2004:0800 - BLACKCHURCH, Kildare

The work was part of the N7 road widening and interchanges scheme undertaken by Kildare County Council and the NRA. Pre-development geophysical survey carried out by Earthsound Ltd initially identified an area of archaeological potential. Test-trenching carried out by Shane Delaney (Excavations 2003, No. 885, 03E1607) revealed areas of burning; linear anomalies were identified and slag, burnt and unburnt bone, and a fragment of lignite bracelet were recovered.

Resolution excavations commenced. During the resolution, it became apparent that the full extent of the archaeology was not established. Sylvia Desmond, the NRA project archaeologist, requested a topsoil-strip of the entire road-take, an area totalling 22,000m2, where a major interchange and a bridge carrying the road from Straffan to Kilteel are to be constructed. Resolution was completed between November 2003 and June 2004 with a staff of 30–45.

The site comprised c. 2000 archaeological features, which indicate industrial and possibly habitation activity during the first millennium AD and also the medieval period.

Within Area A an enclosure c. 30m in diameter was located at the western end of the site. It was D-shaped and ran off the southern edge of the site, which was defined by the limit of the road-take. There was a single extended inhumation within the enclosure, although it did not have a stratigraphic relationship with the enclosure. A lignite bracelet fragment was also recovered from the bottom of the enclosure ditch. There were traces of features within the enclosure, consisting of a few possible post-holes and areas of burning. At least three furnaces occurred in Areas A and C. They were generally figure of eight in shape and contained layers of burnt clay and charcoal fills.

In Area B there were further furnace pits, industrial waste areas, gullies with burnt material within the fill, and other pits possibly related to industrial activity. There were no indications of habitation in this area. Finds included further lignite bracelet fragments, two blue glass beads, several worked bone objects, a zoomorphic ring-headed bronze pin and a portion of a shaft of another bronze pin, all from secure contexts. A curvilinear ditch enclosed the archaeology in this area.

Area K contained numerous linear features, which were not fully resolved but were preserved in situ. However, the archaeology was recorded fully on plan, and stratigraphic relationships were established by means of sections. Some of these ditch-type features were continuations from Areas B, C and D. In Area K virtually no finds or datable material were recovered from the ditch fills. The linear features were probably drainage and/or boundary ditches of an agricultural nature.

In Areas G and J, features were also persevered in situ. Area G contained three furnace pits and several linear features, one of which contained an amber bead. Area J contained three furnaces and linear gullies and ditches. A shaft of a bronze pin and a lignite bracelet fragment occurred in two of these linear features. Some of the features in this area apparently dated from the latter part of the first millennium AD. Immediately south of the N7 in Area J there was a structure, which is marked on the first-edition OS 6-inch map. This structure and ancillary features associated with it were recorded in plan and sections were excavated to establish their nature and stratigraphic relationships.

The archaeology of Area H consisted of ditches which appear to have been boundaries of small fields or plots, and traces of masonry structures which were agricultural rather than occupational. It produced a quantity of medieval pottery. The activity in Area H was truncated by the existing N7.

The archaeology was fully excavated in the core area of the site, which is within the actual road-take. Due to time constraints, some deposits were left in situ in areas of fill, having been planned and sectioned.

The post-excavation assessment and stratigraphic report have been completed.

During the excavation it became apparent that early industrial activities were well represented. Dr Effie Photos-Jones of Scottish Analytical Services for Art and Archaeology visited the excavation and drew up a method statement and research plan. Samples were collected from the industrial deposits, in accordance with the plan, and will be subjected to metal waste analysis. Pottery, charcoal, slag, bone and finds are undergoing expert study, and conservation where necessary, and conclusions will be incorporated in the final report.

8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin