County: Tipperary Site name: SPAFIELD
Sites and Monuments Record No.: TS061-071001 Licence number: 05E0443
Author: Niall Gregory, Gregory Consultant Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Hearth and Kiln
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 607503m, N 639322m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.505238, -7.889471
Monitoring of topsoil-stripping and archaeological excavation was conducted within a greenfield area at Spafield, Cashel, in advance of commercial development between 29 March and 25 May 2005. Further monitoring works associated with the development took place between 18 and 25 November. The scheme encompassed an area of c. 25,570m2.
Two archaeological features were encountered in the course of the works, as well as a plough pebble, which indicated the presence of medieval ploughing activities. Two kilns were exposed during the course of stripping. These were located in the south-western sector of the site and were fully excavated. Hearth Feature 1 was oval in plan with a wedge-shaped projection on its south-western edge. It was orientated north-east/south-west and measured 0.9m long by 0.8m wide by 0.23m deep. The projection or flue measured an additional 0.22m long by 0.13m wide. The edge of the feature was defined by a white rim of soil. The flue was mainly identified by this white-coloured soil, although a shallow trace of the cut was also visible in section. This white colour may be the result of intensive heat from use of the hearth. The cut of the hearth contained three contexts. Hearth Feature 2 was located 0.8m north-east of Feature 1. It was roughly oval in plan, was aligned north-north-east by south-south-west and measured 1.2m long by 0.74m wide by 0.16m deep. The cut of the hearth contained four contexts. It was very disturbed by root action. The edge of the feature was defined by a white rim on its southern edge and by burnt red soil, again indicating intensive heat from use of the hearth or kiln.
Dunburbeg, Clonmel Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
