County: Kerry Site name: FERRITER'S COVE, Ballyoughteragh North
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Peter Woodman and M O'Brien, Dept of Archaeology, University College Cork
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 432986m, N 605255m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.173808, -10.441926
The excavations at Ferriter's Cove, Co. Kerry, were recommenced when it became apparent that one area left unexcavated had suffered substantial erosion since 1987. Therefore a limited excavation was undertaken between Trenches 2 and 2(ext). A roughly semicircular area of 6m radius was opened. This revealed 2 areas of activity resting on the same platform on which other traces of settlement had been found in previous years.
The northern area adjacent to Trench 2 was characterised by a relatively sterile sandy silt (0.1m in thickness) which contained few artefacts. However within the silt was a small group of cattle bones C14 dated to 5510 BP. Towards the base a small cache of polished stone axes was recovered (5 axes were found). A pit of rather more substantial size than usual was also found in this area. This pit was over 0.3m deep and contained burnt stones, charcoal and a selection of bones, mostly fish vertebrae. Other smaller pits and stake-holes were also found in this area.
To the south, adjacent to the old Trench 2(ext) the silt contained much more evidence of occupation within it–particularly towards the base. Two areas of burnt subsoil surrounded with burnt stone were uncovered. Small scatters of shells and bones were found in the same area. One 'Bann Flake' was recovered along with a scatter of blades usually made from greenstone. Some flint debitage was also recovered.The eastern edge of the area opened in 1992 was left unfinished and it is hoped that this area will be examined in 1993.
