2013:267 - 13LIS-044 Killoran, Moyne, 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.

This site consisted of four structural elements: a trackway comprised mainly of brushwood and roundwood, an orientated east-west track, lying above a track comprised of small roundwoods and brushwood with a hurdle (wattle) structure at its centre (orientated west-east). Two further tracks orientated north-east/south-west were also noted, one comprised of mixed brushwood, and roundwood, and a smaller brushwood, roundwood and timber track.

The first element was constructed as a single layer of roundwoods with brushwoods set in between and partly on top. The trackway measured up to 11.4m in length, between 1.6-2m in width and up to 0.17m in depth. The mainly hazel brushwood elements ranged from 20-60mm in diameter and up to 3m in length; the mainly ash and birch roundwood elements ranged from 65-150mm in diameter and from 1.1-4m in length. Timber #103, a brushwood from trackway c443, was oak in composition and had a chisel pointed end with partial jam curves, which were square and small measuring 32mm in width. .

The second trackway was mainly of birch brushwoods and roundwoods, measuring 25.5 m in length. The track generally ranged from 0.7-1.9m in width, however it measured 2.3m in width at its western extent in field 1B. (due to 443 lying above it??). The brushwood elements ranged from 0.4m-3m in length and from 20-60mm in width and the roundwood elements ranged from 1.2-4m in length and from 65-170mm in diameter. The mainly wattle wattle hurdle panel measured c. 3.8m in length and 1.7m in width, with transverse sails set on top of longitudinal rods.

The third trackway was constructed primarily of birch brushwood, roundwood and timber elements orientated north-east/south-west), and extending for 11.9 m in length. The average depth of the track however ranged from 60-120mm and it was moderately dense in its construction for the most part. Two half split timbers were located at the eastern end of c445, one a transverse worked alder timber with some visible toolmarks including one facet measuring 110mm x 60mm.

The fourth trackway was constructed of mainly birch brushwood, roundwood and timber elements. Two of the larger roundwood elements were interpreted as forming a frame orientated north-east/south-west, on either side of the worked timber and the brushwood elements. The track measured 5m in length, 1.45m in width and up to 0.3m in depth. One of the alder timbers (measured 1.35m in length) from this trackway had a half sectioned outer split conversion and aside from surface branch trimming, several tool facets up to 110mm x 105mm were noted.

The fourth trackway was interpreted as connecting onto plank trackway 13LIS14. Some gravel patches were noted in the peat below the wood and this may be due to proximity to a burnt mound site 13LIS45??

Preliminary dates from samples taken from the Togher Class 2 returned two dates of 507-379 BC (UBA 25567) and 770-432 BC (UBA 25565).

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

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