2008:595 - Caherleaheen, Kerry

An impact assessment with testing undertaken in 2007 resulted in the discovery of five previously unknown areas of archaeology at Caherleaheen, Tralee, Co. Kerry (Excavations 2007, No. 684). Four of these were fulachta fiadh while the fifth feature comprised a discrete hearth. These sites were subsequently excavated in 2008 under extensions to the testing licence.
Area 1 comprised a large spread of burnt-mound material comprising 80–90% heat-shattered stones within a black silty clay matrix. Large pieces of charcoal were also visible within the deposit. The monument was recorded directly beneath the sod (a depth of 0.15m) for a length of 11m east–west by 24.5m.
Area 2 was recorded 20m to the north-west of Area 1 and was manifest as a spread of burnt-mound material. Measuring 3m east–west and with an exposed length of 2m north–south, the deposit consisted of 80–90% burnt stones within a brown/black silty clay.
Area 3 is located 15m to the north-east of Area 1. This area comprises a spread of burnt material identical to that recorded in Area 1, extending for 11m north–south by 12m. Large pieces of charcoal were visible within the spread and a sample was retrieved for dating purposes.
Area 4 is situated 35m north-east of Area 1 and also comprises a spread of burnt-mound material which has been truncated by modern agricultural features, aligned north–south. The burnt-mound material was recorded for an exposed length of 5.3m north–south and a width of 6m, although it is visible intermittently in the southern section face of the trench for a further 2m. It is further recorded in the northern section face for 2m and 0.2m in depth.
Area 5, located 73m to the south-east of Area 1, comprised a hearth (Feature 1) and a single pit (Feature 2). The hearth was subcircular in plan and measured 1m east–west by 1.2m. Mottled red/yellowish-brown silty clay with moderate charcoal flecking was visible on the northern, north-eastern and southern side of the hearth, with in situ burning evident in the remainder of the hearth. A soil sample was taken for further analysis and dating purposes. Two heat-fractured flat hearthstones were located at the centre of the hearth. Feature 2 was located 0.7m north-east of Feature 1 and comprised a circular pit filled with sterile soft brown silty sand with occasional inclusions of small pebbles. The pit was half-sectioned and two pieces of quartz were retrieved from the fill. The cut has gradual break of slope-top, smooth gradually sloping sides with a slightly rounded base. This pit measures 0.4m in diameter and 0.15m in depth. Nothing of a datable nature was recorded within the fill of the pit.
The artefact-bearing potential of the spoil from the five areas of archaeology was assessed by metal detector C scope CS7, under licence 07R0054. No artefacts were encountered.