2013:404 - Caher, Kerry

An excavation was carried out in advance of the development of rugby playing fields, a club house and car parking facilities for Killarney Rugby Football Club during December 2012 until January 2013. An initial Impact Assessment (11E0257) was undertaken across the development area, uncovering features of archaeological potential. Subsequent monitoring was carried out, which also identified features of archaeological interest. The development area consisted of three fields with archaeological features uncovered within the central and northern fields.

Five features were identified within the central field: a sub-circular fulacht fiadh (F01) (dims. c. 16m north-south by 18m); two sub-circular pits (F02 dims. c. 1.45m north-south by 1.65m and F03 dims. 1.7m north-south by 1.5m); probable pot boilers; an oblong pit with charcoal (F04) (dims. c. 2m north-south by c. 2.5m) and an area of oxidized clay (F05) (diam. c. 2m). Three features were identified within the northern field: a sub-circular fulacht fiadh (F06) (dims. c. 6.5m north-south by 3.75m); remains of an oval pit with oxidized clay (F07) (diam. c. 0.7m) and an irregular shaped pit (F08) (diam. c. 0.5m).

A further twenty-one features associated with five of those originally identified, were recorded during the excavation. This includes three troughs within the large fulacht fiadh (F01) and three post-holes within the base of the central trough. A single trough was recovered within the centre of the smaller fulacht fiadh (F06). Three stake-holes were found around the exterior of pit (F05) and may have supported a form of wind-break or cooking feature associated with this pot boiler. Three post-holes and eight stake-holes were associated with the spread of oxidized clay (F05).

Central Field

The fulacht fiadh (F01) contained a typical deposit of charcoal and heat-shattered stone indicative of burnt mound activity. This fill was constant throughout the feature. Three separate troughs (F24-F26) extending (long-axis north-west/south-east) from the centre of the feature, indicate a period of prolonged use. The first trough (F24) was circular in plan, having a U-shaped cut with steep sides and three small stake-holes cut into its base. It is probable that this trough was the first trough constructed within the fulacht fiadh and is consequentially located at the very centre of the burnt spread. At some point this trough was abandoned and the second trough (F25) came into use. This trough was rectangular in shape having a U-shaped cut and contained no stake-holes. Upon abandonment of the second trough, a third and final trough (F26) was in use. This was also rectangular in plan, had a U-shaped cut with steep sides and contained no stake-holes.

It is interesting to note that the shape of the troughs had changed between the first and last troughs which may indicate different functions. It is also possible that the first and smaller trough (F24) was an exploratory trough to determine if fulacht fiadh activity was feasible on this site. When it was determined that this was possible, the first trough was abandoned and a second more substantial trough (F25) was used. The third trough (F26) was very similar to the second, yet slightly deeper and is likely to have been more suitable to this site. This may account for the reuse of this design in the third trough. At some point the third trough itself was abandoned and fulacht fiadh activity upon the site ceased. Over time the mound eventually spread out covering the three troughs and the visible fulacht fiadh itself disappeared from the landscape. It is noted however, that this fulacht fiadh is located on slightly higher ground from the surrounding field.

Three pits (F02-F04) were located c. 17m to the west and a hearth (F05), was located c. 15m to the west-north-west of the fulacht fiadh (F01). (F02 and F03) are regular shaped, shallow pits likely to be associated with the fulacht fiadh due to their close proximity and the similar material recovered within. It appears that these features were pot boilers or single event firing pits which are routinely found within Bronze Age landscapes. The hearth (F05) is comprised of an area of burnt clay indicating in situ burning. A series of stake-holes surrounding the hearth may indicate either a possible temporary wind break or perhaps wooden stakes for an open roasting pit. The latter is feasible given the small, unidentifiable fragments of burnt bone which were recovered from the fill of this hearth. It appears that the two pits (F02 and F03) and the hearth (F05) are likely to be roughly contemporary with the fulacht fiadh (F01).

Northern Field

The fulacht fiadh (F06) situated in the northern field was a relatively small feature (dims. 6.1m north-south by 6m) with a single, shallow trough located at the centre. The fulacht fiadh contained a typical deposit of charcoal and heat-shattered stone indicative of burnt mound activity. The trough, being of shallow depth and irregular shape, is likely to indicate a single use. The small dimensions of the fulacht fiadh (F06) and its trough indicate that this was a feature used for short period of time and subsequently abandoned. There were no other features of archaeological interest within the immediate environs of this burnt mound and no artefacts were recovered.

Also encountered within the northern field were two small pits (F07 and F08) located further to west-north-west and north-west of the fulacht fiadh (F06). These features were shallow pits with a charcoal-rich fill. The oval pit (F07) had evidence of in situ burning and may be associated with the fulacht fiadh (F06). The pit (F07) does not appear to be a pot boiler as it is shallow in depth and did not contain any heat-shattered stone. The oval pit (F07) appears simply to be an isolated, single event, domestic hearth.

This excavation has recorded numerous features of archaeological interest including two fulacht fiadh with troughs and associated features which all indicate that this was an area of Bronze Age domestic activity. Environmental samples have been taken from secure contexts within these features. A range of samples have been selected for laboratory analysis to confirm a date range for this site through the application of radiocarbon dating.

Alison McQueen & Associates, Bunglasha, Glencar, Killarney, Co. Kerry.