2005:712 - TAWLAGHT, Kerry

Test excavations as part of an impact assessment prior to the construction of a housing development were carried out at a site at Tawlaght, Fenit. Three areas of archaeological significance were exposed, Areas 1–3.
Area 1 measured 12m (north–south) by 15m and consisted of a series of pits, post-holes, slot-trenches, stake-holes and a single trough. The majority of features contained much charcoal and many heat-shattered angular sandstones. A small number of features contained some burnt and unburnt animal bone. Five curvilinear slot-trenches extended around the main focus of the archaeological features in a crescentic fashion, giving a subcircular shape to the site, with post-holes placed in the gaps between slot-trenches. The average dimension for the five slot-trenches was 5.4m long by 1.5m wide by 0.46m deep. A subcircular hearth was recorded adjacent to the trough and was a maximum of 1m wide with a depth of 0.22m. The stake-holes were concentrated in four distinct areas. The subrectangular trough measured 2.4m (east–west) by 1.5m by 1.1m deep and contained nine fills with much charcoal and heat-shattered sandstone. Ultimately, 33 post-holes, 266 stake-holes, sixteen pits, six slot-trenches and one trough were recorded. A modest assemblage of finds that consisted mainly of rubbing stones was retrieved from Area 1.

No apparent pattern was identifiable that could suggest a structure (i.e. a house site or other). No radiocarbon dates have been received as yet, but the overall morphology of the features and the use of hot-stone technology are indicative of a Bronze Age dating milieu.

Area 2 measured 10m (east–west) by 12m and comprised two sub-oval pits, one of which measured 1.75m by 1.2m by 0.3m deep and contained three sterile fills, none of which produced datable material or artefacts.

Area 3 consisted of a shell midden comprising two distinct spreads of shell and five pits. The site measured 15m (north–south) by 15m and was located on an outcrop of limestone bedrock adjacent to and possibly associated with a nearby ringfort and souterrain, located immediately outside the development to the east. Typically, the midden contained copious quantities of periwinkle, common limpet, dog whelk, cockle and common saddle oyster. Periwinkle was by far the most dominant species represented. Two sherds of medieval pottery were retrieved from beneath the shell midden. Two securely stratified sherds of Saintonge green-glazed ware dating from the 13th or 14th century were recovered. Charcoal, animal bone and shell consistent with the adjacent midden material was recovered from three of the five excavated pits. Other finds included two fragments of a broken rotary quern, rubbing stones, hone stones and a small assemblage of corroded metal artefacts.

The location of the midden in immediate proximity to the ringfort suggests direct association and contemporaneity. The securely stratified Saintonge fragments clearly typologically date the midden to the 13th–14th century. The excavation site was extended to the east in the direction of the ringfort. However, the midden petered out and no physical stratigraphic relationship was established. Tawlaght was an important port area for the medieval town of Tralee and Ardfert and a castle (now demolished) was located nearby. A medieval trading token made of bone was recovered in Tawlaght in 1945.

Post-excavation analysis is ongoing and it is hoped that forthcoming specialist reports will further illuminate our understanding of Areas 1 and 2.

3 Lios Na Lohart, Ballyvelly, Tralee, Co. Kerry