2002:0928 - KILLICKAWEENY (Site 18), Kildare

An excavation was carried out at Site 18, Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare, before the proposed M4 Kinnegad–Enfield–Kilcock road development. Site 18 was identified during the site-specific testing of Site AE25. Testing was carried out by Shane Delaney (see No. 931, Excavations 2002, 02E0137). Site 18 was revealed as archaeological deposits spread over an area of c. 10m by 6m in the south-eastern corner of Site AE25.

Testing revealed a linear feature, and two sherds of medieval pottery were recovered nearby from the interface of the topsoil and natural. An area to the east was opened, which revealed numerous sherds of medieval pottery in four separate areas. A layer of redeposited natural was uncovered in this area. Two cuts containing burnt clay, one in the south-east area and another 1m to the east, truncated the redeposited natural.

It was recommended that the area be fully excavated before construction works. The excavation took place from 19 August to 2 September 2002. Topsoil was removed from an area measuring 20m by 20m using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless bucket.

A shallow linear feature extended roughly north–south across the western half of the site. This was interpreted as part of an earlier field boundary/hedgerow and not of archaeological significance. No other features of archaeological interest were found in the western half of the site.

The area of main archaeological potential was identified between the centre and the north-east corner of the site. Initially it was very difficult to identify features, although a slightly darker soil and sherds of medieval pottery indicated that material of archaeological potential was present. The darker soil represented an area of redeposited soil/subsoil, and it was only when this was removed that other features became evident. These consisted primarily of two north–south-aligned linear features, an irregularly shaped large pit and an area of burning.

The larger of the two linear features extended across the middle of the site. It was 1.2–1.5m wide and a maximum of 0.3m deep; it was filled with redeposited subsoil and extended across the full width of the site, presumably continuing to the north and south of the excavation area. Occasional sherds of glazed medieval pottery were retrieved during excavation of this feature. It is possible that it represents an old field boundary, and its size and shape suggest that it is not part of a structure.

The second linear feature was in the north-east corner of the site. It was 0.8m wide and a maximum of 0.5m deep and was filled with a compact clay that contained both medieval and post-medieval pottery. The feature was 10m long and extended beyond the northern limit of excavation. Its function is unclear.

The area of burning had been half-sectioned during testing, and little extra information was gained through the excavation of the remainder of the feature. Its relationship with the other features, if any, is unclear.

The irregularly shaped pit had a maximum width of 3.5m and a depth of 0.4m. It was filled with redeposited clay/subsoil. A large number of sherds of medieval pottery, consisting of unglazed coarse cooking ware, were found near the base of the pit.

The differences in the typology of the pottery found in the features suggests that they may not be associated with one another. The redeposited material is possibly dump material from the excavation of the pit and/or the linear features. However, it is possible that this material and the general activity is directly associated with the possible industrial activity identified at Site 23 (see No. 930, Excavations 2002, 02E1535), c. 50m to the north-east.

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