2000:0965 - SOLSBOROUGH (Site C1), Tipperary

An extensive site, which covered an area of 115m by 25m, was exposed during monitoring of topsoil-stripping. Various features were exposed throughout the site. Most were Early Christian in date, although there was evidence of modern interference (modern pits, a test-trench and three ditch features). No obvious structures or enclosures were identified.

Pits were by far the most dominant feature. A total of 55 pits were found scattered throughout the entire extent of the site, the smallest of which measured 0.21m by 0.28m and had a depth of 0.11m and the largest of which measured 2.2m by 2.45m and had a depth of 0.35m. Most were flecked with charcoal.

Five post-holes and a further five possible post-holes were also found on this site. Most of these were not found in close proximity to each other and were therefore not structurally related.

Eleven linear features were found throughout the entire site, five of which may have formed some sort of ritual enclosure (a charcoal sample taken from one of these linear features returned a date of AD 261–428). The function of the other six remains unclear, as they do not occur in close proximity to each other and are therefore not structurally related. They may have simply functioned as small ditches or drains.

The most impressive features exposed on this site were five corn-drying kilns, three of which lay within the north-easterly extent of the site. Keyhole in shape, these kilns yielded a high density of charcoal and oxidised clay. Timber was retrieved from the base of one kiln (a charcoal sample was taken and returned a date of AD 563–659). Other features exposed included three ditches, three hearths and one spread.

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