1993:126 - ROSS ISLAND, Kerry

A second season of archaeological investigation was carried out between April and September 1993, funded by the Office of Public Works and the American organisation, Earthwatch. In addition to topographic survey and geophysical prospecting over the entire mine area, excavation centred on the Beaker habitation/ore processing area discovered in 1992 (Excavations 1992, 37). Investigation of mine sediment uncovered a large number of stone mining tools, in addition to animal bone fragments, antler and worked pebble flint used to make arrowheads. The foundations of a trapezoidal house structure, measuring 5m x 4m, were revealed stratigraphically below this mine sediment, while a tent-like structure in this area can be associated with the early Beaker phase of mining.

Excavation also revealed details of the ore processing operation, including an anvil slab arrangement used to crush mineralised rock and two pit features containing metallurgical residues and in situ heat treatment. The latter appear to have been used to smelt copper ore and recent radiocarbon dates, centering on 2400-2200 BC, link this metallurgy to early Beaker pottery in the site.