County: Kerry Site name: CAHERLEHILLIAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 70:43 Licence number: 93E0073 ext.
Author: John Sheehan, Department of Archaeology, University College Cork
Site type: Ecclesiastical enclosure
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 457180m, N 583560m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.985709, -10.079369
Excavations at Caherlehillian, conducted as part of UCC's programme of training for undergraduate students of archaeology, continued for three weeks during June 1999 (for previous seasons' work, see Excavations 1998, 89; Excavations 1997, 82; Excavations 1996, 47; Excavations 1995, 40–1; Excavations 1994, 43–4, and Excavations 1993, 41–2). Investigations were concentrated in and beneath the ceallúnach burial-ground (Area 1), in and around the leacht-like structure in the eastern half of the enclosure (Area 8) and in the south-western quadrant of the enclosure (Area 7). Limited investigations were also carried out in Areas 3 and 5.
Further evidence for early medieval activity was uncovered beneath the level of the ceallúnach burials in Area 1. A thin lens of soil, which survived in patches, was identified as the early medieval ground surface. A number of adult graves and other features, including a drain and soak-pit, were cut into this layer. One of the graves was lined and covered with slate slabs, and this was stratigraphically earlier than a number of simple dug graves.
In Area 8 a number of ceallúnach graves were excavated in the area around the leacht-like structure. They were orientated east-west and appear to be post-medieval/early modern in date. One of these graves featured a fragment of a cross-slab reused as a side-stone; on this fragment is carved part of an encircled cross-of-arcs and a stylised peacock.
The two cross-slabs standing adjacent to the leacht were excavated, as they were in danger of collapse, and both appear to have been in secondary positions. A large amount of quartz was excavated from the surface of the leacht, revealing four slate covering slabs. A cross-inscribed pillar, in two pieces, was identified as one of the two missing corner-posts of the leacht-like structure.
In Area 7 the excavation of C8 was completed and the underlying C28 was revealed. This produced a range of finds, including imported pottery (E and B ware), whetstones, spindle-whorls and metal slag. On the removal of C28 a number of post- and stake-holes were revealed.
Excavations will continue in 2000.
