JOHNSTOWN 3
| Site Name/ Townland | Description | Basic Interpretation | Provisional dating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown 3 | L shaped narrow ditch with burnt fill | Possible Industrial activity. | Prehistoric |
Preliminary Results of Excavation
Archaeological excavation at Johnstown 3 was undertaken by ACS Ltd from January to February 2006. Post-excavation analysis is ongoing.
Excavation centred on an oval spread of oxidized clay with a narrow channel curving away to the west and north. A number of post-holes encircled the oxidized feature with two having been removed by a later field boundary. Other features included a token cremation and two shallow hearth-like features with associated stakeholes. The central feature measured 2.75m east-west by 1.46m and had a max. depth of 0.66m. It contained layers of charcoal and burnt bone. The sides of the feature appeared to have been lined with a mixture of clay and burnt sandstone fragments. The channel leading away from the main feature was 0.26m in width and 0.13m in depth and also contained charcoal flecks with burnt bone. At the other end of the channel was a sub-circular pit measuring 0.83m in diameter and 0.24m in depth and also contained burnt bone and charcoal flecks.
Ten sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the sides and base. The area was extended southwards and a large sub-circular pit was revealed containing charcoal rich silty clay with burnt sandstone inclusions. The pit measured 1.25m in diameter and 0.78m in depth and was cut into bedrock with vertical sides. It may have originally functioned as a well. Decorated and undecorated prehistoric pottery was recovered from the feature along with unburnt animal bone and burnt bone.
Interpretation
The site has been provisionally interpreted as a prehistoric pit kiln demarcated as a sacred space by its encircling posts and with associated nearby burial and possible feasting. The pottery appears to be Neolithic and the site may have been associated with the segmented ring ditch at Knocks 1 some 300m away.
Return to Section 1.
Final Report
Please click on the link to access the final archaeological report for Johnstown 3
| Final Report of Johnstown 3 | 2.81MB |
