1997:263 - BROWNSTOWN, CORBALLY AND SILLIOT HILL, Kildare

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was carried out at this site over a period of four months from November 1997 to February 1998 during the development of a quarry for Kilsaran Concrete. A considerable area of ground was stripped in advance of the development. During the course of the stripping of the access road to the quarry area several modern features were revealed. These included a small area of post-medieval activity, a deposit of ash and charcoal (probably the remains of tree-root burning) and two small field clearance cairns.

The stripping of the quarry area straddled December 1997 and January 1998. During the course of this a series of features of archaeological interest were revealed, with only those found in late 1997 investigated to date. In December eight charcoal-flecked pits were located and excavated. Seven of these formed a subcircular plan, approximately 8m in diameter, with the eighth pit lying approximately 8m to the north. One piece of worked flint and three sherds of pottery, of which only one survived intact, were found. The three sherds were similar in character and a Bronze Age date is suggested.

In January 1998 soil-stripping recommenced and several additional features of interest were revealed, including several pits containing large amounts of charcoal and a spread of burnt material. One of the pits contained several sherds of prehistoric pottery, one of which was decorated with cord-impressed lines. Fragments of burnt bone were also found in this pit. Two small natural hollows filled with a charcoal-rich deposit were found. A spread of charcoal and burnt stone approximately 6m by 4.5m by 0.28m deep was excavated; no finds were recovered from this feature. A small possible posthole was found and excavated. Two areas of tree-root burning were found. Several other features were identified and will be investigated in late February and March 1998.

Rath House, Ferndale Road, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin