2007:759 - Ballyvass, Kildare

This site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme, Phase 3: Kilcullen to Carlow. Centreline trenching by CRDS in 2006 revealed a series of inhumations forming the northern extremity of a cemetery. The remains of seven burials were recorded during testing and subsequently recommended for resolution.
The site was in a field under crop. The cemetery was located within a gravel ridge, the content of which was extensively quarried for the adjacent roadway. Seven extended inhumations were recorded within an area 20m by 6m. The location of the burials was defined to the north by a disused gravel quarry and to the south by the proposed road-take.
The excavation commenced on 14 May with the clearance of overburden to reveal the grave-cuts identified during centre-line trenching. The seven burials were identified, all in poor condition as a result of agricultural activity.
Skeleton 1 was in poor condition and there was no evidence of a grave-cut. The skeleton was prone and extended with an east–west orientation. The burial was particularly badly preserved, with the left leg, pelvis and cranium being the bulk of the remains.
Skeleton 2 survived well, considering the amount of agricultural activity overhead. Unfortunately the bones were not in good condition, so, while the skeleton was relatively intact when recorded in situ, the bones began to disintegrate during removal. Again, there was no apparent evidence of a grave-cut.
Skeleton 3 consisted of the partial remains of an extended inhumation. The remains comprised the lower legs from the knee to ankle. Other parts of this burial may survive beyond the CPO line.
Skeleton 4 was in extremely poor condition and it is highly likely that the bones on the surface were dragged here through plough action. There was no evidence of any form of grave-cut but two large angular stones were recorded to the north of the remains and may be associated with some form of grave.
Skeleton 5 was in moderately poor condition with no bone survival below the level of the knees. There is slight evidence for a grave-cut, 1.28m in length (east–west) and 0.35m in width. The depth of the cut varies from 0.03m at the east to 0.16m to the west.
Skeleton 6 was a juvenile, in poor condition, with only moderate survival of the bones. The burial appeared to have been directly impacted on by ploughing, causing considerable damage. A possible grave-cut was visible with a partial stone lining along the northern edge. The cut was 1.4m in length (east–west) and 0.47m in width.
Skeleton 7 comprised a scatter of disarticulated bone to the south of Skeleton 6. These may represent human remains removed during later burial on the site and reburied at this location.
Skeleton 8 was in moderate condition, although the ribcage and vertebrae did not survive. The long bones and skull were intact, although the legs were flexed at the knees pointing towards the north. A well-defined grave-cut was recorded here, being 1.45m in length (east–west), 0.47m in width and reaching a maximum depth of 0.1m.
Skeleton 9 lay 0.54m to the north of Skeleton 8. The skeleton survived in moderate to poor condition. The long bones were intact as were the skull and mandible. This burial was contained in a well-defined grave-cut, 1.56m in length (east–west), 0.52m in width at the west end of the cut and tapering to 0.27m at the eastern end of the grave. The cut survived to a maximum depth of 0.1m.
In total, nine burials were excavated in varying states of preservation. In general, the soils were not conducive to good preservation, a situation that was exacerbated by many years of ploughing. It is fair to assume that the majority of burials lie to the south of the CPO line and will remain preserved in situ.
The gravel ridge on which this cemetery is located shows evidence for an increase in height to accommodate its use as a cemetery; however, no trace of any enclosing element was recorded during excavations.