County: Louth Site name: Site 18, Haynestown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: 06E0475
Author: Gill McLoughlin, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 9 Albert Terrace, Meath Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Small circular ditched enclosure and kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 705392m, N 802560m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.961593, -6.393937
This site was identified as a result of an intensive testing programme (Excavations 2005, No. 1078, 05E0963) in relation to a proposed residential and mixed-use development. Features identified in testing indicated a small circular enclosure and an internal pit. Upon excavation, the internal pit proved to be a figure-of-eight-shaped kiln. It measured 3.15m by 1.1m by 0.38m deep and contained a number of stones, one of which may have functioned as a baffle stone. A layer of charcoal and charred grain was found within the bowl. A slightly unusual feature of this kiln was its narrow flue, which was lined and capped with stones running under the bowl and joining with the shallow enclosing ditch next to it.
The enclosing ditch was subcircular in shape and was cut on its north side by a linear drainage ditch. The enclosure measured c. 7.5m in diameter and appeared to be contemporary with the kiln. In the vicinity of the kiln the enclosing ditch contained a charcoal-rich fill mixed with burnt clay and charred grain. Clearly the subcircular ditch was open when the kiln was in use, although it is not clear if this was the primary intended purpose of the ditch. Also it appeared to be a deliberate factor that the flue connected the kiln to the enclosure ditch.
Modern ditches, furrows and drains truncated the site. No finds were recovered from any of the features. Specialist analysis of the charcoal and grain will be undertaken, and radiocarbon dating .
