2003:1853 - ADAMSTOWN 2, Waterford

The site at Adamstown 2 contained one kiln, a number of pits and post-holes and two linear field boundaries. The kiln was oval in shape and measured 1m in length, 0.6m in width and 0.15m in depth and had been filled with a dark-brown clay containing angular stones, charcoal flecks and oxidised clay. It does not appear that the kiln was surrounded by a house, as was the case in Adamstown 1, Area 1 (No. 1852, Excavations 2003). The surrounding pits and post-holes are likely to have served an associated industrial function. The two linear features measured a maximum of 0.6m in width and had been filled with a dark-brown clay containing frequent angular and round stones. A fragment of slag was recovered from both ditches. A fragment of a black lignite bracelet was also recovered from the site. The ditches are orientated north-south and are parallel to each other and the existing field boundary to the west, probably representing post-medieval field boundaries/systems.

Further topsoil-stripping was undertaken to the south and east, where additional archaeological features have been exposed.

Testing has also been conducted to the west of the site, where two trenches were excavated. A number of features, such as possible pits and post-holes, were exposed, suggesting that the site may extend further to the west and is concentrated to the low-lying south-eastern corner of the field. It is proposed to conduct further stripping to the west, in order to define their full extent and complexity. Excavation of this site is ongoing.

A second site at Adamstown 2 was also excavated. It was exposed during monitoring of topsoil-stripping of the realigned Bord Gáis pipeline which was conducted by Jonathan Dempsey (No. 1857, Excavations 2003, 03E1064). Four pits and one large oval-shaped kiln were exposed. Excavation of this site has been completed and no further work is proposed.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth