County: Kerry Site name: GORTATLEA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0939
Author: Michael Connolly, Ægis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Souterrain
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 491573m, N 609954m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.230645, -9.587269
The souterrain was first noted during excavation carried out on a large ditched enclosure on the line of the N22 realignment during the autumn of 2000 under licence number 01E0175 (see Excavations 2001, No. 569). However, it was clear that the souterrain ran in under the existing N22, which was still in use at that time, and no further work was undertaken on the feature.
It was obvious that the souterrain was related to at least the outer ditch of the enclosure excavated at site No. 569. In September of this year, that part of the existing/original N22 overlying the souterrain was removed and a further part of its line was uncovered. At this time it was agreed to try to ascertain the extent of the souterrain.
An opening into the souterrain had been noted in the spring of 2001, but even though this opening had been covered with plywood it had been accidentally reburied during subsequent works in the area. A trench was excavated along the northern side of the souterrain to find this opening, which was discovered still sealed by the plywood. At the easterly extent of this trench a deposit of burnt soil was noted, resting on the sterile boulder clay, outside the souterrain.
With the uncovering of the originally noted opening to the souterrain, entry to the feature was possible. Upon investigation it was clear that this entry led into a small earth-cut chamber, the western end of which was a dead end; however, a passage exited the chamber to the east, while to the east-south-east there appeared to be a deliberately sealed opening — two stone slabs forming the seal.
The passage to the east was the feature which had been uncovered during the removal of the original N22 road surface. A trench to the east of the chamber was opened to determine the length of the passage exiting the chamber. This showed the passage to be approximately 6–7m long, 0.65m wide and 0.6m high, with no further openings/passages leading from it on either side. It was also clear that the deposit of burnt soil outside the souterrain marked its eastern extent.
All the openings to the souterrain were resealed with plywood and no further excavations took place.
16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick
