Charcoal-making site in Moneygall

Archaeological investigations were carried out by Billy Quinn of Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd under licence No. 04E1359ext. at Springfield, Moneygall, Co. Offaly, between 16 and 26 October 2007. The proposed development involved the erection of fifteen houses, new entrance and ancillary siteworks on a greenfield site near OF046–017001, classified as an earthwork. Outline permission to build was originally granted in 2004 subject to pre-development testing. An initial testing phase was carried out by Brian Halpin (National Archaeological Services Ltd) in October 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1421). Four trenches running north-north-west/south-south-east were excavated across the site that ‘uncovered a series of linear features of unknown date and a subcircular feature, the possible remains of a Bronze Age burnt spread or potboiler. There were no traces of the earthwork uncovered.’ On the basis of these findings a further investigation was recommended. Following this, Moore Group were commissioned to undertake the monitoring of topsoil-stripping under a licence transfer. During the course of the monitoring brief on 10 September 2007 (Excavations 2007, No. 1463) excavation exposed the remains of the southern portion of an enclosing ditch associated with the earthwork (OF046–017----). Following consultations with archaeologist Hugh Carey for the National Monuments Service, DEHLG, it was agreed that the monument be preserved in situ by covering the exposed remains in geotextile and raising the existing development levels by 0.3m to act as a buffer between the archaeological deposits and the proposed house foundations. Furthermore, Mr Carey required that a number of sections should be hand-dug across the width of the fosse and in other areas of archaeological potential. The site consists of a rectangular field fronting on to the Cloughjordan road. The site, originally pasture, slopes from west to east. In the vicinity of the monument, towards the north-east corner of the site, was a subcircular elevated area. Topsoil-stripping using a 14-tonne machine with grading bucket exposed the curvilinear line of the southern side of the enclosing ditch of the monument (OF046-017-----). The northern section was not exposed, as it lay outside the confines of the site. Three trenches through the east, west and south of the ditch were excavated. A further seventeen separate features found outside the enclosure were identified, seven of which had archaeological potential. These included five pits, a linear feature and a rectangular pit with four corner post-holes filled with charcoal-enriched silt and fire-cracked stones. Feature 15 was found c. 13m to the south-west of the enclosure (OF046-017----) and 6.5m from the southern boundary. It was subcircular in plan measuring 3.15m north–south by 4.25m and had a maximum depth of 0.6m. The cut was stepped, the upper portion having a gradual slope that broke to a sharper incline near the centre. There were three fills: the upper deposit was a dark-brown clayey silt with a moderate amount of charcoal and angular stones 0.1m in depth. Below this, making up the bulk of the fills, was a loose black charcoal-rich silt with frequent fire-cracked stones, 0.35m in depth. The base deposit was a loose grey sand with charcoal flecking. Feature 15 was found in association with Feature 16 and, due to their proximity and similarity in fill type, have to be treated as contemporaneous and functionally related. Feature 16, a rectangular spread of burnt material, was located 0.5m to the south-east of Feature 15. It consists of a rectangular cut orientated west-north-west/east-south-east measuring 2.75m long by 1.6m wide by 0.3m deep. The cut had near vertical sides breaking sharply to an uneven base. The pit was filled with a moderately compact black charcoal-enriched material with frequent fire-cracked stones. It is interesting to note that the interface between the fill material and the base of the cut showed no signs of scorching or oxidisation. Excavation at the base of the cut exposed four post-holes at each corner. The post-holes all contained a brown/grey sandy silt fill. Post-hole 1 to the north-west corner measured 0.15m in diameter and was dug to a depth of 0.3m where it tapered to a blunt point. Post-hole 2 to the north-east corner was sub-rounded and measured 0.2m in length by 0.12m wide by 0.17m deep. This post-hole tapered to a rounded point. Post-hole 3 to the south-west corner was 0.15m in diameter and was 0.25m deep ending in a blunt point. Post-hole 4 in the south-east corner was 0.17m in diameter by 0.16m deep and tapered to a blunt point. Both features 15 and 16 are clearly related and their respective forms show deliberation in their creation and design. The post-holes in particular, in Feature 15, would suggest an aboveground superstructure possibly supporting a rack or platform. This site may have had a number of uses including charcoal manufacture or drying meat. Feature 17 consists of an U-shaped pit that cut an earlier burnt spread. The pit was oval in plan and measured 0.7m by 0.5m and had a depth of 0.28m. It contained a medium compact light-brown sandy silt. The associated spread was in a saucer-shaped cut and was roughly circular in plan measuring 1.8m in diameter with a gentle slope and maximum depth of 0.1m. The fill was a mid-brown silt with a moderate amount of charcoal and occasional small stones. This deposit was burnt in situ as evidenced by the burnt oxidised base. These features are typically described as pot-boiler sites (Bennett 2011, 30002). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 12 November 2011