2011:314 - DROMAVALLY 2, Kerry

Excavations were undertaken at Dromavally 2 on behalf of Kerry County Council as part of Stage (iii) of the Archaeological Services Contract prior to the commencement of construction of the N22 Tralee Bypass/Tralee to Bealagrellagh, which extends from Lissatanvally townland to Flemby townland. The results of the excavation point to one phase of activity at the site, represented by a burnt mound and its associated components. A trough was located towards the centre of the site; it was oval in plan, measuring 2.25m (east–west) by 1.8m by 0.56m deep. Its two fills consisted of dark peaty silty clay, which contained much heat-affected stone and charcoal. A deposit of yellowish-brown stony, sandy gravel was identified at the eastern edge of the site at the western bank of a small stream. It measured 3m in length (north–south), 1m in width and 0.2m in depth. Overlying the trough was the main burnt mound material. This measured 8m long (north–south) by 6m wide and was up to 0.5m deep. It comprised brownish-black silty clay, which contained much heat-affected stone and charcoal inclusions. This deposit contained a lens of redeposited natural 0.08m deep. Two subcircular post-holes were also identified at the south of the site. These measured 0.26m by 0.2m in diameter and 0.16m–0.19in depth. They were filled by dark brownish-black silty clay, with occasional small stones and pebbles.

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