3 in 1 bag
003 (1002) slot 4
E2440:1024: Stone Chert Struck Small scraper from Headland 1
001 ring‐ditch (1012)
slot 2
E2440:1024: Stone Chert Struck Core from ring‐ Headland 1
002 ditch (1012) slot 2
E2440:1035: Stone Chert Struck Flake Headland 1
001
E2440:1021: Stone Chert Struck 1 large & 1 small Headland 2 in 1 bag
002 flake
E2440:1017: Stone Chert Struck 3 cm x 4 cm scraper Headland 1
003
E2440:1027: Stone Chert Struck 2 cores & 1 flake Headland 3 in 1 bag
003 from ring‐ditch
(1012) slot 13
E2440:1023: Stone Flint Struck 2 cm x 1.5 cm lovely Headland 1
001 thumbnail scraper
E2440:1028: Stone Chert Struck 1 bag of chert flakes Headland 32 in 1
001 & flint & 1 lovely flint bag
thumbnail scraper
E2440:1007: Stone Chert Struck Flakes Headland 7 in 1 bag
001
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Metal
Excavation Material Type Identification Description Habitat Quantity
No.
E2440:1019: Metal Cu Cu alloy Fragment Headland 1
001
E2440:1021: Metal Fe Horse‐shoe Horse‐shoe from Headland 1
001 below hearth

Appendix 3: Sample register
Sample Context Amount Description
Number Number
E2440:001 1027 10 l Charcoal rich, silty grey‐yellow, fill of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 5
E2440:002 1035 10 l Fill from east end of pit/cist (1020), possible fragments of burnt
bone
E2440:003 1035 10 l Fill from west end of pit/cist (1020), fragments of possible burnt
bone
E2440:004 1003 10 l Fill of ditch (1002), West end slot 1
E2440:005 1003 10 l Fill of ditch (1002), East end slot 4
E2440:006 1005 10 l Fill of ditch (1004), West end slot 2
E2440:007 1005 10 l Fill of ditch (1004), East end slot 7
E2440:008 1036 Burnt bone from pit/cist (1020)
E2440:009 1023 10 l Fill of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 2
E2440:011 1036 100 l Lots of fill from pit/cist (1020)
E2440:012 1036 2 animal toe bones from pit/cist (1020)
E2440:013 1039 10 l Fill of ditch (1038), brown silty sand with red mineral and snails
E2440:014 1042 10 l Fill of post‐hole (1041)
E2440:022 1045 Animal bone from ring‐ditch (1012) slot 10
E2440:023 1044 Iron‐panned charcoal sample from ring‐ditch (1012) slot 11
E2440:024 1048 20 l Fill behind stones (1049) in cist (1020)
E2440:025 1059 20 l Fill of footing trench (1058), possible kerb stone slot

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 4: Photo register
Photo Direction Description Initials/date
no. facing
121 Pre‐excavation shot, morning B.C. 27.02.06
122 Pre‐excavation shot, morning B.C. 27.02.06
123 Pre‐excavation shot, lunchtime B.C. 27.02.06
126 Pre‐excavation shots of burnt spread B.C. 27.02.06
130 Pre‐excavation shots of site B.C. 27.02.06
131 Pre‐excavation shots of site B.C. 27.02.06
132 East West‐facing section of (1002) B.C. 27.02.06
133 East West‐facing section of (1002) B.C. 27.02.06
134 Working in the snow B.C. 01.03.06
139 South North‐facing section of pit (1015) N.K. 01.03.06
141 South‐east North/west facing section of linear (1004) slot 1 L.C. 01.03.06
142 North‐west South/east facing section of linear (1004) slot 1 L.C. 01.03.06
143 South‐east North/west facing section of linear (1004) slot 2 L.C. 01.03.06
144 North‐west South/east facing section of linear (1004) slot 2 N.K. 01.03.06
145 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 1 B.C. 02.03.06
146 South‐west North/east facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 1 B.C. 02.03.06
147 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 2 B.C. 02.03.06
148 South‐west North/east facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 2 B.C. 02.03.06
149 Vertical Shot of burnt soil in centre of (1020) B.C. 02.03.06
150 Vertical Post/excavation shot of posthole (1013) B.C. 02.03.06
New card
3 North South‐facing section of pit (1015) N.K. 03.03.06
4 West East‐facing section of pit (1015) N.K. 03.03.06
5 North‐west East & south‐facing sections of (1015) N.K. 03.03.06
6 South‐east North/west facing section of linear (1004) slot 6 B.Cotter 03.03.06
7 North‐west South/east facing of linear (1004) slot 6 B.Cotter 03.03.06
9 East West‐facing section of linear (1002) slot 1 B.C. 03.03.06
12 West East‐facing section of linear (1002) slots 1 & 3 B.C. 03.03.06
13 West East‐facing section of linear (1002) slots 1 & 3 B.C. 03.03.06
14 South North‐facing section of posthole (1018) B.C. 06.03.06
15 Vertical Post‐excavation shot of posthole (1018) B.C. 06.03.06
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
16 East West‐facing section of linear (1004) slot 5 M.H. 06.03.06

17 West East‐facing section of linear (1004) slot 5 M.H. 06.03.06
18 North‐east Post‐excavation shot of linear (1004) slot 5 M.H. 06.03.06
19 North‐west South/east facing section of linear (1004) slot 7 B.Cotter 06.03.06
20 South‐east North/west facing section of linear (1004) slot 7 B.Cotter 06.03.06
21 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 4 J.W. 06.03.06
22 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 4 J.W. 06.03.06
23 South Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
24 North Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
25 South‐east Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
26 North‐west Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
27 West Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
28 East Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
29 West East‐facing section of pit (1015) N.K. 07.03.06
30 North‐west East‐facing section of pit (1015) N.K. 07.03.06
31 North‐west South/east facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 5 S.C. 07.03.06
32 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 5 S.C. 07.03.06
33 North South/facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 6 M.H. 07.03.06
34 South North/facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 6 M.H. 07.03.06
35 Vertical Post‐excavation of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 6 M.H. 07.03.06
38 South Mid‐excavation of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
39 West West end of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
40 West West wall and slabs of cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
41 West Pre‐excavation of possible separate chamber at the B.C. 07.03.06
west side of (1020)
42 South‐east South/east wall of stones in cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
43 North‐east North/east wall of stones in cist (1020) B.C. 07.03.06
44 Working shot B.C. 07.03.06
46 Jim working B.C. 07.03.06
50 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 7 B.Cotter 07.03.06
51 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 7 B.Cotter 07.03.06
54 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 9 N.K. 08.03.06
55 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 8 N.K. 08.03.06
56 South Base of cist (1020) B.C. 08.03.06
57 North Base of cist (1020) B.C. 08.03.06
60 East Close‐up of east entrance of cist (1020) B.C. 08.03.06
61 West Close‐up of west end of cist (1020) B.C. 08.03.06
62 East West‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 1 S.C. 08.03.06
63 West East‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 1 S.C. 08.03.06
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
64 West Post‐excavation shot of cist (1020) B.C. 27.02.06

