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EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

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Tipperary<br />

Killoran 66, Co. Tipperary<br />

Unenclosed Settlement<br />

Grid Ref: S22256659 (222254/166590)<br />

SMR No: N/A<br />

Excavation Licence: 94E0106 & 97E0158<br />

Excavation Duration/year: 1998<br />

Site Director: J. Ó Néill (Margaret Gowen Ltd.)<br />

A possible eighth/ninth century unenclosed hut site was uncovered at Killoran 66. <strong>The</strong><br />

excavation was undertaken as part of a planning requirement for the development of Lisheen<br />

mine near Moyne, Thurles close to the border between Tipperary and Kilkenny. <strong>The</strong> study<br />

area comprised three townlands Derryfadda, Killoran and Cooleeny in Derryville Bog which is<br />

part of the southern extent of the Littleton raised bog complex.<br />

Killoran 66 (126.63m OD) was first recorded in 1994 by the IAWU when all but the western<br />

side had been destroyed by peat milling. <strong>The</strong> western side was examined in 1995 when<br />

samples were taken for identification and recording. <strong>The</strong> hut was almost entirely removed in<br />

1997 and its last traces- the tips of three worked ends on the milled field surface- were<br />

recorded in that year (Fig. 269).<br />

<strong>The</strong> hut site had been heavily disturbed by peat milling and was identified as a subrectangular<br />

setting of substantial uprights- including roundwood, brushwood and half-split<br />

posts- measuring 5.6m by 4m. An internal setting of three stakes bisected the hut. <strong>The</strong> half<br />

split-posts (0.24m-0.32m in diameter and 0.10m-0.18m in width) were set at angles of 40-<br />

50º to the vertical, probably as a consequence of heavy machinery across the site. <strong>The</strong><br />

smaller posts (0.06-0.20m) were uncovered at a variety of angles. <strong>The</strong> posts all had worked<br />

ends and were set into the bog at intervals of between 0.2- 0.5m at either end of the<br />

structure. Wood identified on the site included ash, rowan and willow. <strong>The</strong> associated flooring<br />

level was completely removed.<br />

A sample from the site produced a 2Σ radiocarbon date of A.D. 774-887 for the possible hut.<br />

An Iron Age trackway was uncovered some 25m to the west of the site at a level<br />

contemporary with the initial surviving remains of the site, indicating that a substantial<br />

portion of the site had already been removed by 1994. A nearby Bronze Age marginal forest<br />

was also recorded at a height of 126.10m- a mere 0.4m below the end of uprights from this<br />

eighth/ninth century A.D. site- confirming the considerable loss of peat at the site.<br />

Further excavated evidence for early medieval activity in Killoran townland included<br />

burnt/roasting pits and land reclamation activity from various sites as well as ironworking<br />

evidence and wattle slot-trenches at a nearby monastery.<br />

578

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