1985:89 - LOUGH GUR, Limerick

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Limerick Site name: LOUGH GUR

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number:

Author: Rose M Cleary, Dept. of Archaeology, University College Cork

Site type: Habitation site

Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)

ITM: E 563764m, N 640683m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.516316, -8.533882

The 1991 season at Lough Gur was concentrated within the southern end of the 'D'-shaped enclosure. This also included a 24m stretch of the enclosing wall. The excavation area is c. 262sq. m. The excavation within the enclosure has been divided into 4 areas. Area 1, which was partially excavated in 1990, and Areas 4 and 5 have been exposed to a cherry layer which is interpreted as a 'living floor'. Several pits and postholes have been uncovered in Areas 1, 4 and 5 and it appears this is the main area for the structural evidence, though to date, it has been difficult to establish the exact form of the superstructure.

Further excavation is required to fully expose and excavate all structural remains in this area. A small platform was apparent within the enclosure and this (Area 3) was fully excavated. Though no structural features were uncovered, the area did have one large pit and a posthole and also included a section of the enclosing wall. The datable finds from the enclosure are, in the main, Lough Gur Class II pottery. This may indicate that the period of use of the enclosure is Bronze Age. Other finds include several thousand animal bones, stone axe fragments and two fragments of bronze. Recent work on the soil samples, in the Archaeological Services Unit, UCC, has recovered evidence of cereal cultivation. This is the first time this evidence has been recorded from prehistoric archaeological contexts at Lough Gur.

The boundary fence (Area 2) was further excavated in 1991. The excavation has uncovered evidence of occupation in this area which includes a hearth and pits. The ceramic finds here are Lough Gur Class I, which suggests the area of occupation pre-dates that of the enclosure. There is also good stratigraphy adjacent to the boundary fence.