County: Kildare Site name: CORBALLY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KD023-113 and KD023-113001 Licence number: 04E0658
Author: Frank Coyne, Aegis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Moated site and Burial ground
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 684765m, N 712271m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.154189, -6.732661
Testing was undertaken in advance of the proposed extension to a brownstone sand and gravel pit. The development site is located immediately to the north of an enclosure and cemetery that were excavated from October to December 2003 by (Excavations 2003, No. 907, 03E1752). A number of features extended into the current development site, while a geophysical survey conducted by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics Ltd (March 2004) also revealed numerous features throughout the area. This phase of test-trenching was conducted in order to determine the extent and nature of those potential archaeological features.
Eleven trenches were excavated, varying from 18m to 100m in length by 1.5m wide, including one open area measuring 20m by 20m. A number of post-medieval/modern field boundaries were identified. A number of substantial ditch features were also identified, some of which originate from the northern side of the enclosure and are likely to be from the same archaeological horizon. These appear to be ancillary enclosures/field systems associated with the enclosure. The largest of the ditches is consistent in width and depth with the enclosing element of the site excavated in 2003. A number of other features were also identified to the north-east. A rectangular pit containing animal bone and evidence of burning appears to be associated with a slot-trench/furrow of uncertain function. These features were subsequently excavated under licence 03E1752 ext. (No. 818, Excavations 2004).
16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick
