2005:099 - JOHNSTOWN, Carlow

This report deals with the results of testing of Area 2 of Archaeological Services Contract 3, N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Area 2 ran from Russellstown to Moyle Big townlands. Fourteen areas of archaeological significance were identified (Sites 1–14: A021/016–29, see Nos 54, 70–78 and 97–98 above and No. 100 below). This site comprises a roadway or trackway with a possible medieval date that had been identified prior to testing and was situated within the boundary of two fields. Excavation revealed two parallel ditches which enclosed a raised, metalled surface. A test-trench was excavated at a 90° angle to a ‘disused avenue’, which exposed a pair of parallel ditches, 3m apart, with a north-east/south-west orientation. The southern ditch was 2.9m in width at ground level, which narrowed to 0.5m at its base. This feature was 0.7m in maximum depth with gently sloping sides and a concave base. No charcoal or datable archaeological artefacts were recovered from either of the ditches. The northern ditch was 2.5m wide across the top, which narrowed to 0.45m at basal level and was 0.45m in maximum depth. Both ditches were filled with dark-brown/black sticky clay, which was organic in content with many roots and decayed wood fragments. A number of rounded pebbles were retrieved from the ditches and the topsoil over the metalled surface, which may have formed part of a cobbled surface. The northern ditch was cut into fulacht fiadh material in the adjacent field. The ditches flanked a raised metalled surface. A trench excavated through the surface exposed a single layer of metalling (c. 0.06m in depth) set into underlying gravelly clay. It is possible, although, given the presence of the flanking ditches, unlikely, that the metalled surface may constitute an interface between the topsoil and the underlying gravel-rich clay.