Eachtra Journal

Issue 5 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report E0647 - Garraundarragh / Urrohogal, Co. Kerry

Burnt mounds Final Excavation Report N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) Road Improvement Scheme CONTRACT 2

March 2010

Client: Road Design Office, Kerry County Council, The Island Centre, Castleisland, Co. Kerry

Licence No.: 04E0647 Licensee: Jacinta Kiely

Contact details: The Forge, Written by: Jacinta Kiely & Tony Bartlett Innishannon, Co. Cork. Tel.: 021 470 16 16 Fax: 021 470 16 28

E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.eachtra.ie

04E0647 N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) - CONTRACT 2 ISSUE 5: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ...... ii Background...... 1 Site location and description...... 1 Archaeological and historical background...... 1 Excavation Results...... 3 Fulacht fiadh 1 in Garraundarragh townland...... 3 Trough Timbers...... 4 Fulacht fiadh 2 in Urrohogal townland...... 5

Interpretation ...... 6 References...... 7 Figures...... 8 Plates...... 19 Appendix 1: Context Register...... 23 Appendix 2: Matrix...... 25 Appendix 3: Radiocarbon Dating Results...... 26 Appendix 4: Plant Remains...... 28

Acknowledgements Eachtra Archaeological Projects wish to acknowledge the assistance of Kerry County Council, Kerry National Road Design Office, Project Archaeologist Sébastien Joubert, Martin Reid of National Mon- uments Section of the Dept. of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Denis Moriarty Plant Hire.

Copyright Notice: Please note that all original information contained within this report, including all original drawings, photographs, text and all other printed matter deemed to be the writer’s, remains the property of the writer and Eachtra Archaeological Projects and so may not be reproduced or used in any form withoutthe written consent of the writer or Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

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Background The National Roads Authority is undertaking a programme of works to upgrade the N22 between Cork and Tralee. Part of this work involves the realignment of circa 3.8km of the N22 between Gortatlea and Farranfore, Co. Kerry. Eachtra Archaeological Projects carried out a programme of centreline and offset testing, under licence 04E104, on behalf of Kerry County Council in relation to the N22 road improvement scheme. The nature and extend of a fulacht fiadh, identified in the AIS in Garraundar- ragh townland (Chainage 8059-8084 & National Grid Reference 92917/107315 – 92912/107296) was tested (Figure 2). The fulacht fiadh was subsequently excavated under licence 04E0647. In addition to this, a truncated fulacht fiadh mound was uncovered during monitoring of topsoil stripping at chainage 8120-8137, (National Grid Reference 92888.43/107262.87 – 92885.86/107245.21) in Ur- rohogal townland. The second fulacht fiadh was excavated under an extension of 04E0647.

Site location and description Thefulachta fiadh are located in the townlands of Garraundarragh and Urrohogal in the parish of Cur- rans and the barony of Trughanacmy in north Kerry, c. 4km north of Farranfore and c. 8km south-east of Tralee town (Figures 1 & 2). Garrandarragh is an anglicisation of Garrán darach or oaky under- wood. Urrohogal or Ura Seagail means borderland of the rye (OS Name Books 1840). The principal soil in the area comprises gleys, a soil type associated with rolling lowland. The associated soils are acid brown earths and peats which are derived from upper carboniferous shale and sandstone and glacial till respectively (Gardiner et. al. 1980, 36). The clay plus silt contents can be up to 80% in the subsoil (ibid. 79). The soils have a limited use range and are not suitable for tillage. The grazing season would be confined largely to the summer period ibid( . 80).

The fields in which thefulachta fiadh were situated were wet and poorly drained pasture. The MacGil- lycuddy Reeks and Molls Gap were visible to the south.

Archaeological and historical background The archaeological landscape in the general area extends from the Late Neolithic/Bronze Age to the Medieval Period. Prehistoric monuments in the surrounding landscape include standing stones and fulachta fiadh(Figure 2). Standing stones or gallaun/gallán are the simplest and most numerous of Irish megalithic monuments. Two standing stones are located in Garraundarragh townland (KE039 -106 & -114). These monuments have been interpreted in various ways. Excavations of some examples showed that they marked burials of a Bronze Age date (1400 – 700 BC). Others are interpreted as boundary markers or ancient routeways or were used to commemorate important ritualistic or ceremonial events or possibly as the remaining evidence of a once more complex feature. Some examples are found in isolation while others occur in close proximity to other archaeological features eg. decorated stones, wedge tombs or ring-barrows.

Fulachta fiadh are the most common Bronze Age monument in Ireland. Two fulachta fiadh are located close to the route (KE039 -067 & -109) and an additional eight new sites were recorded. Three sites

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were recorded in Garraundarragh townland within the area of the road take. Two were excavated by the author under licence 04E0647 & 04E0647extension, the third was excavated by N. O’Callaghan under licence 04E0646. A further five burnt mound deposits were recorded while monitoring topsoil stripping at a ‘borrow site’ in the same townland c. 80m to the west of 04E0646 (Fig. 2). The sites were located outside the lands made available for the road improvement scheme. The sites were recorded and mapped and covered with geoterim. These monuments survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt packed with heat-shattered stones and are generally situated close to a water source. In many cases, however, all that survives to the present day are black spreads with fragments of shattered stones visible in ploughed fields. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cooking places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth and subsequently placed in a trough of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot stones and wrapped food was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and charcoal that were removed and formed the basis of the familiar mound. The absence of animal remains and the scarcity of associated hearths have fuelled the debate in relation to the function of the sites. Other theories on their interpretation include bathing and dyeing textiles together with the production of hot water and steam for curative purposes and sweat houses (Kelly 1989, 225). Waddell (1998, 177) suggests the semi-industrial purpose of using the boiling water for dipping hides as part of the preparation of the leather, while Dunne (pers. comm.) suggests a relationship between burnt mounds and Bronze Age funerary rites and burial practices.

Six new archaeological sites were recorded in the townlands of Gortatlea and Flemby on a previous phase of N22 realignment from Bealagrellagh to Gortatlea by Eachtra Archaeological Projects and Aegis Archaeology Ltd. A ditched enclosure (00E0779) measuring 16.6 by 15.9m was recorded in Gor- tatlea (Bennett 2002, 146). A complex of pits, containing Beaker pottery, a burnt mound and a ring barrow (00E0769) were excavated in Gortatlea and Flemby (ibid.). Two burnt mounds were recorded in Flemby (00E0245). Evidence of timber lining was recorded in the trough associated with one of the mounds (ibid. 145).

The landscape is dominated by the presence of Early Medieval activity characterized by ringforts and earthen enclosures. Twelve ringforts are located in close proximity to the road (KE039 -017, - 061, -062, -068, -071, -072, -073, -070, -107, -108, -113, & -121) Ringforts are the most numerous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30 and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s (Barry, 1987). As a result of continued research these monuments have a narrow date range during the Early Christian period between the 7th and 9th centuries AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts they often take the form of a simple earth or stone enclosure and functioned as settlements for all classes of secular society (Stout, 1997). The western arc of the ditch of a ringfort, Lisdarrig KE039:071, was excavated by N. O’Callaghan under licence 04E0648. The entrance to the ringfort faced west-north-west.

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Excavation Results Fulacht fiadh 1 was recorded during Phase I testing c. 40m north of the townland boundary between Garraundarragh and Urrohogal in Garraundarragh. A second burnt mound, fulacht fiadh 2 was recorded during Phase II monitoring immediately south of the Garraundarragh and Urrohogal townland boundaries in Urrohogal, c. 36m to the south. The mounds were separated by and predated the townland boundary of Garraundarragh and Urrohogal. The results of both excavations are outlined below.

A grid was established in each area of excavation and the ground within it was cleaned by hand to locate and identify all archaeological features. Each identified feature was excavated, planned, pho- tographed and recorded, with every fill and cut being assigned a context number. Charcoal and soil samples were taken from appropriate fills where necessary. All artefacts were retrieved, registered, bagged and labelled.

Fulacht fiadh 1 in Garraundarragh townland This well-preserved fulacht fiadh was located in Field 13, a rough poorly drained field in pasture (Figures 3 & 4) c. 40m north of the southern boundary of Garraundarragh townland. The mound itself was well preserved standing to a maximum height of 0.8m and measured 15m north-south by 14m east-west in extent (plate 1). The mound material (C.3 & C.4) consisted of small fragments of burnt and heat shattered sandstone with frequent amounts of charcoal enriched silt. The heat-shattered sandstone fragments measured on average 0.08m by 0.08m in size. The material included patches of re-deposited yellow-white natural clay subsoil. One sample from the mound material was analysed for charred plant material but only charcoal was recovered. Two large troughs were located under the north-western portion of the mound (Figure 5). Both troughs cut the subsoil. The main mound material (C.3) formed the upper fill of each trough. The natural clay subsoil would have been very suitable for retaining water.

