2013:250 - MOYNE: 13LIS-0014, Killoran, Tipperary

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.

The site consisted of longitudinal (east-west) oak planks with a substructure of horizontally (north-east/south-west) laid brushwood elements. The wood was poorly preserved, with tool marks and mortises are not visible anymore. The substructure was quiet fragmented with very soft and broken worked ends. The plank elements were set in a linear arrangement with some having been moved/displaced. There were no pegs associated with any of the possible mortices which gives the impression that these timbers may have been re-used. The site was within moderately (h2-h3) degraded sphagnum peat with some possible pool peat.

A sample taken following the initial assessment of the site was forwarded for dendrochronology dating and returned a date 1035BC ± 9 year or later (Q11525), suggesting the site was late Bronze Age in date. This date was viewed with some scepticism on the basis of the stratigraphic relationship to other surrounding sites which had been radiocarbon dated. Subsequent radiocarbon dating of a sample from the trackway resulted in date, 471-232 BC (UBA 25561), indicating an early Iron Age date for the site. This later date is regarded as being more consistent with the results from surrounding excavations.

This site was fully resolved and no further archaeological mitigation is required.