County: Clare Site name: KILCORNEY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CL009-021020 Licence number: 02E1711
Author: Christine Grant
Site type: Prehistoric lithics
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 521865m, N 699291m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.038571, -9.165081
This licence was extended to carry out an excavation of a natural rock fissure that lies below levels excavated under the original licence. During the previous rescue excavation an early historic cist burial was excavated within a small cairn. The cairn is thought to be prehistoric in origin and lies within an enclosure, also considered to be prehistoric. A small number of prehistoric lithics were recovered from bedrock fissures close to the early historic cist burial but these fissures were in an area that had been disturbed. A survey of the wider area has brought to light several other enclosures that are thought to be prehistoric. These form a concentrated settlement area.
The site is now being further investigated as part of a research project. The aim of the excavation is to establish a tighter chronology for activity within the enclosure, and in particular the nature of pre-cairn activity. A small number of pieces of struck chert were recovered from the fissure, along with a small amount of animal bone. A stone was also uncovered that had either been set artificially or had fallen into the fissure. The stone has created a well-sealed context and it is planned that the material below this stone will be excavated in 2012.
Poulbaun, Corofin, Co. Clare.