One trough (C.7) measured 4.4m by 3.1m by 1.05m in depth. It was non-symmetrical in plan (plate 2, figure 6 & 7). Four fills C.3, C.5, C.6 & C.11 were recorded in the trough. The underlying silts C.5 & C.6 were charcoal enriched and included heat shattered sandstone fragments. The base of the trough was lined with a compact white clay C.11. The average depth of the clay was 0.1m but a depth of 0.35m was recorded in the deeper western side. Two of the trough deposits (C.5 and C.6) were analysed for charred plant material and although no charred seeds were recovered the charcoal in the deposits has been identified as oak, hazel/alder and willow/poplar. These tree-types are often recovered at fulachta fiadh sites: much of Ireland was probably still covered by primary oak forest in the Bronze Age and damp-loving species such as alder and willow were common in the low-lying, damp areas where fulachta fiadh are generally situated.

Trough C.8 was located adjacent to, and to the east of, trough C.7 (plate 3, figure 6). A possible overflow channel connected the two troughs. It measured c. 0.3m north-south by 0.7m east-west by

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0.15m in depth. The plan of the trough suggested that the trough may have initially been rectangular in plan and that a substantially deeper circular section was dug in the southwest corner. No re-cut was recorded. The rectangular section measuredc . 1.7m north-south by 2.4m east-west and was 0.5m deep. The circular section measured c. 1.2m north-south by 1.7m east-west and was 1.2m deep. The circular section functioned like a well. It was cut below the water table or into a rising spring and filled with water (figure 8). Two fills (C.9 & C.10) were recorded in the trough. Five timbers were recovered from the basal fill in the area of the deeper well section (04E0647:10:1-5).

A Late Bronze Age radiocarbon date of 1000 to 790 cal BC was obtained from charcoal from the upper fill C.5 of trough C.7 (Beta 200762).

Trough Timbers Two pointed split oak planked stakes were recovered from the trough (C.8) (04E0647:10:1-2). Both timbers display numerous cut marks recorded on both the broad faces and the side edges. The pointed plank stakes (similar to wicket fencing) are also warped along their length across their broad faces. One of the pieces is degraded and eroded over approx. 60% of its length, possibly to due long term exposure in water.

The best preserved of the wooden stakes (04E0647:10:1) is in a remarkable state of preservation due to complete anaerobic environmental stratification. It is 1.05m in length by 0.11-0.12m wide by 0.04- 0.05m thick (Fig.10 & Plate 7). The pointing commences at c. 0.30m from one end with the final 0.11m finished off into a fine pencil like point that remarkably still survives. The opposite more squared end displays the effect of having been driven with a rounded implement (most likely a heavy rounded pole) as the impacted end is slightly concave. A vertical impact crack extends down along its much of its length. Several tool marks are disposed along the length of the artefact and appear to have been executed with at least two different metal tools. Some cut marks are straight edged and were probably executed by an axe. A heavy chop mark, made from a curved bladed tool, is visible on face 1 c. 0.23m from the point of the stake. A similar diagonal cut mark was recorded at the impacted end of the stake. The cuts were probably made with a curving metal edge (probably an adze with a transverse curve to its cutting edge similar to a woodcarver’s gouge).

The degraded stake (04E0647:10:2) is best preserved along its pointed end. It is almost identical to the other stake but it was heavily eroded due to exposure. It is 0.975m in length by 0.12m wide by 0.045m thick. The basal pointed section is in a very good state of preservation. It was narrowed to a point in the same fashion as its compatriot stake but the fine point was broken when originally driven (Fig. 11 & Plate 7).

Three pieces (04E0647:10:3-5) of natural bog oak were also recorded in the trough. Each piece was a naturally curved either root section or natural branch. None of the three displayed any cut marks and may have been thrown in to the trough after it had gone out of use.

