2019:428 - GORTANAHANEBOY WEST, Kerry

Stage (i)a Test Excavations, Stage (i)f Townland Boundary Survey Services and Stage (i)g Topographical Survey Services were carried out on behalf of Kerry County Council on lands acquired for construction of the N72 Stagmount Bends Road Improvement Scheme, in the townlands of Gortanahaneboy East and Gortanahaneboy West, in Co. Kerry.

Townland boundary survey
A single townland boundary (TD01) intersects the route of the N72 Stagmount Bends Road Improvement Scheme. TD01 was subject to a Type B survey. No suitable dating material was available from the test excavations undertaken at the boundary. A single sherd of modern white glazed ceramic was recovered from the fill of a field drain associated with the townland boundary.

Topographical survey
Type A topographical surveys were undertaken at two earth-fast boulders – ARCH03 and ARCH04 − located in the same field. The survey included i) desk-study ii) a comprehensive written and photographic record of the size, form, fabric and structure of ARCH03 and ARCH04 and iii) reporting and preparation of a relevant archive. The record included the dimensions of each element of the sites, including height/depth, width at base and width at top. Topographical ground plans, profiles and 3D photogrammetry models were undertaken of ARCH03 and ARCH04.
Test excavations
The total area available for test excavations was approximately 3.596ha. The scheme was divided by field into 18 areas (Field 1–Field 18) for recording purposes. 2,502 linear metres were excavated, representing a 12% sample of the greenfield area available for test excavations. During the test trenching, six sites of archaeological potential were found: Gortanahaneboy West 1, Gortanahaneboy West 2, Gortanahaneboy West 3, Gortanahaneboy East 1, Gortanahaneboy East 2 and Gortanahaneboy East 3. The majority of the sites appear to be prehistoric in date and point to evidence for a relict landscape of Bronze Age date and possibly earlier. Post-medieval activity was also identified along the scheme. A single sherd of modern white glazed ceramic was recovered from the fill of a modern field drain, while a clay pipe stem fragment was recovered from topsoil during the testing.
Gortanahaneboy West 1 comprised two post-holes and two pits that possibly represents a small habitation site. Gortanahaneboy West 2 consisted of a single isolated pit containing charcoal. Gortanahaneboy West 3 comprised two burnt spreads of heat-shattered sandstone in a charcoal-enriched clayey silt matrix. No other associated features were revealed in testing in association with the burnt spreads. Gortanahaneboy East 1 consisted of a single burnt spread of heat-shattered sandstone in a charcoal-enriched clayey silt matrix. No other associated features were revealed in testing in association with the burnt spread. Gortanahaneboy East 2 comprised the remains of a metalled surface possibly representing a section of the eighteenth-century Rathmore to Killarney turnpike road. A single sherd of modern brown glazed ceramic was recovered from topsoil while investigating the site of Gortanahaneboy East 2. Gortanahaneboy East 3 consisted of the remains of a metalled surface and associated drain possibly representing a section of the eighteenth-century Rathmore to Killarney turnpike road.
No objects of archaeological interest were identified during metal detecting.
Construction works on site will result in the total removal of the six sites identified. Therefore, the sites as defined by the Stage (i) testing are recommended for Stage (ii) pre-excavation preparatory work and full excavation as part of the Stage (iii) works.

Archaeological Management Solutions Ltd., Unit 1, Hector Street Mills, Kilrush, Co. Clare.