2017:595 - BAILE AN BHÚLAERAIGH THEAS (Ballybowler South), Kerry

Test excavation was undertaken in April 2017 with regard to a planning application to construct a single house dwelling at Ballybowler South, Dingle, Co. Kerry. The proposed development site partially extends within the northern-eastern limits of the zone of notification of Lisbaun Ringfort, KE043-195001 and associated Children’s Burial Ground, KE043-195002.

Four parallel test trenches (T1–T4), extending for a total of 140 linear meters, 1.7m in width, were excavated across the footprint of the site. Topsoil comprised of mid-greyish brown to mid-brown silty sandy clay with frequent small stones, that varied in depth from 0.4m to 0.6m. It overlay light orange to yellow natural subsoil with moderate to frequent green sandstone inclusions.

An area of archaeological interest was recorded in T3 comprising a pit-like feature conjoined to a long curving narrow slot.

Excavation of these features was carried out under an extension to the licence in summer 2017.

A sub-rectangular area measuring 9m east-west x 2.7m was opened with a mini-digger exposing the features: (1) a shallow burnt pit, (2) a second pit (3) a 4.1m long curvilinear narrow slot-like feature associated with the second pit. The excavated feature, while morphologically unusual, is interpreted as a cereal-processing area as environmental sieving produced large amounts of carbonised cereal grains. No artefacts were recovered.