County: Kildare Site name: KILLICKAWEENY (Site 2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E0986
Author: Tim Coughlan, IAC Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 683837m, N 740289m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.406074, -6.739130
An excavation was carried out at Site 2, Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare, before the proposed M4 road development. Linear testing was undertaken by Dermot Nelis (No. 908, Excavations 2002, 02E0141), and Site 2 was revealed on 21 February 2002. The assessment revealed a non-continuous, U-shaped, possible ditch feature cutting the natural subsoil. It was recommended that this site be fully excavated before construction works.
The excavation took place from 8 to 19 July 2002. An area of 20m by 20m was opened around the potential archaeology. The topsoil was removed by flat-bucketed machine, and the area was then excavated by hand until archaeological deposits were reached. The area of previously recognised archaeological potential was identified during excavation as consisting of a single east–west linear feature (possibly a plough furrow) and variations in the natural geology.
In the south of the site a number of small pits/post-holes and a more substantial east–west-aligned gully were identified. These contained occasional fragments of burnt bone and charcoal flecks. The features did not have any definite shape or form and represented small-scale activity that may or may not have been related. Although these features were archaeological in nature, their significance did not warrant extending the area of excavation. The site is very close to a field boundary, and it is possible that the features are relatively modern and associated with this. A number of field drains were also recorded extending through areas of the site.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
