County: Tipperary Site name: 13LIS-007, Killoran, Moyne
Sites and Monuments Record No.: various Licence number: 13E0180
Author: Tim Coughlan
Site type: Stake row, possible hurdle panel
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 622193m, N 667017m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.753750, -7.671250
Following an assessment of the proposed impact of an extension to the Tailings Management Facility (TMF) in Lisheen Mine, 16 archaeological sightings were recorded in June 2013 (see 13E059). A programme of excavation was carried out between July and September 2013 which resulted in the excavation of these 16 sites and a further 28 sites which were identified during the course of excavation.
Site 13LIS-007 extended over an area measuring 10m x 2.2m and consisted of a north-west/south-east aligned stake row, a centrally located possible hurdle and some associated brushwood and roundwood elements.
The stake row consisted of 101 stakes recorded over 7.5m set at intervals varying between 0.05-0.2m. The recorded diameter and length of the stakes varied along the alignment with those in the north-west area recorded as generally between 20-30mm in diameter and 0.5-0.8m in length, whilst those in the south-east were generally recorded as 15-20mm in diameter and 0.2-0.45m in length. The majority of the stakes had a chisel point end with a small number recorded as wedge points. Whilst no distinctive pattern could be identified, it was noted that the central area (around the location of the possible hurdle panel described below) had a significantly higher density of stakes. The stake row is likely to be related to other stake rows identified in the vicinity, and thus is of broadly contemporary date and function, acting to delineate wetter areas of the bog.
The possible hurdle panel measured 1.35m by 1.2m with a maximum depth of 0.1m. The poorly preserved remains of 2-3 sails set at intervals of 0.12m were recorded, as were several possible rod fragments.
The poorly preserved brushwood and roundwood elements were situated at the west-north-west end of the stake row. This consisted of 4 pieces of loosely laid brushwood and roundwood orientated north-east/south-west and extended over an area measuring 2.6m by 1.8m. The majority of the sampled elements were identified as hazel brushwood (90%). The timbers were loosely arranged and any suggested relationship with the other elements was based solely on relative proximity rather than clear structural relationships.
This site was fully resolved and no further archaeological mitigation is required.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
