2003:1758 - HUGHES' LOT EAST AND KILSCOBIN (Site 25(iii)), Tipperary

This site on the N8 Cashel Bypass and N74 Link Road scheme was tested in 2003 by Neil Fairburn (No. 1719, Excavations 2003, 03E0295), revealing a number of ditches/pits between Chainages 5200 and 5360. Phase 3 resolution identified a large trapezoidal enclosure (c. 42m long east-west, 30m wide north-south at its widest extent, and 18m wide at its narrowest extent). The enclosure ditch was, on average, 1m wide, up to 0.6m deep and was V-shaped in profile; its northern side extended beyond the western limits of the CPO. The eastern side was probably destroyed by a modern field boundary. The southern side appeared to terminate at the south-eastern corner and a possible entrance was noted at the south-western side of the enclosure. The lower fill of the enclosure ditch contained substantial quantities of possible Bronze Age pottery, similar to the pottery from Site 13 (No. 1788, Excavations 2003, 03E0378). No evidence for a bank was discovered.

Internal features consisted of two distinct curved slots (both c. 4m long and up to 0.55m in diameter) in a semicircular arrangement. These features may represent part of a circular structure, the remainder of which appears to be demarcated by three substantial pits. The overall diameter of this structure is c. 8m. No internal structural features were identified and, other than charcoal recovered from one of the slots, no dating evidence was recovered. A group of eight apparently randomly scattered pits were investigated c. 3m west of the structure; no dating evidence or finds were recovered.

A second possible internal structure (diameter c. 3.5m), represented by a circular arrangement of five post-holes, was found c. 5m inside the eastern side of the trapezoidal enclosure entrance. Three shallow post-holes were identified close to this possible structure, but no function could be assigned to them.

At the north-west side of the enclosure an anomalous, roughly semicircular, feature (diameter c. 5m) which pre-dated the enclosure ditch was excavated. At its southern terminus, three pits in an arc formation were investigated with no conclusive results. The northern ditch of the trapezoidal enclosure cut through the semicircular feature and appeared to deviate slightly in orientation at the junction between the two features.

The remaining features included three east-west-orientated post-medieval field boundary ditches, eight randomly scattered undated pits, numerous cultivation furrows and two undated drains.

Boscabell, Cashel, Co. Tipperary