County: Kildare Site name: NAAS: South Main Street
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 98E0030
Author: Clare Mullins
Site type: Well
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 688990m, N 719342m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.217036, -6.667532
Archaeological monitoring of groundworks associated with an extension to the rear of premises on South Main Street, Naas, was carried out from 19 to 22 January 1998. The work was undertaken in compliance with a condition of the grant of planning. The groundworks associated with the development required a reduction of the existing ground levels within the area of the extension, partial demolition of the northern boundary wall and the excavation of foundation trenches.
Two distinct features of archaeological interest were noted during the course of the work. One was a layer of black, organic silt that was uncovered along the northernmost edge of the development and ran into the adjacent property to the north. This layer was 0.56m wide and 0.1–0.12m thick; it lay directly upon the sterile subsoil. This layer had been truncated by the foundation trench associated with the original northern boundary wall, which was partially demolished as part of the development. No trace of this layer was uncovered in any of the other foundation trenches, as many disturbances, associated with previous developments, had taken place down to, and into, the natural.
The other feature was a well situated in the central area of the extension. The structural integrity of the well was not endangered by the development, and it was covered over with slabs.
No finds of archaeological interest were recovered during the course of the work. Apart from the features described above, only one mixed layer was encountered above the natural. This consisted of a moderate, mid-brown, silty clay with many stones. This material also contained a quantity of modern material including glass bottles, brick, ceramic pipe fragments etc.
39 Kerdiff Park, Monread, Naas, Co. Kildare
