Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

This site was examined as part of Bord Gáis Éireann's Pipeline to the West by Marie Dowling and Kate Taylor (02E0656). They found 'an area of 189m2, within which a number of features were identified. These included eleven pits of varying sizes, two post-holes, five stake-holes, three spreads and an irregular feature. Given the similarity of the deposits found in the features, it would not be unreasonable to conclude that they all represent a single phase of activity. Five large pits were clustered in the centre of the site. These features were subcircular or subrectangular, 1.1-2.46m wide and 0.24-0.39m deep. The fills of these pits were generally black, dark brown or grey and contained both angular and subangular stones and moderate amounts of charcoal. The deposits were typical of material from fulachta fiadh, with the notable absence of large quantities of heat-shattered stones. A feature, roughly curvilinear, was situated between these pits and was truncated by three of them. Another large subrectangular pit, measuring 2.1m by 1.4m by 0.2m deep, lay slightly to the west of the cluster. The fill was similar to that excavated from the pits described above. Several features were excavated at the base of this pit. A small pit that was situated in one corner contained a stake-hole at its base, and two further stake-holes were identified. Their function is unclear; they may have been used to support a wicker lining for the pit or perhaps a windbreak. Two stake-holes, one of which contained packing stones, were situated close to the cluster of pits. Although it is possible that these stake-holes are evidence of a temporary structure such as a windbreak, this interpretation is tentative. Four small, subcircular or oval pits were excavated close to the central area of the site. All fills contained angular and subangular stones and a quantity of charcoal. The two possible post-holes were situated at some distance from the main focus of the site and cannot be related to any structure. Three spreads of burnt material, including a quantity of heat-shattered stone, were also identified. As the only artefact recovered was an intrusive sherd of modern ceramic, definite dating awaits the results of radiocarbon determinations. It is thought, however, that the remains are evidence of prehistoric activity similar to that carried out at fulachta fiadh.'
The above description is posted on the web at the following internet address: http://www.excavations.ie/ (accessed 22 August 2012).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 22 August 2012