County: Tipperary Site name: KILSCOBIN (Site 25(v))
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 03E0756
Author: Neil Fairburn, for Judith Carroll Network Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia and Habitation site
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 609571m, N 640559m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.516322, -7.858981
Excavation at Site 25(v) was carried out in Phase 3 investigations on behalf of South Tipperary County Council in advance of construction of the N8 Cashel Bypass and N74 Link Road. The scheme involves a 6km bypass route of the town and a 2km link road of the N74.
Phase 2 testing in testing area 25 (No. 1719, Excavations 2003, 03E0295) identified six separate areas of archaeological activity. Each of these areas, designated 25i–vi, were excavated under separate licences. Testing work in the area of Site 25(v) had initially identified fulacht fiadh-type material and a small collection of pits and post-holes.
Site 25(v) was located around a waterlogged depression, which was most probably once a pond or small lake. Within this depression a large amorphous spread of fulacht fiadh material was identified. To the north and south of the depression, on higher ground, a number of post-holes and stake-holes were located. In the south of the site, on higher ground, these post-holes formed a small circular structure, though there was no evidence to suggest if it was domestic or not. No discernible shapes or structures could be identified amongst the other features. However, the number of features in conjunction with the circular structure to the south suggests a high level of activity around the depression.
This site only represents the western edge of the depression and it is likely that more archaeology is present beyond the road-take.
Cocyn Uchaf, Moelfre, Anglesey, Wales