66 East Post‐excavation shot of cist (1020) B.C. 27.02.06
68 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 8 N.K. 09.03.06
69 West East‐facing section of pit (1015) thin section B.W. 10.03.06
70 West Monolith thins B.W. 10.03.06
73 West Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
76 North Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
77 East Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
78 South Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
79 Vertical Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
80 Vertical Post‐excavation of cist structure (1020) B.C. 09.03.06
81 South North‐facing section of linear (1038) slot 1 S.C. 10.03.06
82 North South‐facing section of linear (1038) slot 1 S.C. 10.03.06
85 North South‐facing section of linear (1038) slot 3 S.C. 10.03.06
86 West East‐facing section of posthole (1041) B.C. 10.03.06
89 East West facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 10 N.K. 10.03.06
90 Vertical Terminus of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 10 N.K. 10.03.06
91 North Slot 8 of linear (1004) & slot 4 of (1038) ‘L’ section S.C. 13.03.06
92 East Slot 8 of linear (1004) & slot 4 of (1038) ‘L’ section S.C. 13.03.06
93 North‐east South/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 12 M.H. 13.03.06
94 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 12 M.H. 13.03.06
95 East Post‐excavation shot of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 12 M.H. 13.03.06
96 South North‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 3 D.R. 13.03.06
97 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 3 D.R. 13.03.06
98 South‐east North/west facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot S.C. 13.03.06
13
99 North‐west South/east facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 13 S.C. 13.03.06
100 South‐east North/west facing terminus of ring‐ditch (1012) slot S.C. 14.03.06
5
101 North South‐facing section of ring‐ditch (1012) slot 11 A.B. 14.03.06
104 South Terminus of ring‐ditch (1012) in slot 11 A.B. 14.03.06
105 South Terminus of ring‐ditch (1012) in slot 11 A.B. 14.03.06
106 Vertical Site shot from cherry picker located on west baulk D.R. 20.03.06
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

128 Vertical Stone sockets, possible outliers of kerb stones (1058) D.R. 20.03.06
129 Vertical Stone sockets (1058) further to the east D.R. 20.03.06
130 South More of (1058) D.R. 20.03.06
131 South Post‐excavation shot of (1020) D.R. 20.03.06
132 East Post‐excavation shot of (1020) D.R. 20.03.06
133 North Post‐excavation shot of (1020) D.R. 20.03.06
134 West Post‐excavation shot of (1020) D.R. 20.03.06
135 East West‐facing section of posthole (1050) D.R. 20.03.06
136 Vertical Posthole (1052) D.R. 20.03.06
137 East West‐facing section of posthole (1054) D.R. 20.03.06
138 Vertical Posthole (1056) D.R. 20.03.06
139 Vertical Relationship between (1020) & (1058) D.R. 20.03.06
140 South Relationship between (1020) & (1058) D.R. 20.03.06
141 South Relationship between (1020) & (1058) D.R. 20.03.06
142 Vertical Cobbled area B.C. 20.03.06

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 5: Drawing register
Drawing Drawing Description Scale Initials/date
no type
1 Section North‐facing section of (1015) 1:10 N.K. 01.03.06
2 Plan Plan of (1015) 1:50 N.K. 01.03.06
3 Section North/west‐facing section of (1004) slot 1 1:10 L.C. 02.03.06
4 Section South/east‐facing of (1004) slot 1 1:10 L.C. 02.03.06
5 Section North/west‐facing section of (1004) slot 2 1:10 L.C. 02.03.06
6 Section South/east facing of (1004) slot 2 1:10 L.C. 02.03.06
7 Profile North/south profile through (1013) 1:10 B.C. 02.03.06
8 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1013) 1:10 B.C. 02.03.06
9 Section South/east‐facing section of (1004) slot 3 1:10 L.C. 03.03.06
10 Section East‐facing section of (1015) 1:10 N.K. 03.03.06
11 Section South‐facing section of (1015) 1:10 N.K. 03.03.06
12 Section North‐facing section of (1018) 1:10 B.C. 06.03.06
14 Section West‐facing section of (1002) slot 1 1:10 D.M. 06.03.06
15 Section East‐facing section of (1002) slot 2 1:10 D.M. 06.03.06
16 Section West‐facing section of (1002) slot 2 & (1020) 1:10 D.M. 06.03.06
17 Section East‐facing section of (1002) slot 3 1:10 D.M. 06.03.06
18 Section West‐facing section of (1002) slot 3 1:10 D.M. 06.03.06
19 Section East‐facing section of (1004) slot 5 1:10 M.H. 06.03.06
20 Section West‐facing section of (1004) slot 5 1:10 M.H. 06.03.06
21 Section South/west‐facing section of (1012) slot 2 1:10 A.B. 07.03.06
22 Section North/east‐facing section of (1012) slot 2 1:10 A.B. 07.03.06
23 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 3 1:10 A.B. 07.03.06
24 Section North‐facing section of (1012) slot 3 1:10 A.B. 07.03.06
25 Section East‐facing section of (1015) 1:20 N.K. 07.03.06
26 Section North‐facing section of (1012) slot 4 1:10 J.W. 07.03.06
27 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 4 1:10 J.W. 07.03.06
28 Section Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 4 1:10 J.W. 07.03.06
29 Section North‐facing section of (1012) slot 6 1:10 M.H. 07.03.06
30 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 6 1:10 M.H. 07.03.06
31 Section North/west‐facing section of (1004) slot 7 1:10 B.P.C. 06.03.06
32 Section South/east‐facing section of (1004) slot 7 1:10 B.P.C. 06.03.06
33 Section North/west‐facing section of (1004) slot 6 1:10 B.P.C. 04.03.06
34 Section South/east‐facing section of (1004) slot 6 1:10 B.P.C. 04.03.06
35 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 7 1:10 B.P.C. 07.03.06
36 Section North‐facing section of (1012) slot 7 1:10 B.P.C. 07.03.06
37 Section South/east‐facing section of (1012) slot 5 1:10 S.C. 08.03.06
38 Section North/west‐facing section of (1012) slot 5 1:10 S.C. 08.03.06
39 Plan Post‐excavation plan of linear (1004) 1:20 L.C. 08.03.06
40 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 5 1:20 S.C. 08.03.06
41 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 7 1:20 B.P.C. 07.03.06
42 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 6 1:20 M.H. 08.03.06
43 Section South/east‐facing section of (1002) slot 4 1:10 L.C. 08.03.06
44 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slots 2 & 3 1:20 L.C. 09.03.06
45 Plan Post‐excavation plan of linear (1002) 1:20 L.C. 09.03.06
46 Section North/west‐facing section of (1012) slot 9 1:10 N.K. 09.03.06
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
47 Section North/facing section of (1012) slot 8 1:10 N.K. 09.03.06

48 Section West/facing section of (1012) slot 1 1:10 S.C. 09.03.06
49 Section East/facing section of (1012) slot 1 1:10 S.C. 09.03.06
51 Plan Mid‐excavation plan of (1020) 1:20 B.C. 09.03.06
54 Section Easr‐facing section of (1041) 1:10 B.C. 10.03.06
56 Section North‐facing section of (1038) slot 1 1:10 S.C. 10.03.06
57 Section South‐facing section of (1038) slot 1 1:10 S.C. 10.03.06
59 Section North‐facing section of (1038) slot 2 1:10 S.C. 10.03.06
61 Section North/facing section of (1038) slot 3 1:10 S.C. 10.03.06
66 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 12 1:10 M.H. 13.03.06
67 Section North‐facing section of (1012) slot 12 1:10 M.H. 13.03.06
68 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 12 1:20 M.H. 13.03.06
69 Section West‐facing section of (1012) slot 10 1:10 N.K. 13.03.06
70 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slots 1 & 10 1:20 N.K. 13.03.06
71 Section ‘L’ section of (1004) truncating (1038) 1:10 S.C. 13.03.06
72 Plan Post‐excavation plan of ‘L’ section showing 1:20 S.C. 13.03.06
(1004) truncating (1038)
73 Section North/west‐facing section of (1012) slot 13 1:10 S.C. 13.03.06
74 Section South/east‐facing section of (1012) slot 13 1:10 S.C. 13.03.06
76 Plan Plan of extension of slot 5 to terminus 1:20 S.C. 13.03.06
77 Section South‐facing section of (1012) slot 11 1:10 A.B. 14.03.06
78 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1012) slot 11 1:20 A.B. 14.03.06
79 Section North‐facing section elevation of (1049) 1:20 B.C. 14.03.06
80 Section South‐facing elevation of (1049) 1:20 B.C. 14.03.06
81 Section West‐facing section of (1050) 1:10 D.R. 20.03.06
82 Section East‐facing section of (1052) 1:10 D.R. 20.03.06
83 Section West‐facing section of (1054) 1:10 D.R. 20.03.06
84 Profile East/west profile of (1056) 1:10 D.R. 20.03.06
85 Plan Post‐excavation plan of (1020), (1050), 1:20 D.R. 20.03.06
(1052), (1054) & (1056)
86 Profile East/west profile of (1058) no1 1:10 L.C. 22.03.06

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 6: Faunal Report
By Auli Tourunen

A total of three specimens of animal bones were recovered from Ballykeeran, Co. Galway. Full
excavation was conducted on this site between February 2006 and March 2006. This exposed the
supposed burnt mound and was revealed to be a thin layer cairn material over a cist with an
associated ring‐ditch and other linear ditches. The human remains from Ballykeeran consist of burnt
bone from within the stone lined trough/cist (feature 1020) of the burnt mound, probably dating to
the Bronze Age (analysed by Carmelita Troy, Headland Archeology Ltd). The animal bones derive
from the trough/cist (feature 1020, context 1036) and from the fill of the ring‐ditch (1045).

Context Species Element NISP

1036 Red deer Phal 1 2
1045 Unidentified Shaft 1 (in 15 pieces)
Total 3
Table 1. Species and anatomical representation of sample (NISP).
Figure 1. Red deer phalanges.
Due to the small size of the material, no detailed analysis of the material was possible. The red deer
phalanges are likely to derive from one foot. As they were recovered from the same context as
cremated bones, they might represent grave goods deliberately placed with the burial itself. There are
some previous examples of animal bones in the Bronze Age burials (McCormick 1985, 39‐40). Most
often, these consist of pig tusks and shells, usually perforated (ibid.).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
References:

McCormick, F 1985 ‘Faunal remains from prehistoric Irish burials’ J Irish Archaeol III, 6, 37‐48.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 7: Lithics Report
By Torben Bjarke Ballin

INTRODUCTION
In 2005, Headland Archaeology Ltd. carried out pre‐construction testing on Site E2440, in the
Townland of Ballykeeran, Co. Galway (Wilkins 2006). During this work, the plough truncated
remains of a supposed burnt mound were identified. A full archaeological excavation was carried out
on the site between February and March 2006. This exposed a thin layer of cairn material over a cist
with an associated ring ditch. Other linear features were thought to pre‐date or post‐date the cairn.
The site also included a large modern pit and a rough surface of stone. Below, the site is generally
referred to as Ballykeeran.
During the investigation of the site, 74 pieces of worked chert and flint were recovered.
Twenty‐nine lithic artefacts were recovered from ditch fills, 35 from pit 1015 or deposits associated
with this pit, and three pieces from the fills of the central cist; seven pieces are unstratified. The
purpose of the present report is to characterise and, to the degree this is possible, date and interpret
the lithic finds. The evaluation of the lithic assemblage is based upon a detailed catalogue of all the
lithic finds from Ballykeeran (attached), and the artefacts in this report are referred to by their number
(CAT no.) in the catalogue.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE ASSEMBLAGE
From the excavation at the Ballykeeran site, the following artefacts were retrieved:

Debitage
Chips 4
Flakes 36
Blades 2
Microblades 1
Indeterminate pieces 1
Total debitage 44

Cores
Opposed‐platform cores 1
Irregular cores 5
Core fragments 1
Total cores 7

Tools
Scale‐flaked knives 2
Thumbnail‐scrapers 2
Short end‐scrapers 2
Side‐ & side‐/end‐scrapers 1
Piercers 1
Pieces with curved
truncations 1
Notched pieces 1
Denticulates 1
Pieces w invasive retouch 1
Pieces w edge‐retouch 11
Total tools 23

TOTAL 74
Table 1. General artefact list.

The definitions of the main lithic categories are as follows:

Chips: All flakes and indeterminate pieces the greatest dimension (GD) of which is ≤ 10 mm.
Flakes: All lithic artefacts with one identifiable ventral (positive or convex) surface, GD > 10 mm and L
< 2W (L = length; W = width).
Indeterminate pieces: Lithic artefacts which cannot be unequivocally identified as either flakes or cores.
Generally the problem of identification is due to irregular breaks, frost‐shattering or fire‐crazing.
Chunks are larger indeterminate pieces, and in, for example, the case of quartz, the problem of
identification usually originates from a piece flaking along natural planes of weakness rather than
flaking in the usual conchoidal way.
Blades and microblades: Flakes where L ≥ 2W. In the case of blades W > 8 mm, in the case of
microblades W ≤ 8 mm.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cores: Artefacts with only dorsal (negative or concave) surfaces – if three or more flakes have been
detached, the piece is a core, if fewer than three flakes have been detached, the piece is a split or
flaked pebble.
Tools: Artefacts with secondary retouch (modification).

Raw materials
The assemblage comprises 72 pieces of worked chert and two flint artefacts. In general, Irish black
chert occurs in a number of qualities, with some being relatively fine‐grained and some more coarse‐
grained. Some cherts are homogeneous, whereas others are riddled with intersecting planes of
weakness, with the latter causing the raw material to flake in an uncontrollable manner. The chert
from the present site is generally of good quality: it is fine‐grained, with relatively few planes of
weakness, and, in the main, it has excellent flaking properties. The Irish chert is associated with the
island’s Carboniferous Limestone, explaining its total dominance at Ballykeeran. The western part of
Co. Galway has a relatively mixed geology, consisting of a sequence of sedimentary, igneous and
metamorphic rock forms, whereas the geology east of Lough Corrib is almost exclusively
Carboniferous Limestone, with the occasional occurrence of chert (Sevastopulo & Jackson 2001).

Although this site is located approximately 30 km from the coast of Galway Bay, the flint may have
been collected along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, as seems to have been the practice at Ferriter’s
Cove in Co. Kerry (Woodman et al. 1999, 31; Woodman & Griffiths 1988). The collected nodules
would probably have been small abraded pebbles, deriving from submerged Cretaceous deposits.
Yet, CAT 81 has fresh cortex along one lateral side, suggesting procurement from a primary source
(chalk). This, however, may be the remains of an internal ‘chalk ball’, rather than actual cortex, and
the piece may, after all, derive from a local source.

Debitage
The debitage includes four chips, 36 flakes, two blades, one microblade and one indeterminate piece
(Table 1). All are in chert. Most of the blanks (c. 90%) were manufactured by the application of hard
percussion, with a small number of pieces clearly being bipolar. No soft percussion blanks were
identified. Half of the blanks have plain platforms, with most of the other half being facetted. Two
pieces have ‘corticated’ platforms, but most likely the so‐called ‘cortication’ is the coated surfaces of
internal planes of weakness, rather than ‘proper’ external cortex. Untrimmed and trimmed platform‐
edges are approximately equally common.

Group
Quantity
total
Hard technique 16
18
Bipolar technique 2

Corticated platform 2
Plain platform 8 16
Facetted platform 6

Untrimmed platf.‐edge 9
16
Trimmed platf.‐edge 7
Table 2. Definable flakes and blades: technological attributes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The application of robust percussion techniques (hard and bipolar), in conjunction with the
soft/brittle character of the chert, resulted in the fragmentation of many bulbar ends. Four blanks are
characterised by split‐bulb fractures (Accident Siret; Inizan et al. 1992), and eight by platform collapse.

Cores
The assemblage includes seven cores, namely one opposed‐platform core, five irregular (or multi‐
directional) cores, and one core fragment. The opposed‐platform core (CAT 34) is the collection’s
largest core (69 x 68 x 53 mm), and it has one plain and one faceted platform. None of its platform‐
edges has been trimmed. The character of its cortex suggests that it may have been procured in the
form of a large cobble. One face was probably created by the piece splitting along the surfaces of a
relatively large fossil.

The irregular cores are mostly of roughly the same general size (av. dimensions: 43 x 36 x 27 mm), but
one (CAT 33) is somewhat larger (88 x 52 x 38 mm). CAT 56 has surviving parts of trimmed platform‐
edges, but in general these cores were not prepared. Several have soft cortication, indicating that they
were probably quarried from the local Carboniferous Limestone. It has not been possible to define the
parent core of the solitary core fragment (CAT 55).

Tools
Twenty‐three modified pieces were retrieved during the excavations at Ballykeeran, namely two
scale‐flaked knives, five scrapers, one piercer, one truncated piece, one notched piece, one denticulate,
one piece with invasive retouch, and 11 pieces with edge‐retouch. This results in a tool ratio of 31%,
which is a very high figure. The tool ratio of sieved assemblages rarely exceeds 4%, unless the site is a
specialised camp where little or no knapping took place (Ballin 1999). In the present case, the high
tool ratio was probably mainly caused by the lack of consistent sieving (the resulting lower number of
chips would automatically cause the tool ratio to rise). Apart from two thumbnail‐scrapers, all
modified pieces are in chert.

Scale‐flaked knives: This form of knives are characterised by having had a cutting‐edge formed by the
application of semi‐invasive retouch, and where this retouch is not extensive enough to give the piece
a plano‐convex cross‐section (Healy 1996, 76; Clark 1936, 47). The site’s two scale‐flaked knives are
very different, as one (CAT 46) is based on a large hard‐hammer flake, whereas the other (CAT 90) is
based on a regular, thin blade. The former is intact (51 x 28 x 9 mm), and has full retouch along one
lateral side, whereas the latter is a medial fragment (17 x 13 x 2 mm), with sporadic retouch along one
lateral side.

Scrapers: This category includes two thumbnail‐scrapers in flint (CAT 51, 81), two short end‐scrapers
(CAT 52, 86), and one side‐/end‐scraper (CAT 21). Based on the examination of the scrapers from
Dalmore on Lewis (Ballin 2002) and other Early Bronze Age assemblages, it was suggested to define
the popular term ‘thumbnail scraper’ as a scraper the greatest dimension of which ≤ 23 mm; this size
category of scraper is particularly common in Beaker contexts, but only thumbnail scrapers with
regular scraper‐edges, manufactured by the application of pressure‐flaking, are diagnostic of this
period. The two thumbnail‐scrapers from Ballykeeran have average dimensions of 21 x 19 x 8 mm.
Both have a convex distal working‐edge, but that of CAT 51 is relatively acute, and that of CAT 81 is
steep. Both scrapers also have additional lateral blunting. CAT 51 is based on a small hard‐hammer
flake, and CAT 81 on a small bipolar core.
The two short end‐scrapers are slightly larger versions of the same morphological scraper type (av.
dim.: 33 x 25 x 11 mm). They are based on hard‐hammer flakes. CAT 52 is intact, and has a neat
convex, steep scraper‐edge at the distal end, whereas the scraper‐edge of CAT 86 has broken off. In
this case, the function of the piece is revealed by the survival of one curved corner of the working‐
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
edge. Neither has lateral blunting. CAT 21 is a small (23 x 18 x 9 mm) side‐/end‐scraper based on a
thermal flake. It has one distal and one lateral working‐edge, and both are relatively straight.

Piercers: One (CAT 30) expedient piercer was recovered (22 x 16 x 6 mm). It is a small hard‐hammer
flake, which has had the corner between the platform remnant and one lateral side turned into a
crude piercer tip. It also has sporadic blunting at various points of its circumference.

