1997:537 - KIL:10, Killoran, Tipperary

The Lisheen Mine complex uncovered a large cluster of small pits, established to be a flat cremation cemetery of prehistoric date. A rescue excavation was carried out to reveal a total of 57 pits within an area, orientated east–west, measuring over 10.8m in length and 9m in width. No visible trace of an enclosing ditch or boundary was noted to the north or south. The pits were clustered with no apparent regularity within a loose east–west alignment and with several intercutting. Most were circular in plan and measured between 0.75m and 0.13m (mode 0.3m) in diameter and between 0.37m and 0.05m (mode 0.2m) in depth.

In total, evidence for 28 individual burials was recorded; 26 pits were sealed or partly sealed by a capping of local boulder clay; of these 20 produced cremated bone, with a further eight also containing bone but with no capping. Several cremation pits cut post-pipes, including one that still contained a fragment of post in situ, suggesting the use of wooden marker-posts prior to burial. A further 22 pits or postholes were noted without bone, filled with a charcoal-rich silty matrix. These fills are being analysed for token cremation remains. One cremation pit produced a number of fragments of coarseware pottery, similar to that found in the complex of houses at KIL:08 (see Excavations 1997, No. 536) and also at KIL:04 (see Excavations 1997, No. 535).

The site was located on a low plateau surrounded on three sides by marshy ground and 400m west of a number of late Bronze Age/Iron Age tracks in Derryville Bog, as well as two settlement sites, KIL:03 (Excavations 1997, No. 534) and KIL:08 to the north. The cemetery continued east and west beyond the course of the road. It is hoped that further work may be carried out to reveal its full extent.

Rath House, Ferndale Road, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin