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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Kerry<br />

Clogher, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure & Burials<br />

Grid Ref: Q89502940 (08950/12940)<br />

SMR No: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence: 04E0356<br />

Excavation Duration/year: March & April 2004<br />

Site Director: F. Coyne (Aegis Archaeology Ltd.)<br />

A previously unrecorded enclosure at Clogher was identified during initial monitoring and<br />

testing in advance <strong>of</strong> a residential development. <strong>The</strong> site was situated on a low hill<br />

surrounded by marsh on its northern and western sides, and revealed evidence for an<br />

enclosure with associated burials, a possible metalworking pit, key-hole shaped kiln and a<br />

complex <strong>of</strong> pits and posts-holes.<br />

<strong>The</strong> excavated portion comprised just over half <strong>of</strong> the eastern side <strong>of</strong> the enclosure<br />

measuring 40m by 50m, and the original diameter <strong>of</strong> the enclosure was estimated at about<br />

70m. Few definite archaeological features could be identified in the enclosure interior as the<br />

site had been heavily trunctuated by intensive agricultural activity in recent centuries (Fig.<br />

170).<br />

<strong>The</strong> earliest feature on site consisted <strong>of</strong> a small circular ditch (1.4m wide and 0.65m deep)<br />

which enclosed an area 21m by 10m. <strong>The</strong> site was subsequently remodelled and an outer<br />

ditch (3-4m wide and 1m deep) was constructed. This enclosed a large oval-shaped area<br />

(52.5m by 52m), although the full extent <strong>of</strong> this enclosure was not established. It was<br />

assumed that the entrance lay outside <strong>of</strong> the excavated area to the west, as no entrance was<br />

visible on the site. <strong>The</strong> ditch <strong>of</strong> this oval-shaped enclosure contained a sequence <strong>of</strong> fills along<br />

its entire length.<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> pits, postholes and other isolated features were scattered across the site. <strong>The</strong><br />

majority contained sterile deposits <strong>of</strong> unknown function and no structures could be identified<br />

from the postholes. Several curving features were excavated in the interior <strong>of</strong> the enclosure<br />

and may date to the original occupation <strong>of</strong> the site.<br />

A small ironworking furnace was uncovered to the northeast <strong>of</strong> the enclosure and had been<br />

trunctuated by a modern drain. A key-hole shaped kiln was also excavated to the northeast <strong>of</strong><br />

the enclosure.<br />

<strong>The</strong> skeletal remains <strong>of</strong> at least 21 individuals with an additional ten possible grave-cuts were<br />

concentrated in the south-western quadrant <strong>of</strong> the enclosure interior. All the grave-cuts were<br />

aligned east-west, apart from one north-south example. <strong>The</strong> human remains were poorly<br />

preserved due to the acidic conditions <strong>of</strong> the soil although men, women and children were all<br />

represented.<br />

A large number <strong>of</strong> cultivation furrows, drains and linear trenches criss-crossed the site and<br />

appear to have been associated with later agricultural activity, particularly relating to the use<br />

<strong>of</strong> the site as a domestic garden in recent centuries.<br />

349

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