2006:192 - Moyle Big, Carlow

The site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. A castle (CW007–051) was identified several hundred metres south-east of the site. This site should be viewed in conjunction with sites E2593, E2596, E2597 and E2598 (see Nos 203 and 193–5 below), as they may represent distinct elements and activities of the same site. The area excavated was located c. 215m to the east of site E2593, Rathcrogue. Excavation identified a number of non-archaeological features, including modern drains, ditches and a field boundary.
Archaeological features on site comprised two charcoal-production pits, one rectangular and one oval, with a quenching pit located between. Two post-holes were located to the west of the oval charcoal-production pit; both were circular and contained black silt clay.
Three circular cremation pits were excavated in close proximity to the charcoal-production pits. The largest of the three contained a lower fill of loose black silt clay, with burnt bone and charcoal throughout. The largest fragments of burnt bone came from the base of the pit. The upper fill was mid-brown silt clay with frequent small stone and occasional charcoal inclusions. This deposit appeared to be the upcast from the original cutting of the pit and was redeposited over the burnt material.
The second pit was slightly larger and was filled with loose black silt clay with burnt bone and charcoal throughout. The upper fill was compact black/grey silt clay with burnt bone and charcoal throughout. The third pit was shallow with a single deposit of compact brown silt clay with charcoal and burnt bone throughout. No diagnostic finds were recovered from this excavation.