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Fulacht fiadh 2 in Urrohogal townland The levelled fulacht fiadh was located in Field 14 a rough poorly drained pasture (Figures 2 & 3) close to the northern boundary of Urrohogal townland. The mound was disturbed to the north by a modern field boundary bank with associated drainage ditches on either side (Figure 9, plate 4). The construction of the boundary may well have been the action that levelled the mound. The mound was composed to two distinct layers, C.12 and C.14. Both were charcoal enriched silts with 70-80% heat shattered sandstone. C.12 was inspected for charred plant remains but no charred seeds were found. C.12 survived beneath the boundary bank; its physical relationship with the rest of the fulacht fiadh having been truncated by the southern drainage ditch (C19). Amorphous in plan, the mound had maximum dimensions of 17m north-south by 9.5m east-west. It ranged in depth from 0.04m to 0.34m (Figure 9). A trough (C.24) and a shallow pit (C.17) were recorded under the mound.

The trough (C.24) was located at the southern end of the mound. Sub-oval in plan, and orientated north-south, it measured 1.52m by 1.2m by 0.4m in depth (Figure 8, plate 5). Three fills C.21, C.22, & C.23 were recorded within the trough and were sealed by the main mound layer C.14. One of these deposits (C.23) was tested for the presence of charred macroplant remains but no charred seeds were found. The trough was cut into the natural clay subsoil.

A pit (C.17) was located 3.3m NNE of the trough (Figure 8, plate 6). Sub-circular in plan it measured 0.58m by 0.62m by 0.12m in depth. Two silty clay fills (C.15 and C.16) were recorded within the pit. Occasional fragments of metal slag were recorded within C.15 - the upper fill. The base of the pit was heat scorched but it did not show evidence of prolonged in situ burning. It is possible that material was deposited when it was hot which caused incidental scorching of the base of the pit.

Modern Agricultural Features A section of the field boundary was recorded in the northern area of the excavation (Figure 8). The field boundary forms the boundary between Garraundarragh and Urrohogal townlands. It is composed of a bank with a ditch located to the immediate north and south. The ditches (C.18 & C.19) measured 1.5m wide by 1m in depth. The earthen bank C.13 measured 3m wide at the base by 1m high.

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Interpretation Two previously unrecorded fulachta fiadh were discovered in close proximity to one another, in the townlands of Garraundarragh and Urrohogal. The mounds and troughs associated with the two sites were very different in terms of size. The composition of the mounds was similar being composed of heat shattered stone. The mound in Garraundarragh had survived to a general height of 0.8m and the two troughs were substantial in size. Both troughs cut the subsoil and it was not possible to establish a stratigraphic relationship between the two. Timbers were recorded in one of the troughs in which would suggest that it was timber lined originally. Charcoal from C.5 the fill of trough C.7 in Garraun- darragh has been dated to the Later Bronze Age cal BC 1000 to 790 (Beta 200762).

Charcoal from the mound C.2 associated with the fulacht fiadh excavated under licence 04E0646 further north in Garraundarragh was dated to the Middle Bronze Age cal BC 1530 to 1400 (Beta 200761). The dates contribute to the small but growing catalogue of dates for fulachta fiadh in Co. Kerry. Fulachta fiadh excavated further south in the townlands of Coolgarriv (Kiely 2000) and Bally- downey (Kiely 2002) near Killarney have produced an Iron Age date cal BC 410 to 160 (Beta 170031), a Middle Bronze Age date cal BC 1490 to 1200 (Beta 168811) and an Early Bronze Age date cal BC 1890 to 1540 (Beta 168809) respectively.

Prior to the archaeological works associated with the construction of the N22 between Gortatlea and Farranfore, two fulachta fiadh were recorded in Garraundarragh townland. In the course of archaeological work associated with the N22 project a total of eight new fulachta fiadh have been recorded, three of the sites have been excavated and five were recorded and covered. Fulachta fiadh are generally Bronze Age in date – as confirmed by the most recent radiocarbon dates obtained - and are a useful indicator of Bronze Age activity. There are no known Bronze Age settlement sites in the townland.

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References Barry, T.B. 1987 The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland. Routledge, London and New York.

Connolly, M. 2002 Gortatlea Ditched Enclosure in Bennett, I. (ed.), Excavations 2000, 146, Wordwell L|td.

Coyne, F. 2002 Gortatlea and Flemby Prehistoric burial and ritual in Bennett, I. (ed.), Excavations 2000, 146, Wordwell L|td.

Dunne. L., Dennehy, E. 2002 Flemby Fulachta Fiadh in Bennett, I. (ed.), Excavations 2000, 145, Wordwell L|td.