Truncated pieces: During the investigation of the Ballykeeran site, one truncated piece was retrieved
(CAT 49). It is a large hard‐hammer flake (46 x 27 x 15 mm), which has had its distal right corner
blunted by a curved retouch, supplemented by sporadic blunting of the right lateral side. The left
lateral side represents the cutting‐edge of the piece, and towards the proximal end it has had four
small serrations formed, possibly an (abandoned?) attempt to transform the implement into a saw. A
larger notch near the platform remnant may be a hafting notch.

Notched pieces: CAT 39 is a small indeterminate piece, or chunk (36 x 24 x 20 mm), which carries two
opposed notches at one end. The concavities are retouched notches, rather than single‐removal
notches, and they have chords of approximately 5 mm. The function of the piece is unknown. Other
notches probably represent post‐depositional damage.

Denticulated pieces: Most likely, the category ‘denticulated pieces’ covers a variety of artefact types,
such as various core and tool types. It is possible that CAT 54 is an expedient knife. It is based on a
relatively large bipolar flake (31 x 32 x 14 mm), and it has one modified lateral side, which has been
blunted by alternating, uneven or denticulated retouch, and one opposed sharp edge.

Pieces with invasive retouch: This category only includes one implement, namely CAT 87 (30 x 25 x 7
mm). It is the proximal‐medial fragment of a hard‐hammer flake, which has had both lateral sides,
ventral face, modified by the application of invasive retouch. The lateral edges have some similarity
to the crushed ridges of bipolar cores, but with a thickness of only 7 mm, it is unlikely that the flake
was chosen as raw material for bipolar reduction. Most probably, it is an abandoned rough‐out for a
Neolithic or Bronze Age arrowhead.

Pieces with edge‐retouch: This tool group comprises 11 pieces. They differ considerably in size (GD of
intact pieces 20‐42 mm; av. dim.: 29 x 24 x 9 mm) and shape, with eight pieces being on hard‐hammer
flakes, one on a bipolar flake, and two on indeterminate pieces. This tool group probably includes
artefacts and fragments of artefacts with different functions, such as expedient scrapers and knives.

TECHNOLOGY
The different forms of cortex observed during the examination of the chert assemblage, suggest the
procurement of raw material from a number of sources. Basically, three forms of cortex was noticed,
namely abraded cortex, soft cortex, and a form which is thought to represent the coated surfaces of
internal planes of weakness. The latter is uninformative, but abrasive cortex defines the parent piece
as a pebble or cobble, whereas soft cortex defines it as a nodule from a primary source. Chert
pebbles/cobbles may have been collected from river banks and sea shores, as well as from the glacial
till, but most of the chert from Ballykeeran was probably quarried from the local Carboniferous
Limestone. The two flint scrapers are probably based on small flint pebbles, collected along the shores
of the Atlantic Ocean. The soft cortex of CAT 81 may be the remains of an internal chalk ball rather
than actual exterior cortex.
The presence of true blades, such as CAT 22, 83, and 90 (flake CAT 73 was probably intended
to become a blade but did not reach the desired length) in an assemblage dominated by flakes
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
presents two main interpretations: either the lithic finds are a mixture of material from two different
lithic traditions, or the assemblage represents a combined flake/blade industry. The combination of
hard‐hammer flakes and hard‐hammer blades would be consistent with the composition of, for
example, a Late Neolithic assemblage. The only pieces which appear out of place in this respect are
the two thumbnail scrapers in flint (CAT 51, 81), which would fit best into an Early Bronze Age
scenario.
Practically all unmodified and modified blanks were detached by the application of hard
percussion, with a small number having been manufactured in bipolar technique (c. 5%). No soft
percussion blanks were detached. A number of blades and flakes were borderline cases between
pieces with pronounced bulbs and pieces with ventral lips, but this is probably due to the chert being
relatively soft, causing the bulbs‐of‐percussion to become slightly less pronounced than would have
been the case, had the raw material been flint. Bipolar technique was definitely applied at
Ballykeeran, but this relatively violent approach is generally ill‐suited for the reduction of chert, as
this material is not only soft, but also brittle (cf. Ballin 2006; 2007). The brittleness causes the chert
cores and blanks to disintegrate to a higher extent than if, for example, hard percussion had been
applied (as demonstrated by the many cases of platform collapse).
The fact that almost half of the blanks have trimmed platform‐edges prove that some degree
of core preparation took place. However, robust trimming may have been the only form of
preparation, and not all cores were prepared prior to commencement of blank production. The many
faceted platform remnants are probably not evidence of additional preparation, but simply represent
old flake scars of former core‐sides, which became platforms when the core was re‐orientated.
Modification of blanks into tools was carried out mostly by simple edge‐retouch, but the
scale‐flaked working‐edges of two knives (CAT 46, 90), as well as the execution of possible arrowhead
rough‐out CAT 87, are proof that invasive retouch was also applied.

DATING
The assemblage does not include any strictly diagnostic finds, but a number of artefacts are indicative
of slightly broader dates. The pieces with invasive retouch (CAT 46, 87, 90) are generally datable to
the period Early Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (cf. Butler 2005). According to Clark (1936, 47), the
modification of artefacts by the application of invasive retouch was abandoned at the end of the Early
Bronze Age. The site’s blades, on the other hand, can be no later than the early part of the Late
Neolithic period (eg, Pitts & Jacobi 1979; Ballin forthcoming). The two thumbnail‐scrapers are likely to
be of an Early Bronze Age date, although 1) some traditional thumbnail scrapers may be experienced
at the end of the Late Neolithic period, and 2) in areas characterized by the absence of flint in larger
nodules small scrapers may be experienced throughout the prehistoric period (discussed in Ballin
2005). However, the acute, pressure‐flaked working‐edge of CAT 51 is characteristic of Early Bronze
Age thumbnail scrapers.
The various chronological indicators are clearly mixed, and the main concentrations in the
ditch and in and around pit 1015 include early as well as late forms, such as true blades and flint
thumbnail scrapers. However, the chert assemblage appears relatively homogeneous, and the
simultaneous production of elongated flakes and hard‐hammer blades, in conjunction with the
application of invasive retouch, would be consistent with a Late Neolithic date (see for example
Eogan 1963). If a general pre‐Bronze Age date was accepted for the chert assemblage, the two
thumbnail‐scrapers are later intrusion, and they may relate to activities around the Early Bronze Age
cist burial. If the ditch was constructed at the same time as the cist (which is to be expected; cf.
O’Kelly 1989, 189‐210), the chert objects in it represent residuality, rather than deliberate deposition.
These interpretational details depend on whether it is possible to date the site’s structural elements
more precisely (cist, ditch and pit), for example by radiocarbon dating.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ballin, T.B. 1999: Kronologiske og Regionale Forhold i Sydnorsk Stenalder. En analyse med udgangspunkt i
bopladserne ved Lundevågen (Farsundprosjektet). Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Institute of
Prehistoric Archaeology, Aarhus University.

Ballin, T.B. 2002: The lithic assemblage from Dalmore, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles. Lithic Research,
unpublished report.

Ballin, T.B. 2005: The lithic assemblage from Rathdown, Rathdown Upper, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Lithic Research, unpublished report.

Ballin, T.B. 2006: The lithic assemblage from Midross, Loch Lomond, Argyll. Lithic Research, unpublished
report.

Ballin, T.B. forthcoming: The British Late Neolithic ‘Levalloisian’, and other operational schemas from
the later prehistoric period. A discussion based on finds from the Stoneyhill Project,
Aberdeenshire. Proceedings of Conference held by the British Neolithic Studies Group, at the British
Museum 2005.

Ballin, T.B., Johnson, M. 2007: A Mesolithic Chert Assemblage from Glentaggart, South Lanarkshire,
Scotland: Chert Technology and Procurement Strategies. Lithics 26.

Butler, C. 2005: Prehistoric Flintwork. Stroud: Tempus.

Clark, J.G.D. 1936: Report on a Late Bronze Age Site in Mildenhall Fen, West Suffolk. The Antiquaries
Journal XVI, 29‐50.

Eogan, G. 1963: A Neolithic Habitation‐Site and Megalithic Tomb in Townleyhall Townland, Co.
Louth. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland XCIII, 37‐81.

Healy, F. 1996: The Fenland Project, Number 11: The Wissey Embayment: Evidence for Pre‐Iron Age
Occupation Accumulated Prior to the Fenland Project. East Anglian Archaeology, Report 78.

Inizan, M.‐L., Roche, H., & Tixier, J. 1992: Technology of Knapped Stone. Préhistoire de la Pierre Taillée
3. Meudon: Cercle de Recherches et dʹEtudes Préhistoriques.

OʹKelly, M.J. 1989: Early Ireland. An Introduction to Irish Prehistory. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.

Pitts, M.W., & Jacobi, R.M. 1979: Some Aspects of Change in Flaked Stone Industries of the Mesolithic
and Neolithic in Southern Britain. Journal of Archaeological Science 6, 163‐177.

Sevastopulo, G.D., & Wyse Jackson, P.N. 2001: Carboniferous (Dinantian). In C.H. Holland (ed.): The
Geology of Ireland, 241‐288. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press.

Wilkins, B. 2006: N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2. Preliminary report on archaeological
investigations at Site A024/016, a cist and ring‐ditch in the Townland of Ballykeeran, Co. Galway.
Headland Archaeology Ltd., unpublished report.

Woodman, P.C., & Griffiths, D.A. 1988: The archaeological importance of flint sources in Munster.
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 252, 66‐72.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Woodman, P.C., Anderson, E., & Finlay, N. 1999: Excavations at Ferriterʹs Cove, 1983‐95: last foragers,
first farmers in the Dingle Peninsula. Bray: Wordwell Ltd.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Appendix 8: Metal Finds Report
By Julie Franklin
Metal Finds

There were only two metal finds from the site. The first was from a modern square post‐hole and is a
copper‐alloy plate from a modern, 20th Century door lock.

The second is a horseshoe, found in what appears to be a hearth deposit in the top of the cist and
clearly representing secondary activity on the site. The shoe is complete, though is very corroded or
worn on one side and is of a size to fit a riding (rather than heavy draft) horse (Clark 1995, 29). The
dating of horseshoes is extremely difficult. They were individually wrought and fitted and hence
differences in size, shape and form can be due to the needs of the horse, the shape of the hoof, as well
as the styles of individual craftsmen. However, the shoe is fullered and so can be dated with some
certainty to the post‐medieval period. The fuller groove in which the nails sit is an innovation which
begins to appear around the mid 17th century. Though the horseshoe does not have the internal
keyhole shape characteristic of many shoes in the 17th and early 18th centuries, the broad surfaces
suggest it predates the 19th century (Hume 1969, 238; Goodall 1983, 251). Hence, it seems most likely
to date to the 18th century, though a slightly earlier or later date cannot be discounted.

1. Iron Horseshoe. Broad branches; remains of small, very worn calkin. Fullered, with four nail
holes on each branch. As many as three nails still in place. Length 120, width 123mm. SF1,
Context 1021, upper fill of cist.

References

Clark, John 1995 ‘Horseshoes’, in Clark, J (ed) Medieval finds from excavations in London, 5: The Medieval
Horse and its Equipment. London, 75‐123

Goodall, I H 1983 ‘Iron Objects’ in Mayes P & Butler L A S, Sandal Castle Excavations 1964‐1973. Leeds,
240‐252

Hume, I N 1969 A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial America, Philadelphia

Finds Catalogue
Site Ctxt SF Material Qty Description Spot Cons Ill Box
Date
2.41 1019 001 Cu Alloy 1 Lock plate. Odd shaped 20th XR12 3
holed plate C07‐0024
2.41 1021 001 Fe 1 Horseshoe, complete, part c.18th XR13 X 3
cleaned. Broad branches, C07‐0025
no toe clip, but remains of
worn calkin. Fullered,
with four nail holes on
each branch. As many as
three nails still in place.
W.123, L.120mm

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Appendix 9: Soil Sample Assessment
By Susan Lyons

BACKGROUND
The archaeological excavations at Ballykeernan (E2440) were carried out in advance of the N6 Galway
– Ballinasloe Road Scheme, on behalf of Galway County Council. The site was located approx. 4 km
south‐east of Kiltullagh at NGR M 6042/2277. The excavations revealed a a thin layer of cairn material
over a cist with an associated ring ditch. There were also linear ditches pre‐dating and post‐dating the
formation of the burnt material associated with the cist. A large modern pit and a rough surface of
stone were also recorded. A comprehensive sampling strategy was employed, where a total of 28 bulk
soil samples were taken representing all significant fills and deposits.
METHODOLOGY FOR SAMPLE ASSESSMENT

Twenty‐two soil samples were selected for the recovery of paleobotanical 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 1 mm 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. A higher
concentration of wood charcoal (+++ and ++++) was recorded from (1003) (fill of ditch (1002)) (1005)
(fill of ditch (1004)), (1023) (fill of ditch (1004)), (1035), (1036) and (1048) (fill of pit/cist (1020)), (1054)
(fill of post‐hole) and (1055) (fill of post‐hole (1058)). Samples identified with an asterisk (*) contain
sufficient quantities of charcoal for obtaining a radiocarbon date.

Carbonised hazelnut shell – Just two features contained very small fragments of carbonised hazelnut
shell; (1003) (fill of ditch (1002)) and (1036) (fill of pit/cist (1020)).

Animal bone
Fragments of unburnt animal bone were recovered from (1036) and (1048) (fill of pit/cist (1020)).

