DRUMREE 1
| Site Name/ Townland | Description | Basic Interpretation | Provisional dating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drumree 1 | Burnt spread | Burnt mound | Bronze Age |
Archaeological excavation at Drumree 1 was undertaken by ACS Ltd from January to February 2006. Features revealed include a possible truncated burnt mound, a series of pits, postholes, two figure of 8-shaped kilns and two bowl furnaces. Post-excavation analysis is complete.
Preliminary Results of Excavation
The site consisted of a series of archaeological features covering an area of 30m N-S by 45m E-W in a low-lying terrain at the base of a gently sloping hill, adjacent to a stream. Initially identified as the remains of a fulacht fiadh, the nature of the site proved to be more complex and difficult to determine. This was partly the result of heavy agricultural activity, evident by closely set plough furrows which cut quite deep into the subsoil and archaeological features. Most of the features were therefore quite shallow and heavily disturbed.
The archaeological features which shared the most resemblance with a fulacht fiadh were found at the centre of the site. These comprised a circular trough with an adjacent spread of burnt mound material. Directly associated with the trough was a small cremation pit. Approximately 5m to the west of the trough a shallow slightly curved deposit of charcoal rich material was exposed. Although containing only small amounts of burnt stone it may represent a heavily ploughed-out burnt mound. An irregular shaped deposit containing moderate charcoal flecking and occasional burnt bone was found immediately to the north-west of this deposit. Although no stratigraphical relationship could be established it is probably contemporary.
A series of archaeological features at the higher lying northwestern part of the site appear to be related to each other. They consisted of two figure of 8 shaped kilns, two bowl furnaces and a number of postholes. No finds were recovered from any of these features and their stratigraphical relationship to the other archaeological features to the southeast is unknown.
In the southeastern part of the site close to the stream, archaeological activity was represented by a large number of post and stake holes and two shallow pits. Although the post and stake holes were clearly structural no clear reconstruction is possible. It seems likely however that they formed a wind-break to the south-west of the two pits. Two further medium sized pits were found to the south of this pit on the slope towards the stream. No finds were recovered from any of these features.
Truncating parts of the archaeological features at the centre of the site were two curvilinear gullies. Both were roughly NE-SW oriented and the southern gully contained some animal long bone.
Return to Section 1.
Final Report
Please click on the link to access the final archaeological report for Drumree 1
| Final Report of Drumree 1 | 1.59MB |