Gardiner, M.J. Radford, T. 1980 Soil Associations of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. An Foras Talúntais, Dublin.

Kelly, M. J. 1989 Early Ireland, An Introduction to Irish Prehistory. Cambridge University Press.

Kiely, J. 2000 Excavation of fulacht fiadh at Coolgarriv Co. Kerry. Unpublished excavation report Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

Kiely, J., O’Callaghan, N. 2002 Excavation of prehistoric and historic sites at Ballydowney, Co. Kerry. Unpublished excavation report Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

O’Callaghan, N. Excavation Report N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) Road Improvement Scheme 04E0646. Unpublished report, Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

O’Callaghan, N. Excavation Report N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) Road Improvement Scheme 04E0648. Unpublished report, Eachtra Archaeological Projects.

O’Donovan , J. (1840) Ordnance Survey Letters and Namebooks for County Kerry.

Stout, M. 1997 The Irish Ringfort, Four Courts Press, Dublin.

Waddell, J. 1998 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Galway University Press.

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Figures Figure 1: ExtractFigure 1: Discovery from OS map showing the existing and the N22 the line of new route.

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04E0648

Garraundarragh Townland

Borrow site

Fulacht Fiadh 04E0646

Fulachta Fiadh 04E0647

Legend Archaeology Fulacht Fiadh Enclosure Ringfort Standing Stone Townland Boundary New route of N22

Figure 2: Composite extract from RMP sheets KE039 & 048. Line of the new section of the N22 and the location of the new fulachta fiadh indicated.

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Garraundarragh Fulacht Fiadh

Urrohogal Fulacht Fiadh

0 250m Figure 3: Portion of the route of N22 showing location of the two fulachta fiadh.

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B1 Trough, F7

A1 A 092912, 107317 D1

A C

C1 Trough, C8 B D

Fulacht Fiadh mound, C3

92906, 107296 B

Baseline

A B

0 5 m Figure 4: Plan of the mound of the Garraundarragh fulacht fiadh and the location of the troughs. Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e0647-garraundarragh-urrohogal-co-kerry/ 11 04E0647 Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e0647-garraundarragh-urrohogal-co-kerry/

B1 Trough, C7

A1 N22 Gortatlea toFarranforeN22 Gortatlea (Inchinveema) -CONTRACT 2I

Trough, C8 SSUE

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D 0 1 m Figure 5: Post-excavation plan of the troughs C.7 & C.8. 12 04E0647 N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) - CONTRACT 2 ISSUE 5: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

A A1

C.7

0 1 m

B B1

0 1 m

Figure 6: Profiles of trough C.7.

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D D1

C.8

0 1 m

C C1

C.8

0 1 m

Figure 7: Profiles of trough C.8.

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N Garraundarragh & Urrohgal townland boundary E92888.43 N107262.87 A1 Limit of Drainage Ditch, Fulacht C18 C12 Fiadh

Existing Bank

Drainage Ditch, C19

C14

Limit of Fulacht Fiadh

B B1

C17

Area of Excavation

C24

E92885.86 N107245.21 C.P.O.

0 6 m Figure 8: Plan of extent of the Urrohogal fulacht fiadh mound.

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A A1 toFarranforeN22 Gortatlea (Inchinveema) -CONTRACT 2I

C14 Drainage ditch C21 Drainage ditch C22 C19 C23 C12 C18 C24

0 4 m

B B1

C17 C15 C16 SSUE

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0 0.5 m

Figure 9: Profile of mound C.14 and trough C.24. Profile of pit C.17. 16 04E0647 Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e0647-garraundarragh-urrohogal-co-kerry/

Face 1 N22 Gortatlea toFarranforeN22 Gortatlea (Inchinveema) -CONTRACT 2I

Face 2

Side Edge SSUE

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0 25 cm 17 Figure 10: Timber stake 04E0647:10:1. 04E0647 Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e0647-garraundarragh-urrohogal-co-kerry/ N22 Gortatlea toFarranforeN22 Gortatlea (Inchinveema) -CONTRACT 2I Face 1

Face 2

Face 3 SSUE

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0 25 cm

Figure 11: Timber stake 04E0647:10:2. 18 04E0647 N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) - CONTRACT 2 ISSUE 5: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

Plates

Plate 1: Mound of fulacht fiadh in Garraundarragh from southeast.

Plate 2: Aerial view of troughs C.7 in background and C.8 in foreground from southeast.

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Plate 3: Trough C.8 from east.

Plate 4: Mound of fulacht fiadh in Urrohogal from south.

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Plate 5: Trough C.24 from south.

Plate 6: Pit C.17 from south.

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50cm Plate 7: Timber stakes 04E0647:10:1 & 04E0647:10:2. 22 04E0647 N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) - CONTRACT 2 ISSUE 5: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237 - Soil 5 Soil 4 Soil 6 Soil 3 coal 2 Samples Finds 1-5 Soil 1 & 3, char

- -

ter recorded. Description 0.3m in size.0.3m to largeto stones throughout. inclusions charcoal of flecks. plan with vertical sides & flat base. elsewhere, base inclined towards SW. sandstone. in thickness. averaged Stones 0.07m mensions 0.08m x 0.08m x 0.08m & lens C.4 of x 0.08m x 0.08m mensions 0.08m Yellow-white clay, frequent inclusions charcoal of clay, Yellow-white flecks. unburnt stones. Average depth 0.10m, depth well of unburnt section stones. Average depth 0.35m. 0.10m, Grey-black charcoal enriched silt with 80% heat shattered sandstone. Charcoalenriched withsilt 90% heatshattered sandstone, average di Loosely compacted black Sub-rectangular in plan, rounded corners, gentle break of slope-top at N; sharp elsewhere, gentle silt break of slope at base at N & sharpW; with Irregular in plan, break of slope at top sharp, frequent sides vertical, break of baseat slope sharp, base flat. section introughWell SW of circular in Mid grey silt with 50% large unburnt stones, up to 0.4m x 0.3m x Mid green-yellow sand, includedit 5 fragments of timber. Rising wa Loosely compacted dark brown-black silt with 70% heat shattered Moderately compact mid grey-brown clayey silt with moderate small Compact white clay, included occasionalflatlargecharcoalincludedflecks & of clay, white Compact Dimensions 15m NS x 14m x 14m NS 15m EW x 0.8m deep 2.5m NNE-2.5m SSW x WSW-ENE 3m deep x 0.50m 2.5m NNE-2.5m SSW x 2m WSW-ENE x deep 0.12m 4.40m NNE- SSW x 3.10m WSW-ENE x deep 1.05m x 3.30m 4.63m deep x 0.95m 1.4m x 1.2m x x 1.2m 1.4m deep 0.650m 1m x 1.3m x x 1.3m 1m deep 0.35m 2.5m N-S x 4m N-S x 4m 2.5m x 0.34m E-W deep 3m at base3m by in height 1m 4.63m x 3.30m 4.63m deep. x 0.35m & C.10 & C.10 C.7 & C.8 C.6 & C.11 Overlay C.12 Underlay C.5 Underlay Underlay C.9 Underlay Underlay C.3Underlay Underlay C.3Underlay Underlay C.6Underlay Underlay C.13 Underlay Intrepretation Overlay trough Filled with C.5, FilledwithC.5, Filled with C.9 Subsoil Topsoil Context Cut of trough of Cut trough of Cut Fill trough of C.7 Fill trough of C.8 Fill trough of C.7 Fill trough of C.7 Redeposited natural Field boundaryField bank Main mound material Basal fill trough of C.8 Secondary layermound material of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 10 13 12 Context No. 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 04E0647 Licence No. 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext Appendix 1: Context Register Appendix 1:

Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e0647-garraundarragh-urrohogal-co-kerry/ 23 04E0647 N22 Gortatlea to Farranfore (Inchinveema) - CONTRACT 2 ISSUE 5: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237 Soil 1 Soil 2 Soil 4 Samples - - - ness. thickness. Description filled with mound material. Modern field boundary ditch. Modern field boundary ditch. casional small fragments metal of slag. a rounded base. Overall concave profile. charcoal flecks and sub-angular pebbles. gradual slope. Gradual break slope base. of Flat base. 80% heat shattered sandstones that averaged in 0.08m thickness. and occasional charcoal flecks. averaged Stones in 0.08m thickness. Moderately compact light grey-brown silty clay with occasional char coal flecks and 10% un-burnt sandstones. Stones averaged 0.08m in Moderately compact mottled mid yellow-brown silty clay. Frequent smallorange lumps of burnt clay and occasional charcoal flecks. Oc Moderatelycompact mid grey silty clay un-burnt withsanstones 10% Moderatelycompactsiltybark black-brown clayloam with occasional Moderately compact dark grey-brown charcoal enriched with 70% clayeyheat shattered sandstone. silt Stones averaged 0.08m in thick Sub-oval in plan, orientated north-south. Gradual break top. slope of Sharp, almost vertical sides except in the S where it was more of a Number given to possible pit fill Numbergiven possible to pit that was resolved as naturala hollow Loose to moderately compact charcoalcompactmoderatelysilt. Loose to enriched darkblack-brown Sub-circularinplan. Sharp with breaktop concavesides slope onto of 1.52m N-S 1.52m E-x 1.2m Min W. 0.06mdepth (S) Max depth (N) 0.26m x 0.4m N-S x E-W 0.42m N-Sx 0.4m x deep. 0.08m N-S x 1.52m x E-W 1.2m deep. 0.18m 0.62m E-W x x E-W 0.62m N-S x 0.58m 0.04m deep. x 1.2m E-W. N-S 1.52m E-W. x 1.2m Min depth (N) 0.1m Max depth 0.3m (S) 1.52m N-S x 1.52m x E-W 1.2m deep 0.4m 1.5m wide, wide, 1.5m deep. 1m wide, 1.5m deep. 1m Dimensions 13m N-S x 13m x E-W 9.5m average0.3m depth. x E-W 0.62m N-S x 0.58m deep. 0.12m C.17 C.21-C.23 C.15 & C.16 C.15 Underlay C.15 Underlay Underlay C.14 Underlay C.14 Underlay Underlay C.21 Underlay Underlay C.22Underlay Intrepretation Filled with Overlay trough C.24 & pit Filled with ditch ditch Context Cut of pit of Cut Cut of trough of Cut Fill of pit C.17 Fill pit of Fill of pit C.17 Fill pit of Mound materialMound Fill trough of C.24 Fill trough of C.24 Fill trough of C.24 Non ArchaeologicalNon Northern field boundary drainage Southern field boundary drainage 15 19 17 14 18 16 21 24 23 22 20 Context No. Licence No. 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext 04E0647 Ext

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Appendix 2: Matrix

3 18 19 13

12 14 5 9

6 15 21 10 11 22 16 7 8 23

17 24

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Appendix 3: Radiocarbon Dating Results

Beta Analytic Inc. 4985 SW 74 Court Miami, Florida 33155 USA Tel: 305 667 5167 Fax: 305 663 0964 [email protected] Www.radiocarbon.com Consistent Accuracy... Delivered On Time.

Sample Data Measured 13C/12C Conventional Radiocarbon Age Ratio Radiocarbon Age(*)

Beta - 200761 3220 +/- 40 B P -26.3 o/oo 3200 +/ - 40 B P SAM PLE : 04E0646: 2:1 ANALYSIS : AM S-Standard delivery MATERIAL/PRETREATMENT : (charred material): acid/alkali/acid 2 SIGM A C ALIB RATION : Cal BC 1530 to 1400 (Cal BP 3480 to 3350) ______

Beta - 200762 2730 +/- 70 B P -26.3 o/oo 2710 +/ - 70 B P SAM PLE : 04E0647: 5:5 ANALYSIS : Radiom etric-Standard delivery MATERIAL/PRETREATMENT : (charred material): acid/alkali/acid 2 SIGM A C ALIB RATION : Cal BC 1000 to 790 (Cal BP 2950 to 2740) ______

Beta - 200763 760 +/- 40 B P -26.3 o/oo 740 +/ - 40 B P SAM PLE : 04E0648: 5:0 ANALYSIS : AM S-Standard delivery MATERIAL/PRETREATMENT : (charred material): acid/alkali/acid 2 SIGM A CALIB RATION : Cal AD 1230 t o 1300 (Cal BP 720 to 650) ______

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CALIBRATION OF RADIOCARBON AGE TO CALENDAR YEARS (Variables: C13/C12=-26.3:lab. mult=1) La borato ry num ber: Beta-200762 Conventional radiocarbon age: 2710±70 BP 2 Sigma calibrated result: Cal BC 1000 to 790 (Cal BP 2950 to 2740) (95% probability) In tercep t data Intercept of radiocarbon age with calibration curve: Cal BC 830 (Cal BP 2780) 1 Sigma calibrated result: Cal BC 920 to 810 (Cal BP 2870 to 2760) (68% probability)

