Excavation

'Monitoring of topsoil clearance associated with the second phase of development works at the site led to the identification of three areas of archaeological potential. Area 1 was in the vicinity of House Sites 14-16; it measured 30m east-west by 9m. Three features were identified: two pits (C.24 and C.9) and a linear ditch. The last appears to be a drainage ditch associated with the original estate gardens. The pit C.24 consists of two conjoined pits measuring 2.2m by 1m with a maximum depth of 0.3m. The pit was heavily truncated in the east by the excavation of a pipe-trench. The base of the pit was heat-altered, indicative of in situ burning. The other pit, C.9, was sub-oval in plan; three stakes were inserted into the base. Area II was in the vicinity of House Site 12; a single pit 1.4m by 1.45m was identified. The pit was relatively shallow, with a maximum depth of 0.26in. A flint scraper was retrieved from the fill. Area III was in the vicinity of House Site 43; a single elongated pit measuring 0.66m by 2.02m was identified. The fill of the pit consisted of heat-altered clay with inclusions of burnt bone and charcoal. The pit was not burnt in situ.' Description from ‘The Prehistoric Settlement of the Lee Valley, Tralee, Co. Kerry; A Landscape Perspective’ by Michael Connolly. PhD Thesis UCC 2008 Date of upload: 06 July 2012