Fulacht fia in Adamswood

This fulacht fia was excavation by Emer Dennehy (02E0669) 'during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping along the route of a Bord Gáis Éireann pipeline from Goatisland, Co. Limerick, to Gort, Co. Galway. The site consisted of a low-level mound measuring 15.2m north-south by 12.5m, overlying a trough and associated features. One main phase of activity was identified, with the recutting and reuse of features occurring throughout this phase. The main cut features were a large trough and two small pot-boilers. A number of pits/slot-trenches with multiple stakes were identified. The trough was subcircular, measuring 2.5m north-west/south-east by 1.6m, and was 0.52m deep. It was recut, leaving a small amount of the original fill in the southern quadrant. A large, dressed, triangular stone was embedded in/pushed into the remaining fill, forming the southern edge of the recut, measuring 2.5m north-west/south-east by 1.3m with a depth of 0.47m. A broad, shallow depression, measuring 1.35m north-south by 1.55m and 0.11m deep, and a shallow curvilinear depression, measuring 0.86m north-south by 0.5m by 0.14m deep, were situated to the west of the trough. Owing to their shallow nature and the lack of finds associated with these features, they can be assumed to be natural in origin. A steep-sided shallow pit containing five stake-holes was situated south-west of the trough. Two of these stake-holes were angled, indicating that they had a supporting function. A shallow cut south-west of the trough contained seven stake-holes, with three in the middle and four around the edges. Three of the stake-holes were angled, indicating a supporting function. A small circular cut south-west of the trough measured 0.2m north-south by 0.25m, with a depth of 0.14m. It consisted of a double post-hole, with a small ridge between both holes. A circular cut south-east of the trough measured 0.47m in diameter, with a depth of 0.3m. This post-hole contained two distinct fills. The lower fill comprised 50% limestone in a grey, silty clay matrix, and the upper fill consisted of 10% limestone in a black/dark brown clay, with some charcoal. A subrectangular pot-boiler, measuring 0.6m north-south by 1.45m with a maximum depth of 0.1m, and a small, irregular pot-boiler, measuring 1.05m north-south by 1.68m with a depth of 0.21m, were situated south-east of the trough. The cut of a linear boundary ditch running north-east/south-west and a shallow pit were situated in the north-eastern quadrant of the site. This area is very disturbed and, as both the ditch and pit appeared to be modern and ran outside the area of excavation, was not fully excavated. The presence of limestone in the trough and pot-boilers indicates that these features were not suitable for the production of food and would therefore have served an industrial purpose such as textile production. This interpretation is prompted by the use of lime in the bleaching of textiles. We can therefore conclude that the fulacht may have been used in the processing of textiles such as wool/flax or animal skins. This is further supported by two groups of stake-holes in close association with other features, which may have been used to stretch hide, dry wool or possibly cure fish. The shallow nature of the mound may indicate that the area was in use for a relatively short period of time, or it may be due to the truncation of the area. This assessment is compounded by the presence of a stream, which was not present on the 1842 OS map, indicating that the land was wet and that deliberate drainage and reclamation took place. There is no evidence of a hearth site.' This description is posted on the web at the following internet address (accessed 3 August 2012): http://www.excavations.ie/ Compiled by: Denis Power Date of Upload: 7 August 2012