Metalworking site in Tullerboy

On a gently sloping plain commanding extensive views of the surrounding landscape in pasture, 670m NW of Castle Ievers (LI031-088----) and 90m S of the townland boundary with Rosstemple. One of a large group of prehistoric archaeological sites (LI031-217/218/219/220----) excavated on the Bord Gáis Éireann's Pipeline to the West in 2002 (Grogan et. al. 2007). A ringfort (LI031-086----) is located 280m to SW. No trace of the excavated monument was present on historic OSi maps or aerial photographs prior to the discovery of the site during pipeline construction. The excavation area (12.6m N-S; 20m E-W) was on the NE side of the pipeline corridor and archaeological material extended N outside the limits of the Bord Gáis wayleave (Dennehy 2004). The site uncovered two distinct archaeological structures; a ring-ditch (LI031-216001-), and a metalworking area (LI031-216002-). Evidence for metal smelting/ironworking was recorded at the site. Pits associated with this phase truncated the terminal of the ring-ditch and were positioned centrally within the NW causeway. Large quantities of iron slag, in addition to charcoal and bone, were retrieved from these features. It is assumed that the original function of the ring-ditch (LI031-216002-) was domestic, with the fills of the various features indicating that gradual and natural infilling and decay of the features took place. The truncation of the ring-ditch by the metalworking activity indicates that the separate phases of activity are distinct. Compiled by: Edmond O’Donovan Date of upload: 28 October 2020