2004:0918 - NEWRATH, Kilkenny

Waterford City Council proposed to construct an 18km bypass around Waterford city, with associated link roads. The route forms part of the N25 and runs from Kilmeaden in Co. Waterford to Slieverue in Co. Kilkenny. Two sites were prioritised for investigation (Site 34 and 35) following identification of several possible archaeological structures during Contract 2 archaeological testing (Excavations 2003, No. 1037, 03E0384).

Site 34
Site 34 was located on the eastern edge of an area of deep Holocene sediments that had accumulated in response to a progressive rise in relative sea level. The archaeological deposits are located in an area where these sediments are no more than 2–3m deep, on a probable shelving terrace now covered by estuarine deposits. Area 1 was initially established to resolve potential brushwood structures encountered during Contract 2, with a programme of additional testing conducted across the rest of the site. The subsequent discovery of more worked wood led to the excavation of three additional areas under an extended licence (Areas 2–4). A broad similarity in the nature of the natural deposits and their relationship with man-made structures was recognised across the excavation areas. At the base of Areas 1 and 4, Mesolithic activity was encountered on a dry land surface pre-dating the accumulation of reed peat. A subsequent rise in the relative sea level led to the accumulation of significant peat deposits, which were then eroded by tidal creeks. Alluvial deposition of silt within these channels would have created a firmer footing than the surrounding peat, potentially explaining their association with later prehistoric trackways, platforms and other wooden structures. The remnants of a modern brick kiln were also excavated, but no structural evidence was encountered.

Area 1 was excavated in six cuttings (A–F) down to the level of the glacial till. Six brushwood hurdles were recorded, laid parallel with a series of natural silt-filled channels. This comprised brushwood of various shapes and sizes with occasional pegs used to stabilise the structure. Two Bann flakes and a piece of struck flint were recovered from a dry land surface at the base of the reed peat. Three pits were excavated in this area, but these were difficult to interpret and could have been the result of tree rooting. Area 2 was divided into three cuttings (G–I) to expose three wooden structures with distinct platform and trackway elements. Unlike the wooden hurdles associated with silt-filled channels in Area 1, these structures were laid down over a wider area of former reed-peat beds with a distinct substructure of roundwood posts and pegs.

A fulacht fiadh was excavated in Area 3, situated on the eastern margin of the site on a rise of higher land. A timber-lined trough measuring 1.6m long by 0.8m was excavated in association with a burnt-mound spread that measured 13m by 9m.

Two separate roundwood trackways were identified in Area 4, extending from brushwood platforms on the eastern shoreline. The first was c. 4m long by c. 0.6m and constructed longitudinally. The second was a transverse construction of roundwood measuring c. 2m in length by 4m, secured by pegs on a transverse substructure.

Site 35
An area totalling 2575m2 was stripped of topsoil by machine and the subsoil surface was cleaned by hand. Three distinct archaeological phases were identified, with activity concentrated in the centre of the site. Additional test-trenches were opened to determine the full extent of activity, but no significant archaeological finds or features were discovered beyond the main area of investigation.

A circular pit, c. 0.9m wide and 0.35m deep, partially excavated during testing, contained a polished stone axe, Neolithic pottery, flint debitage, a large stone core and worked stone flakes. Two other subcircular pits with similar profiles and dimensions were identified adjacent to this feature. Likewise, they contained large quantities of Neolithic pottery and a dark, charcoal-rich fill. One of the pits had subsequently been re-cut.

A large semicircular gully, c. 9m in length, 0.3m deep and 0.3m wide, was identified in the northern part of the excavation area. As the land sloped significantly towards the west, this could have been a circular structure with one half only penetrating the subsoil. A large quantity of Late Neolithic pottery was recovered from the gully, localised in one area and appearing to come from the same vessel. A number of pits were excavated in close proximity, but these could not be confirmed as structural.

Seven small shallow pits containing a dark, charcoal-rich fill were excavated, revealing high concentrations of iron slag. This was formed as droplets and appeared to be the result of in situ smelting rather than any secondary smithing. Some residual slag had been dragged into adjacent features by later agricultural plough furrows, truncating some of the features in this area. Initial 14C dates for this area are in the region of 300 BC.

Unit 4B, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork