County: Carlow Site name: CLONMELSH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A021/052
Author: Joanne Hughes, Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit 4b, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork.
Site type: Prehistoric settlement
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 671425m, N 670349m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.779437, -6.941311
At the top of a natural rise and overlooking the Barrow River valley, two post-holes were identified during Contract 3 testing on the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme. One of these was found to contain prehistoric pottery and the second was not investigated, as the prehistoric potential of these features was determined. It is assumed that a larger site exists in the vicinity of these features and a more extensive area will be topsoil-stripped around them during the resolution phase of works.
A second possible prehistoric settlement consisting of several post-holes, a small curvilinear feature and a possible pit were identified c. 150m to the north of the above features. Sherds of prehistoric pottery and carbonised nut shells were recovered from two of these features. A destroyed post-medieval field boundary ditch was also identified in this area.
A small number of these features were sample-excavated, but as their prehistoric potential was realised it was agreed to leave the remaining features for the resolution phase of work.
