1995:132 - BRAY, Valentia Island, Kerry

Archaeological investigation of some earthworks and a hut site on Bray Head was undertaken from 8 to 15 August 1995. The areas selected for investigation were chosen by Prof. G.F. Mitchell as part of an ongoing research project into the early farmsteads on this part of Bray Head. The results of two previous seasons of fieldwork in this immediate area have been compiled by Alan Hayden (Excavations 1994, 43; 1993, 41).

The sites are located on the southern slopes of Bray Head. The farm includes several fields with cultivation ridges and high lynchets at their southern ends, two groups of house platforms, and a poorly preserved corn-drying kiln. Several periods of activity, however, are likely to be represented by the extant remains.

Investigation of one section of an earthen embankment showed that it overlay an earlier, stone structure, interpreted as the demolished remains of a grain-drying kiln. No surface trace of this structure was apparent prior to excavation, nor does it show on the aerial photographs. The structure measures over 4.6m north-south by over 1.8m east-west.

An excavation trench measuring 5.5m north-south by 4.3m east-west was opened to encompass the hut site. Prior to excavation, this was apparent as a semicircle of vertically set sandstone slabs, which appeared to represent the inner line of the wall of a round hut. A low mound, approx. 0.3m in height, defined the wall structure on the south, west and east sides. No trace of the wall on the east side was visible. A doorway on the east side is likely, as this is not the direction of prevailing winds on Bray Head. Time did not allow full excavation of the area of the hut, and work was concentrated on the visible structural remains. It is hoped to complete excavation in 1996.

It measures approx. 4.9m in diameter externally, and 3.2m internally. The wall, of sods or earth, revetted at the base internally and externally by large boulders set on edge, varies in width from 0.9m to 1m.

A large stone-kerbed hearth was placed slightly off-centre within the hut. A broken whetstone was the sole find from the structure.

No internal posts or other structural features were noted: such could exist, however, as excavation of the interior is incomplete.

The hut is similar in many elements to structures excavated in 1994 and 1995 on nearby Illaunloughan (Excacations 1994, 45, and below, No. 137). While a date is awaited for the Bray Head structure, its circular form, and the finding of a whetstone, suggest a date in the Early Christian period for its occupancy.

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