County: Clare Site name: KILLULLA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0580
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Chalcolithic (2500 BC-2201 BC)
ITM: E 540070m, N 664997m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.732744, -8.887348
The N18/N19 road improvement scheme involves the construction of a new dual carriageway from Ballycasey northwards to Latoon South. A programme of archaeological works was undertaken along the proposed route in advance of construction. At construction phase topsoil-stripping was monitored along the proposed road route and a new fulacht site (AR28A) was identified in the townland of Killulla.
The area exposed was small, measuring 5.2m by 3m, and consisted of a spread of heat-shattered sandstone and charcoal. Excavation failed to identify a trough or any associated features. It is possible, however, that a modern drain that cut the fulacht spread destroyed the trough and/or any other features. A radiocarbon date of 4560–4170 BP (2600–2220 BC) was obtained from a charcoal sample from the spread and this indicated that the site was early Bronze Age in date. Further stripping in the area west of the site revealed the presence of two further fulachta fiadh (AR28B and AR28C) and these sites were excavated under separate licences (see Excavations 2001, Nos 74 and 75).
15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth
