2024:782 - Aghanagran Lower, Kerry

The archaeological excavation at Aghanagran Lower, Co. Kerry revealed the remains of a burnt mound, timber-lined trough, a water-hole, pit and a curved north-west/south-east running feature. Charcoal recovered from the trough has been dated to the Middle Bronze Age or to between cal BC 1415-1217 (UBA-56968).

The mound of burnt stone (c. 8m x  5.5m x 0.3m in depth)  was comprised of heat-shattered sandstone overlying a trough feature in the east. The excavation of the tough revealed a basal fill of stone and large fragments of charred alder. The base of the trough was lined with wooden oak planks. The excavations recorded stake-holes at the north-east, south-west and south-east corners of the trough. One oak stake remained in situ, at an angle, and appears to have supported the stake-hole to the north.

A sub-circular pit feature (2m north-south x 1.6m, depth of 0.64m), to the south of the trough, contained wooden planks along the northern edge of the cut, which may have been utilised as steps. The pit naturally filled with water and the branch wood at the base could have formed a lining to keep the water clear.

A total of 3 wood samples and one charcoal sample were identified and analysed by Dr. Ellen O’Carroll. The wood samples were taken from the timber-lined trough. The three timbers were identified as oak split planks and the charcoal present in the sample was all large alder charcoal fragments. Primary woodlands comprising of oak were available as well as alder, a wetland type tree.  Woodworking evidence included split wood. The base oak timbers were radial and irregular split.

Timber-lined trough

Section through burnt mound

Stepped water hole