2710± 70 BP Charred material 2950

2900

2850

2800

2750

2700

2650 Radiocarbon age (BP) age Radiocarbon

2600

2550

2500

2450 1020 1 000 980 960 940 920 9 00 880 860 840 820 80 0 780 760 C al B C References: Database used INTC AL 98 Calibration Database Editorial Comm ent Stuiver, M., van der Plicht, H., 1998, Radiocarbon 40(3), pxii-xiii INTCAL98 Radiocarbon Age C alibration Stuiver, M., et. al., 1998, Radiocarbon 40(3), p1041-1083 Mathematics A Sim plified Approach to Calibrating C14 Dates Talma, A. S., Vogel, J. C., 1993, Radiocarbon 35(2), p317-322 Beta Analytic Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory 4985 S.W. 74th Court, Miami, Florida 33155 • Tel: (305)667-5167 • F ax: (305)663-0964 • E-Mail: [email protected]

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Appendix 4: Plant Remains

Plant remains report for Gurrandarragh, 04E0647 and 04E0647 ext

By: Abigail Brewer and Penny Johnston

Introduction Three samples from a fulacht fiadh excavated at Gurrandarragh 04E0647 were scanned for macro- plant remains, including two fills of the trough and the main mound material. An additional two samples from the extended excavation (04E0647 ext.) were also scanned; these were taken from the trough fill and from one of the layers of the mound. No plant remains other than charcoal were found in any of the samples.

Methodology The soil samples from the sites were processed using manual wash over and sieves with meshes of 1mm, 500µm and 250µm. The samples that contained charred material were then scanned using a binocular microscope at x10 to x40 magnification.

Results The five samples examined from Gurrandarragh, 04E0647 and 04E0647 ext contained only charcoal, no other macro-plant remains were found. The charcoal from two of the samples was identified; it included possible oak, possible hazel/alder and possible willow/poplar. These tree-types are often recovered at fulachta fiadh sites: much of Ireland was probably still covered by primary oak forest in the Bronze Age and damp-loving species such as alder and willow were common in low-lying damp areas where fulachta fiadh are generally situated.

Context Licence no. Context description Plant remains C.5 04E0647 Fill of trough cut C.7 Charcoal: possible hazel/alder, willow/poplar C.6 04E0647 Fill of trough cut C.7 Charcoal: possible oak, hazel/alder, willow/poplar C.3 04E0647 Burnt mound Charcoal C.12 04E0647 ext. Layer within burnt mound Charcoal C.23 04E0647 ext. Fill of trough cut C.24 Charcoal Table of general results from Gurrandarragh (04E0647 and 04E0647 ext) samples

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Context: 6 5 Sample: 4 5 Weight: 5g 7 Fragments: 20 14 cf Oak 5 Ring Porous 3 cf Hazel/Alder 2 1 cf Willow/Poplar 1 1 Diffuse Porous 2 4 Unident. 7

Sample weight for C14: <1g 2g Table of results from charcoal identification at Gurrandarragh, 04E0647 and 04E0647 ext

Discussion The sample from the burnt mound did not contain any plant remains other than charcoal. Similarly, the plant remains samples from a fulacht fiadh excavated nearby (Gurrandarragh 04E0646) contained only charcoal and at other sites such as Ballydowny, Co. Kerry (02E0055) there were no charred seeds from any of the fivefulachta fiadh excavated. This is usual for these sites; several other fulacht fiadh excavated by Eachtra Archaeological Projects have produced little or no macro-plant remains. Examples include the fulachta fiadh excavated in advance of works on the Mitchelstown by-pass (04E1119) and along the Kilmacthomas by-pass in Co. Waterford (e.g. 98E0575, 00E0196, 00E0199, 00E0198 and 00E0293).

This absence of plant remains evidence is due to the nature of activity at the sites in the past. These sites are frequently interpreted as cooking sites, in particular used for the cooking of meat; the dearth of cereal grains and other seeds at the many sites that have been examined indicates that any cooking carried out at fulachta fiadh did not include cereal foods. Most of the plant materials found at fulachta fiadh are from fuel used in fires at the sites and therefore vast quantities of charcoal are generally recovered.

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