Mollusca – Evidence for molluscs were recorded from many of the samples. The highest
concentrations were identified from (1005) (fill of ditch (1004)) and (1031) (fill of ditch (1012)). It is
difficult to ascertain at this assessment stage whether these species belong to marine or terrestrial
varieties of mollusca.

Metallic material – Small fragments of metallic material were identified from (1030) (fill of ditch
(1012)). 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 this assemblage at
this time.

Flint – Small fragments of flint were recorded from (1003) (fill of ditch (1002)) and (1043) (fill of ditch
(1012)). No secondary workings were evident from the material, however, based on the size of the
material it is difficult to establish whether it represents cultural or natural material.

Quartz– Quartz was recovered from the majority of the samples, with higher concentrations
identified from (1036) (fill of pit/cist (1020)). This material would benefit from a more detailed study
especially in relation to any cremated remains recovered from this feature.

DISCUSSION

The soil samples from Ballykeernan contained primarily charcoal fragments and were void of other
botanical indicators of domestic activity. Charcoal is a common occurrence on archaeological sites and
is likely to reflect a) the use of hearths in and around the site and b) the cleaning out and dumping of
this burnt debris into nearby open features.

Carbonised hazelnut shell is a frequently recorded on prehistoric sites (Moffett et al, 1989; Greig, 1991)
and its presence is usually interpreted as a) the waste debris of gathered foodstuffs or b) a fuel source.
In this instance, the hazelnut shell recovered from (1003) (fill of ditch (1002)) and (1036) (fill of pit/cist
(1020)) is in such small quantities that its origin is uncertain.

Evidence for flint was recovered from (1003) (fill of ditch (1002)) and (1043) (fill of ditch (1012)), yet
the low number of fragments identified makes it difficult to interpret whether this material was
culturally or naturally formed.

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

REFERENCES

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.
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Appendix 10: Human Remains Report
By Carmelita Troy

Introduction

This document is submitted as a report on the osteological analysis of cremated human remains
recovered during archaeological excavations at Site E2440, in the townland of Ballykeeran, Co.
Galway under the direction of Brendon Wilkins of Headland Archaeology Ltd. The human remains
consist of burnt bone from a stone lined cist that was sealed by a thin layer of burnt sediment and
possibly disturbed by later tillage. As the amount of bone recovered was small, the osteological
interpretation of remains will be limited.

The site is located approximately 4 km southeast of Kiltullagh at NGR M 6042/2277 and chainage 200‐
250 on the Loughrea link road junction east. The landscape is of land rising slowly from a boggy
valley. It is currently used for pasture. This situation on the margins of the dry land may have been an
important factor in the locating of this site.

Methodology

Processing
All contexts containing human bone were carefully wet‐sieved through a floatation tank, under the
supervision of a qualified osteologist. Associated pyre debris and charcoal recovered during this
process were retained for examination by the appropriate specialist. The cleaned bone was dried and
bagged according and packed in museum standard boxes to await analysis.

Analysis
Following protocol laid down by McKinley (1994; 2004), and Gejvall (1969), the remains from each
burial were assessed for:
• Weight
• Degree of fragmentation
• Skeletal elements
• Demographic data ‐ sex, age, minimum number of individuals
• Pathology data
• Efficiency of cremation.

Dating
A Bone sample from one context was provided to Stephen Hoper at Queen’s University, Belfast for
radiocarbon dating. The results indicate that the funerary activity at Ballykeeran dates to the latter
stages of the Later Bronze Age.

Radiocarbon Calibrated Age Relative Calibrated Age Relative
Lab Sample
Material δ13C age BP Ranges(1 σ) probability Ranges probability
Code ID
(1 σ) (2 σ) (2 σ)
801‐755 cal BC 0.768 806‐744 cal BC 0.592
UB‐ Burnt
1035 ‐16.0 2563 +/‐ 34 684‐669 cal BC 0.180 689‐664 cal BC 0.151
7487 bone
608‐600 cal BC 0.052 646‐550 cal BC 0.257
Table 1. Radiocarbon dates obtained form the Ballykeeran, Co. Galeay, E2440
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Results

In all, one cremation was fully excavated, resulting in ten litres of material to be processed, see Table
2, below.

Total Max.
Sample Cremation Sample
Context Description Bone Fragment
No. Efficiency Size (l)
Weight (g) Size (mm)
1035 100% Blue/
Fills of cist (1020) 2, 3, 8 2 26 10
& 1036 Grey
Table 2. Results of the osteological analysis from Ballykeeran, Co. Galway, E2440

Type of Deposit
The feature containing the cremated bone from context (1020) was interpreted as a cist and it was
surrounded by a ring‐ditch (1012). No evidence from any of the excavated deposits that was
recovered suggested that the interred bone had been originally contained in an urn. The cist was
described as being trapezoidal in plan, with vertical sides and a flat base. The two fills (1035 and
1036) containing the cremated bone also had a frequent amount of charcoal.

The four deposits (1021, 1035, 1036 and 1048) in the cist all display evidence of oxidisation. There was
an infill of dark brownish black silty clay (1048) behind the stones comprising the cist, which possibly
acted as packing between the stones and the actual cut of the burial feature. This deposit displayed
frequent amounts of charcoal and burnt fragments of limestone. The two deposits within the cist
(1035 and 1036) contained only very small quantities of burnt bone (2 g in total). They also had
frequent amounts of charcoal which may have come from the cremation process. The uppermost fill
(1021) of cist (1020) consisted of medium brown silty clay and contained a relatively frequent quantity
of charcoal, spots of burnt soil and worked chert (E2440:1021:002)

The dimensions of the cist were taken from the surviving stone slab structure, length: 1.75 m; width:
1.30 m at west end, 1.04 m at east end. A single stone slab remained in position at the east end of the
cist. The side slabs at north and west appear to be relatively undisturbed but have perhaps slumped
over time. However, the slabs at the south‐west side look to have been disturbed by a linear feature
(1002) running west/east (10 m long) and perhaps even one slab was removed. The longest slab is
located at the south‐east corner next to the single east end slab and suggests that the maximum depth
of the feature is 0.75 m. The excavation report above suggests that there was a slab‐built roof but has
subsequently fallen into the cist. The slabs and stones used in the construction of the cist were
limestone.

Presence and Type of Pyre Debris
Preliminary species identification of the charcoal from the cist burial reveals that a range of trees were
gathered as firewood, such as alder, hazel and Pomoidaceae spp. from the cist. These are interesting
results as alder would be considered as a typical wetland species, but the presence of hazel generally
prefers to grow in more dryland conditions. There is some suggestion in the literature that fragrant
woods such as sandalwood and rosewood were preferred for cremation pyres (McKinley 1994).
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 that burn for
long periods of time, making them ideal for use in a cremation pyre.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discussion

The excavation at Ballykeeran produced only one cist with a limited quantity of cremated bone,
therefore the osteological information that was compiled from this site was restricted and the bone
was not conclusively identified as being human. The information retrieved from the cremated bone
accumulate to the temperature to which the cremation reached, which was up to c. 500‐700°C due to
the blue and grey colour of the bone, so as to imply incomplete oxidisation. The lack of completely
oxidised (white) bone contained in the cut fill is probably due to the relative lack of recovery of bone
overall.

The burial is located within a ring ditch. The cist was orientated east – west and the structure
narrows toward the east end producing a slightly trapezoidal shape in plan. The location of both the
ring‐ditch and cist seems to have been chosen carefully to take advantage of the slightly elevated
position afforded by a slight mound in the natural.

The cist may also be a cenotaph, which is an empty grave. Three major types of cenotaphs can be
found. Firstly, it may memorialise a person whose body was lost or buried at sea. Secondly, to
memorialise a person who was originally buried at that location, but later the body was moved to a
different location. Finally, to simply memorialise a person of note as a gesture of respect and honour.

It is apparent from excavated examples of cists that construction of this type of monument was a
ritual process focused primarily on the cist burial. The cist burial at Ballykeeran is a flat, long cist
inserted into the existing ground surface by means of a cut that is subsequently backfilled.
There are six post‐holes that seem to be associated with the construction of the cist. They appear to be
beneath the layer of burnt material that covered the cist (1021).

The cremated bone contained in this cist burial is dated to the Late Bronze Age. The only possible
evidence for the inclusion of grave goods was a piece of struck chert (E2440:1035:001) located in
deposit (1035). Chert was often used during the prehistoric period as a source material for stone tools
and is considered less attractive and more common than flint. There were 74 pieces of worked chert
and flint recovered from this site.

What is unclear is whether only small quantities of bone were ever included in these deposits or if
some were ‘removed’ or disturbed during the ‘curation’ process; or subsequently by later activity on
the site.

The Ballykeeran cist adds another example to the list cist graves in Ireland (Ó Flóinn 1992). As the
cremated bone supplied very little information about the burial and the individual interred, it was
consequently up to the long‐cist itself to provide a record. The possible explanation for the presence
of the cremated bone in the cist was that after the individual was cremated, the remains were placed
into the stone‐lined cist burial. The inclusions of charcoal, burnt limestone and oxidised clay in the
deposits of the cist may suggest that this matter possibly came from the pyre material.

Conclusion

The long‐cist found in Ballykeeran may originally have been part of a larger Late Bronze Age
cemetery; although no other graves were found within the excavated area. The position of the grave,
on a dry, slightly elevated mound in the vicinity of the Craughwell River, is somewhat a typical
location for an Irish Bronze Age cist burial (Ó Baoill and Murphy 2000).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bibliography

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

McKinley, J I 1994b ‘The Anglo‐Saxon cemetery at Spong Hill, North Eltham part VIII: the cremations’
East Anglian Archaeology Report NO 69, Dereham: Field Archaeology Division, Norfolk Museums
Service.

McKinley, J I 2004 ‘Compiling a skeletal inventory: cremated human bone’ In Brickley, M and
McKinley, J I (eds) Guidelines to the Standards for Recording Human Remains. Institute of Field
Archaeologists Paper, NO 7, 9‐13, in association with BABAO.

Ó Baoill, R and Murphy E 2000 ‘The Early Bronze Age cist burial at Newtownstewart Castle, Co.
Tyrone’ Palaeopathology Newsletter: Irish Section News, 3, 2‐3.

Ó Flóinn, R 1992 ‘Cist burial at Ardra, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny’.
http://.iol.ie/~mfogarty/cist.htm

Appendix II. Site Matrix
(1000)
(1019) (1003) (1005) (1006)

Linear ditches
[1018] [1002] (1022)
PHASE 3 (1011)
[1004]
(1028) (1042)
[1011] [1041]
[1009] Waterfilled Feature
(1061)
(1062) (1016)
(1017)
[1015]
PHASE 2
(1033)
(1032)
(1021)
(1030) (1037)
(1035) (1021) (1045) (1025)
(1036) (1021) (1043) (1023) (1027)

Cist (1046) (1047) Ring Ditch
(1048) (1021) (1044) (1024) (1034)
1049
[1020] [1012]
(1014) (1051) (1053) (1055) (1057)

Postholes
[1013] [1050] [1052] [1054] [1056] (1060)
PHASE 1 (1039)
(1040) Linear ditch
[1038]
(1001) Natural

Ballykeeran Late Bronze Age Cist and Ring-Ditch

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Ballykeeran Late Bronze Age Cist and Ring-Ditch

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UB‐7462 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2755±32 one sigma cal BC 923‐

UB‐7464 Ballykeeran Charcoal Alnus 2778±32 one sigma cal BC 977‐

UB‐7461 Ballykeeran Charcoal from 2809±33 one sigma cal BC 1001‐

UB‐7458 Ballykeeran Charcoal Alnus 2803±31 one sigma cal BC 1001‐

UB‐7457 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2729±32 one sigma cal BC 996‐

UB‐7463 Ballykeeran Charcoal from 2661±30 one sigma cal BC 832‐

UB‐7465 Ballykeeran Charcoal from 2770±32 one sigma cal BC 973‐

UB‐7466 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2838±33 one sigma cal BC 1041‐

UB‐7456 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2787±32 one sigma cal BC 994‐

UB‐7455 Ballykeeran Charcoal 2683±32 one sigma cal BC 891‐

UB‐7487 Ballykeeran Cremated bone one sigma cal BC 801‐

Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Figure 2 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Figure 3 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

mid-excavation plan of cist stones

post-excavation plan of cist pit

Figure 4 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Section 79: NW-facing internal elevation of cist

Section 80: SW-facing internal elevation of cist

Figure 5 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Profiles of footing trench for kerb stones

Figure 6 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

= Location of sections charcoal

Figure 7 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Figure 8 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Figure 9 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Ballykeeran E2440

Plate 2 - Collapsed roof of cist 1020

Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of cist 1020

Plate 6 - View of possible kerb slot 1058

Plate 8 - Aerial view of site, facing east

1019 Fill Singular fill of modern post‐hole (1018). Fill of post‐

1034 Fill Fill of ring‐ditch (1012). Fill of ring

1049 Structure Length 1.75 m, Width 1 m, Depth 0.75 m. Cist stones.

16 East West‐facing section of linear (1004) slot 5 M.H. 06.03.06

64 West Post‐excavation shot of cist (1020) B.C. 27.02.06

111 Vertical Site shot from cherry picker located on west baulk D.R. 20.03.06

47 Section North/facing section of (1012) slot 8 1:10 N.K. 09.03.06

Context Species Element NISP

(1019) (1003) (1005) (1006)

(1036) (1021) (1043) (1023) (1027)

(1014) (1051) (1053) (1055) (1057)

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