부산대학교 도서관

This report details the licensed archaeological excavation of features uncovered during Phase 1 test trenching of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick High Quality Dual Carriageway. Phase 1 test trenching was carried out between January and March 2006 by ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY Ltd and Judith Carroll and Company under Ministerial Direction Number A026. During the testing within the townland of Ballynahinch Co. Tipperary, three areas containing archaeological features and deposits (Carroll 2006a-c) were identified and given the sub-scheme numbers A026/019-019. Areas A026/017 and A026/019 both contained a single charcoal rich spread with inclusions of fire cracked stones. Within area A026/018 a single circular stone filled pit was identified. The excavation, conducted under Registration Number E2401, was carried out by ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY Ltd between July and August 2006, in accordance with the Directions issued by the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government, following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland under the National Monuments Act (1930-2004) and in accordance with the Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavations (Dúchas 1999). The site was designated Ballynahinch Site 1 for reporting purposes. The archaeological resolution revealed the remains of the three features identified during the Phase 1 test trenching and, in addition, a further 20 features were excavated within the three areas. A Preliminary Excavation Report (Wojtowicz 2008) was completed and submitted to the Archaeological Planning and Licencing Unit, National Monuments Service, Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government and to the National Museum of Ireland. Based on the results of the excavation on Ballynahinch Site 1, combined with the specialist analyses carried out including the radiocarbon dates received, the activity in Area A026/018 which consisted of two pits, domestic in nature, the earliest of which was dated to the Early/Middle Bronze Age. Further Middle Bronze Age activity was recorded within Area A026/018 which consisted of several domestic rubbish pits, three post-holes and a single stake-hole. Later activity was also recorded in the form of plough furrows and stone filled clearance pits. Area A026/019 consisted of two pits and a single linear feature. No datable material was forthcoming from any of the features excavated within A026/019 however, it is postulated that the pits, being similar in nature to those excavated within the two other areas, date to the Bronze Age with the linear feature forming a later boundary. Though the features found on Ballynahinch Site 1 constitute ephemeral Bronze Age activity, when considered in conjunction with the other excavation conducted within the townland of Ballynahinch and Rossfinch, it clearly forms part of significant Brozne Age activity consisting of both domestic and ritual activity.