2006:207 - TINRYLAND, Carlow

The site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. It was situated two fields east of Tinryland village (CW007–048). A subrectangular area measuring 17446m2 was stripped. The site was situated on flat land that gently sloped eastwards towards the north.

Excavation revealed the remains of two round houses surviving as circular arrangements of post-holes, both situated in the middle portion of the site. The most easterly arrangement was situated 3m from the edge of site. It consisted of nine post-holes, with an average maximum diameter of 0.26m and an average depth of 0.21m. The arrangement had a diameter of 7m. A series of four stake-holes within the circle formed a 0.6m-long linear arrangement aligned north-east/south-west. It possibly represents internal division within the structure. One of the post-holes yielded prehistoric pottery sherds, as did a pit situated directly south of the circle. The second round house was 35m west of the first. It consisted of eight surviving post-holes, with five forming a circular arrangement, three of which had a smaller ancillary post-hole located directly south-east of it. A 4m-long arrangement of 24 stake-holes was aligned north-east/south-west, suggesting a similar internal division, as in the first round house, along an identical axis. The second round house also had a diameter of 7m, but it is likely that not all of its post-holes survived, as later ditches were situated directly north and south of it.

A total of 22 charcoal-production pits were distributed throughout the site. Most were subrectangular with typical dimensions of 1m by 0.6m and 0.15m deep, with gradual sides and an oxidised flat base. Most contained a basal layer of charcoal-rich fill below an upper backfill of redeposited subsoil.

Six cremation pits were located on site. Two occurred in pairs and two in relative isolation. All six produced burnt-bone content and one yielded sherds of prehistoric pottery. The most northerly was truncated by a stake-hole through its base.

In the south-west corner of the site was a grouping of features consisting of thirteen post-holes, two possible post-holes, one pit and a stake-hole. While they did not make any obvious arrangement on plan, the cluster had a general north-east/south-west orientation and was confined to an area measuring 8m by 5m. One post-hole yielded prehistoric pottery sherds.

A second grouping of features was located directly north of the group mentioned above. It consisted of eleven post-holes, eleven stake-holes and pits that did not form any apparent arrangement. Perhaps the most significant feature of the group was a subrectangular pit that measured 3.2m by 1.6m and 0.15m deep with gradual sides and a concave base. Its basal layer formed a metalled surface consisting of fine to medium-sized pebbles and small stones set into a silty clay matrix with a high charcoal content. The stones were burnt, but it was not clear if this happened in situ or before deposition. Prehistoric pottery was retrieved from the upper fill. A total of eleven stake-holes were located in and around the edges of the pit, possibly the support for a windbreak.

Miscellaneous features on site included a number of pits and post-holes, most occurring in isolation. Some produced prehistoric pottery, with others yielding various lithics, including a flint knife blade.

Two linear ditches and a curvilinear ditch were situated in the central portion of the site. The most southerly of the three was aligned north-west/south-east and consisted of tree portions, with the largest break 5.5m long. Directly north of this was a field boundary ditch that ran the width of the road corridor along a similar axis to the first ditch. An east–west-aligned curvilinear ditch was directly north of the field boundary ditch and it too ran the width of the road corridor. All three are likely to date to post-medieval land division. Post-excavation work is continuing.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork