2001:058 - CULLEEN, Clare

Five definite archaeological sites were initially identified prior to the commencement of the Dromoland to Ballycasey Road Improvement Scheme Phase II. Of these, the site Area 29 was within the townland of Culleen to the west of the existing Shannon–Newmarket-on-Fergus road. The site was on a rock outcrop in an area of undulating land and was south of AR27 and 28, Killulla (see Excavations 2001, Nos 71–5).

This area was initially stripped of topsoil to expose any underlying features. In all, 34 archaeological features were identified. These included six field drains, three furrows, six pits, three post-holes, a stake-hole and a deposit. The pits were very shallow, 0.1–0.4m in depth, and had similar fills of compact brown silty clay with flecks of charcoal and oxidised clay. The three post-holes were located in isolation, one to the north, one to the south and one to the east of the site. They were roughly circular in shape and varied between 0.2m and 0.3m in diameter. A single stake-hole, 0.1m in diameter and 0.25m deep, was located between two drains. Both the post-holes and the stake-hole were filled with a dark brown silty clay and none appeared to form part of any structure.

Three finds were recovered from this site: all were out of context and lying on the natural boulder clay. They included two worked flint scrapers and one fragment of waste flint with evidence of working. Although these finds were out of context they may reflect prehistoric activity in this area. It was not possible to recover a charcoal sample from any of the features. This site may represent a human habitation site but presumably this was a temporary dwelling, as is suggested by the very low impact on the land.

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