2002:0900 - CORBALLY, Kildare

Topsoil-stripping exposed a section of a large enclosure that appeared to straddle the north-west boundary of the field. The presence of such an enclosure was suggested in 2001 as part of a risk assessment for this site. The density of agri-industrial ephemera appeared to suggest that there was a definite focus to this activity, and it seemed likely that some form of settlement had existed on or adjacent to the crest of the ridge. The first manifestation of this enclosure was the fosse, which was exposed by machine during the topsoil-stripping and was over 5m wide. A burial was also partially exposed, and topsoil-stripping was halted at that time. A buffer zone was established 30–35m from the north-west field boundary.

Under this licence, some testing was to be carried out on the fosse, the exposed burial recorded and lifted, and any surface scatters of bone collected. The features within the enclosure were to be planned, and, if possible, a geophysical survey was to be carried out over the immediate location of this enclosure to define its full extent. This non-intrusive approach was adopted to inform both Kilsaran Concrete Products Ltd and Dúchas about the archaeological potential of this site and to enable both parties to make a considered judgement on how best to proceed. At the end of excavations in November 2002 this area was covered with heavy-gauge plastic and completely backfilled. Any small-scale excavation within the fosse was first backfilled with sand before being covered.

Topographical survey was carried out but revealed very little surface evidence of the enclosure. A gradiometric survey was undertaken (licence 02R134) in September 2002. This survey was successful in defining the extent of the curvilinear ditch, which extended beyond the field boundary into the adjacent field. This formed a large subrectangular enclosure measuring c. 45m north-east/south-west by c. 50m. The geophysical survey also determined the spread of the archaeological features in the next field. It suggested the presence of a far more elaborate archaeological landscape than previously suspected.

Further excavation on this site is potentially of high risk. The features recorded are all cut into natural, which appears to preclude the likelihood of complex stratigraphy. Yet the area exposed is on the ridge crest, where the topsoil is at its shallowest and has already been scoured by years of weathering and repeated plough action. There are pockets of deeper soil cover just below the ridge crest. The gradiometric survey shows clear evidence of subsidiary enclosures within the main fosse. These may resolve into quite complex structures. The number of burials currently stands at eight and will rise above that figure. The scale of industrial activity on this site in respect of crop husbandry suggests that the enclosure is a high-status structure. Artefacts indicate a range of dates from the 9th century (a bronze clasp) to the medieval period (a pottery sherd). It has been suggested that the burials in this enclosure post-date the 7th century.

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