County: Kildare Site name: CORBALLY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KD023-113---- Licence number: 03E1752
Author: Frank Coyne, Aegis Archaeology Ltd, 16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick.
Site type: Moated site
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 684765m, N 712271m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.154189, -6.732661
This site is located in the townland of Corbally, on the edge of the Brownstown sand and gravel pit, approximately 2km to the north-east of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. The surrounding land is gently undulating and slopes to lower ground to the north-west. The Brownstown pit is currently being excavated to the south-east of the archaeological site, with the result that it now stands on a cliff edge. The site allows unobstructed views to all sides, with Silliot Hill c. 500m to the south-east and Dún Ailinne c. 4km to the south-west.
The site was originally identified during limited test excavation and fluxgate gradiometer survey of the area (licence number 02R0134), which identified its full extent, as well as other associated features to the north and north-west. This showed the site to be subrectangular in shape. The southernmost portion was excavated – the east–west field boundary, which neatly bisects the site, forming the northern limit of excavation. The area excavated measured 50m east–west by 25m, to facilitate an extension to the quarry. An area extending approximately 20m from the south-western perimeter of the site was stripped of topsoil, as well as a 5m area to the south-east, but no additional archaeological features were noted.
The results of the excavation carried out from October to December 2003 showed that this appears to be a medieval moated site, which had a later period of use as a burial ground. The site was enclosed by a substantial ditch, up to 2m in depth and averaging 5m wide. The site was accessed by a causeway in the south-western corner of the site, the sides of which were revetted with stone. A shallow internal ditch encircling the central portion of the site was also excavated and contained a large amount of animal bone and a complete horse skull. A possible circular structure, represented by a shallow slot trench, was identified at the centre of the site but extended beyond the edge of excavation, so its true nature could not be established.
Inhumations were recorded in the site’s interior, clustered towards the centre (and higher) portion of the site, and, while they do not appear to be contemporary with the occupation of the site, they may have been inserted shortly afterward. At least 22 individuals were recorded in 20 grave-cuts, as well as in an ossuary pit, which also contained a horseshoe of medieval type. The skeletal remains were in various states of preservation, because of the shallow depth of the topsoil, coupled with intensive ploughing and cultivation, which has led to truncation of some of the skeletons.
Several artefacts, including iron knives, a copper alloy stick pin, a finger ring and also bone pins/needles, were also recovered. A substantial quantity of animal bones, including horse and cattle, were also recovered.
The excavated evidence so far suggests that this may be a medieval moated site. Morphological grounds alone would seem to suggest this; the finds recovered have a distinctly medieval character. Undoubtedly a wealth of information is yet to be discovered in the northern portion of the site.
