2019:442 - Garryantanvally 4, Kerry

Stage (iii) Excavation was carried out between 18 and 25 July 2019 at the site of Garryantanvally 4 in advance of construction of the N69 Listowel Bypass Scheme, Co. Kerry. The work was carried out under Ministerial Direction number A076 and Registration numbers E005064 (Excavation) and R000507 (Metal Detection), on behalf of Kerry County Council. The site was discovered in the south of the scheme in the townland of Garryantanvally during advance Stage (i) Test Excavations undertaken in 2018 by AMS.
The site comprised the levelled remains of a burnt mound and associated trough. The mound extends beyond the limit of excavation to the south and east. A palaeochannel was identified running in a north-west/south-east through the site. The mound was heavily disturbed by farming practices in the past and had been redeposited over the south-east portion of the palaeochannel.
The mound consisted of a single deposit of frequent heat-shattered sandstone in a dark greyish black clayey silt matrix, with moderate charcoal throughout. It measured a maximum of 17.1m by 8.8m within the excavation area and had a maximum thickness of 0.28m. The trough was revealed beneath the mound in the south of the site. It was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.9m by 1.48m by 0.48m in depth and contained four fills.
No artefacts were recovered from the excavations at the site. In the absence of absolute dating, given the nature of the site type, it would not be unreasonable to suggest a Bronze Age date for the archaeology at Garryantanvally 4.
Post-excavation analysis is ongoing and it is hoped that specialist reports, including radiocarbon dating and comparative research, will further enhance our understanding of the site.

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