2002:0930 - KILLICKAWEENY (Site 23), Kildare

An excavation was carried out on an area measuring 15–20m square at Site 23, Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare, from 7 to 22 October 2002, before a proposed road development. Geophysical testing in February 2002 highlighted three areas of archaeological potential at the eastern end of Site AE25. Only preliminary results of this survey were available when linear testing of Site AE25 began on 21 February 2002. As a result, these three areas were not targeted during the initial testing programme. Detailed results of the geophysical survey were made available after the test-trenching programme was completed. Magnetic disturbance revealed three areas of archaeological potential in the eastern area of Site AE25 in the vicinity of Site 18. Within these areas were several positive linear magnetic anomalies, interpreted as possible ditches, and several strong non-linear anomalies that could indicate pits or hearths.

Subsequent testing of these anomalies was carried out by David Bayley (see No. 934, Excavations 2002, 02E0999). Testing of the geophysical anomalies began on 29 July and was completed on 1 August 2002. This was carried out using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat, toothless, 1.9m-wide bucket to open the trenches.

A large spread of redeposited soil that contained several sherds of probable medieval pottery suggests the possible presence of a medieval occupation site. A large pit with charcoal-rich fills may signify industrial activity in the area also. The relationship between the two was not conclusively determined, and it was thought possible that the two features were broadly contemporaneous. It was recommended that the area be resolved through full excavation.

The present excavation uncovered medieval occupation and/or industrial activity at the site. This included a square pit (furnace) with an opening to the north leading to a partly underground shaft. Heavy burning was indicated in the pit and shaft, suggesting use as a firing or roasting pit, with the shaft acting as a wide air intake or stoke-hole. A long linear ditch north of this feature would have been related to it. A dense charcoal deposit found along the base of the linear ditch, square pit and shaft indicated numerous burning episodes. Several large pits were also found, one of which truncated other features, suggesting continued use of the site after the main industrial installation fell into disuse. Activity in the west of the site involving several post-holes and in situ burning may suggest the presence of a structure here. Linear features from this area may have carried water into the large pits in the main area of activity. A further structure is suggested in the south of the site by a linear feature with post-holes on either side.

It is unclear precisely which industrial activities were carried out at the site. The high temperatures generated in the (furnace) installation are consistent with metalworking, but the lack of slag or melted ore suggests that the square pit was not a smelting furnace. One possibility is that the site was used for the preparation of metallic ore.

Site 23 may have functioned as an ore-roasting and preparation facility in the medieval period. The square pit and shaft may have been the main roasting areas, and the ore may have been washed in the large rounded pits nearby. The structure to the west of the site, with its stone surface, may have been a locus for activity such as crushing and cleaning the ore. No evidence of residential activity or iron smelting was recovered from the site, so it is likely that the prepared ore would have been transported to residential sites for smelting, possibly at Site AE23, c. 700m to the west, excavated by Fintan Walsh (No. 924, Excavations 2002, 02E1002).

8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin