2006:935 - Ballyvaas, Kildare

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Kildare Site name: Ballyvaas

Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: E002937

Author: Emma Devine, for Cultural Resource Development Services Ltd, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14.

Site type: Pit

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 676675m, N 687699m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.934625, -6.859430

A single isolated pit was uncovered by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil during centreline testing for a BGE pipeline associated with the rerouting of the N9/N10. The pit was oval in shape and measured 1.76m by 0.67m by 0.34m. A charcoal-rich deposit and fire-reddened/rubified subsoil lined the pit cut and presented clear evidence for in situ burning. Several charcoal-rich lenses were identified within the fire-reddened deposit, suggesting a fire was set in the pit on several occasions. The pit was then abandoned and filled by natural silting from the surrounding subsoil. It had been slightly truncated on its north-eastern edge by later agricultural activity. Post-excavation analysis of charcoal sampled will hopefully provide more information and a date.