County: Kerry Site name: N22 GORTATLEA–INCHINVEEMA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E1155
Author: Laurence Dunne, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Pit
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 492998m, N 607915m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.212607, -9.565777
The National Roads Authority is undertaking a programme of works to upgrade the N22 between Cork and Tralee. Part of this work involves the realignment of c. 3.8km of the N22 between Gortatlea and Inchinveema, Co. Kerry. Monitoring of topsoil-stripping of two areas within the road-take of the proposed realignment was undertaken. The areas monitored extended from Chainage 7500–8025 (93025 107861 to 92908 107336) in Garraundarragh townland to Chainage 8120–8500 (92883 107262 to 92748 106930) in Urrohogal townland.
Two features were recorded: a levelled fulacht fiadh and a shallow pit containing fulacht fiadh-type material. A third feature identified during monitoring was later resolved as a natural anomaly. The fulacht fiadh was later excavated by Jacinta Kiely under licence 04E0647 (No. 751, Excavations 2004).
Located at Chainage 7920 (92947 107472), the pit was subcircular in plan. It had a gradual break of slope top/slope base and almost vertical sides onto a flat base. It measured 0.72m by 0.7m and was 0.25m deep. The single fill was a moderately compact dark-brown silty sandy clay which contained 30% heat-shattered sandstones and a moderate amount of charcoal flecks, poorly sorted throughout. No evidence of in situ burning of the pit was found. No artefacts were recovered during the excavation. The fill was sampled for a radiocarbon date. The pit was situated just 0.24m inside the western limit of the road-take and may be associated with features located to the west of the CPO. Alternatively, the pit may be an isolated feature.
Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork
