County: Kerry Site name: GORTATLEA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 00E0779
Author: Michael Connolly, Aegis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 491373m, N 610154m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.232403, -9.590259
This excavation was occasioned by the uncovering of a number of features cut into the subsoil during the licensed monitoring of topsoil-stripping on the N22 realignment from Bealagrellagh to Gortatlea (see Excavations 2000, No. 418). The site consists of a subcircular ditch, c. 1m wide, which encloses an area measuring 16.6m north–south by 15.9m. The ditch would appear to have been dug in sections and varies between a sharp V-shape and a shallow U-shape in section. The ditch does not complete a full circle, and there is an entrance feature on the north-eastern side.
Inside the ditch there are numerous pits, post-holes and stake-holes, as well as the remains of at least two and possibly four incomplete, subcircular slot-trenches.
There was no evidence for occupation inside the enclosure, and no diagnostic finds were recovered. Several potential finds that were uncovered have not, as yet, been sent for analysis.
Fragments of cremated animal bone were recovered from the fill of a number of the features, while large lumps of quartz were recovered from the bases of many of the pits.
It would appear that there are three separate phases of activity on the site, with the construction of the enclosing ditch representing the final phase, while the first phase of activity is characterised by a major fire on the site.
16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick
