2002:0926 - KILLICKAWEENY (Site 3), Kildare

An excavation was carried out at Site 3, Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare, before the proposed M4 Kinnegad–Enfield–Kilcock road development. Linear testing for Contract 3 was carried out by Dermot Nelis (No. 908, Excavations 2002, 02E0141). Site 3 was revealed on 20 February 2002. Detailed inspection began on 21 March and continued for two days. Testing revealed a small spread of charcoal, resulting in an area of c. 10m by 10m being topsoil-stripped to assess the extent of archaeological remains in this area.

The excavation took place from 24 July to 6 August. Topsoil was stripped from an area measuring 25m by 25m using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless bucket.

A large field boundary (ditch) extends north-west/south-east across the southern half of the site. Nothing of archaeological interest was identified to the south of this feature, and a number of linear drainage channels were evident at the north of the site.

A spread of blackened soil with charcoal in the centre of the site, identified during testing, appeared from excavation to be associated with a small fulacht fiadh. A subcircular pit, c. 1.3m in diameter and 1.15m deep, represented the probable trough, and a number of stake-holes/stone sockets were identified around the edge of the feature, beneath the spread. A second, smaller, shallower pit immediately to the east was thought to have been the fire-pit/hearth, as it was too shallow to have held water, but there was no indication of in situ burning. The pits were filled with burnt stone and blackened soil (mound material).

To the north-west of the main spread there was a smaller spread of clay and charcoal. Its significance was not clear, but a flint scraper was found in the area as the site was being cleaned back. No further archaeological material was identified here.

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