2022:175 - Kiltiernan Domain, Kiltiernan, Dublin

A programme of archaeological monitoring and subsequent excavation took place in Kiltiernan Domain townland, Co. Dublin in June and July 2022.

The three fulachtaí fia or burnt mound sites were excavated in the east of the proposed development. They were situated on the east of a former wetland area, which had subsequently become a small bog. Granite was the stone utilised at the fulachts and is readily available in the surrounding area. The waste within the burnt mound spreads was frequently broken down to coarse scorched granitic sand.

Fulacht 1 included a burnt spread measuring 10m by 6.1m, which survived to a maximum depth of 0.35m. It overlay two large partially stone-lined troughs, one of which was sub-rectangular and the second sub-circular. A later smaller sub-circular trough was also present, partially truncating the earlier troughs. A number of large scorched granite stones were present within the later trough, possibly from its final use or stones that had been set aside for reuse.

A slightly curving alignment of four post-holes was identified to the west of the troughs, which was also sealed by the burnt mound material. These may relate to a windbreak structure, or to a former fence-line enclosing the burnt mound.

A flint arrowhead and nine sherds of prehistoric ceramic were retrieved from the upper fill of one of the troughs, while a flint blade, two scrapers and debitage were retrieved from the burnt mound along with an intrusive sherd of medieval ceramic.

Three pits were identified to the west of the fulacht in an area that was heavily truncated by post-medieval and modern drainage.

A number of agricultural drainage features were identified truncating the fulacht, which was also crossed by a series of furrows.

Fulacht 2 included a burnt mound measuring 20m by 11.6m, which survived to a depth of 0.2m. It overlay one sub-oval trough, which was heavily truncated by later drainage. A small post-medieval pit was also overlaid by the burnt mound indicating it had spread from its original position, while a single post-hole was uncovered to the east. A concentration of prehistoric ceramic was identified within the burnt mound spread to the south-east of the trough. Over 300 sherds were retrieved from a 1.8m by 1.2m area. Some of the sherds were decorated. This concentration of ceramics may relate to a single vessel, though further analysis is needed to assess this.

The western side of the fulacht was heavily truncated by a number of agricultural drainage features.
Fulacht 3 was located on slightly higher ground to the east and was more severely impacted by agricultural activity. The burnt mound no longer survived. A rectangular trough was identified with a number of large scorched stones at the base, similar to those within the later trough of Fulacht 1. A curvilinear slot trench was identified to the south of the trough and two stake-holes were uncovered to the east. These may relate to a lightweight shelter or structure associated with the fulacht. A pit was also present beside the trough, which contained a silty clay fill. It was unclear if this was related to the fulacht.

On the western side of the wetland a heavily truncated sub-oval pit was identified. The base and surviving sides of the pit were clay lined and the peaty fill contained six sherds of prehistoric ceramic. A smaller pit was also uncovered nearby. The larger pit may be the remains of a fulacht trough, though the surviving fill was not similar to that of the other troughs. The fill was similar to the peat that had formed within the wetlands to the east and may represent another form of interaction of prehistoric people with the wetlands around what is now Kiltiernan.

Despite ceramics rarely being retrieved from these sites, some were previously identified at another fulacht near Kiltiernan at Glenamuck North (Licence No. 21E0734, Excavations Ref. 2021:224). The other three sites where ceramics have been retrieved from burnt mounds in County Dublin are all within 3.5km of the site. This may indicate a specific activity being carried out at these fulacht fiadh sites in South Dublin, though further analysis of the ceramics is required to investigate this.

A second phase of topsoil stripping is due to take place in the western part of the site and in the exclusion zones beneath power lines in early 2023.

Archaeology Plan, 32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2