Midden in Dooaghs

On a low cliff-face, 33.5m SW of KE055-006----, a thick layer of sand is sealed by a black, sticky sod layer. Resting on the latter is a midden, exposed for a length of 13.5m. It achieves a maximum thickness of .2m and occurs below 1.4m to 1.8m of sand. The midden material is predominantly composed of mussel shells, though periwinkles and a small quantity of stone occur throughout. A thin layer of sand near the centre of the midden separates this deposit from a less substantial layer of shells above, which appears to be composed exclusively of cockles. It has a maximum thickness of .2m and is exposed for c. 3m. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 8. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 July 2013