County: Kildare Site name: Baronsland
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E002880
Author: Emer Dennehy, for Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork.
Site type: Multi-phase site with kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 683413m, N 703584m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.076348, -6.755115
The site was identified during testing of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Carlow roadway by IAC Ltd. At this time the site was identified as a linear feature lined with large stone slabs to each side. A pit with a rich charcoal deposit measuring 1.5m in diameter and 0.25m deep was also noted. Two small pits/post-holes were located nearby.
An area measuring 100m2 was stripped of topsoil. This was subsequently extended on all four sides such that the area of excavation measured 625m2. Excavation commenced on site on 12 August 2007 and was completed on 2 October 2007. At least two phases of archaeological stratigraphy were identified during the resolution of the site.
Phase I can be subdivided into two episodes of use, Phase 1A and 1B. Phase 1A commenced with the excavation of a north–south linear feature, Feature 030 (19m in length by 0.85m by 0.23m in depth). The function of the linear feature is uncertain but it may have temporarily functioned as a drain.
Phase 1B was identified through the presence of nine subcircular post-holes located in the north-east quarter of the site, two of which were inserted into the basal fill of Feature 030. The posts appear to be laid out in a rectangular pattern and may represent the remains of a small structure significantly disturbed by the activities of Phase II.
Phase II was identified by the presence of a large two-chambered stone-lined kiln truncating the post-hole cluster of Phase IB and Feature 030. The kiln measured 7m north-east/south-west and varied in width from 1.3m to 1.9m. A degree of robbing had occurred; the surviving green sandstone slabs used to line the kiln had average dimensions of 0.7m by 0.5m by 0.15m.
The remains of a drain and field boundary orientated north-east/south-west and running parallel to the kiln were also excavated. These are not illustrated on the first-edition OS maps. The drain 014 contained a charcoal-enriched fill, presumably derived either from the cleaning of the kiln or during the course of robbing of the stone lining. An additional east–west ditch and north–south connector gully were present in the west of the site but no stratigraphy has as yet been established. A sherd of post-medieval ceramic was retrieved from a disturbed context.
