2007:815 - HALLAHOISE, Kildare

This site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme, Phase 3: Kilcullen to Carlow. Archaeological resolution was carried out in July and August 2007, with an area of 6955m2 stripped of topsoil. Excavation revealed a rectangular enclosure as well as several other features and inter-cutting ditches.

Ditches
The main enclosure comprised an uninterrupted ditch (004), which ran northwards for 22.3m, then bent westwards in a curved right angle, continued for 40.4m (forming the northern edge) before curving back around and extending southwards for c. 12m, ending in a rounded terminal. This ditch averaged about 2m in width, with a depth range of 0.8–1m. It produced several sherds of medieval pottery and some animal bone.

A small ditch segment (352) survived in the south-western corner of the enclosure (5.2m by 2m by 1m). It had two rounded terminals, but relationships in this area were complicated by several truncation episodes. The rise of natural between the southern rounded terminal of ditch (004) and the northern rounded terminal of ditch segment (352) may have acted as an entrance way. There were no other breaks in the perimeter ditch of the enclosure. Although no related structural features indicated a drawbridge-style access, this cannot be entirely ruled out.

The southern limit of the enclosure had been truncated by the townland boundary ditch (width 1.5–2m by depth 0.8–0.45m). The later ditch appears to have extended the southern arm of the enclosure ditch to both the west and east, creating the modern townland boundary between Hallahoise and Woodlands East. The associated bank survived along the southern edge to a height of c. 1m across the width of the site. Beyond the limits of the enclosure, however, the bank was less solidly constructed and appeared to be made up predominantly of topsoil material rather than the natural clays employed in the construction of the original enclosure bank.

There was no surviving trace of the bank along the other three sides. However, a substantial cobble or stone layer identified in ditch (004) may have been the remains of a collapsed stone wall or revetment. This in turn was capped by reddish sandy clay, which may possibly represent slumped material from an earthen bank eroded out due to agricultural activity.

In addition to the main enclosure and townland boundary ditches, six others were also identified. At the south-west corner of the enclosure four ditches converge. Their chronological relationship was complicated by multiple intercutting episodes. Stratigraphic analysis is still ongoing.

One ditch snakes northwards as a continuation of that investigated under excavation licence number E2951 (see No. 863, Excavations 2007). It averaged 2m in width, with a depth of 0.77m, and was traced for 63m. The northern end was truncated during testing. A few sherds of medieval pottery and slag fragments were recovered.

Three other, less substantial, ditches were orientated roughly east to west. One large ditch bisected the northern arm of the enclosure and extended northwards for at least 48.6m within the CPO. It was c. 2m wide, with a depth of 0.67m, and produced a metal pin from the junction with enclosure ditch (004).

Inside the enclosure
The internal space of the rectangular enclosure was dominated by a large, sub-square furnace pit/kiln measuring 4.4m east–west by 4.2m, with a maximum depth of 0.44m. It had a protruding bulb central to its southern side, which may have operated as a flue or means of introducing air and controlling temperature. The base was extensively heat scorched, with the central upper portion opposite the possible flue noticeably more compact. This compaction was thought to have been a factor of heat intensity, which created an impermeable base, locked out rising ground-water and kept the pit area dry.

Above the scorched horizon was a concentrated layer of small to medium-sized, irregular, angular fragments of burnt limestone. Associated with this layer were two collections of larger limestone blocks, in the north-east corner and just north of the possible flue area. These larger examples may have been the parent stone of the smaller burnt fragments.

Patches of solid wood charcoal (205) were found adhering to the internal edges. These charcoal concentrations were particularly associated with the possible flue area, as well as both western corners and the southern end. Several bone fragments and two teeth were recovered from context (205). Context (297) may also have resulted from a similar episode, but with incomplete carbonisation leaving an organic residue. The timber may have originally formed a floor surface or been used as fuel.

Context (204) filled the upper 0.29m of the pit. It was composed of mixed yellow-reddish-brown, silty, slightly sandy clay with small stones and pebbles. Occasional bone fragments were recovered as well as four pieces of slag. This deposit probably formed from natural infilling processes.

Within the enclosure there were 24 pits, the majority of which were located to the north of the furnace pit. Most had mixed fills, with several producing charcoal, animal bone and slag fragments. Many of them appeared to have been ultimately used as dumping pits.

One oval pit (240) had sharp breaks of slope, with slightly undercut, concave sides and a convex base with an elevated centre, rising c. 0.04m. It was orientated west-north-west to east-south-east and measured 1.17m by 0.94m by 0.38m. The pit was filled with dark-grey/brown sandy silt with a moderate amount of gravel and pebbles. Occasionally, the limestone fragments displayed white ‘heated’ surface traces or were completely white and soft, similar to those recovered from the furnace pit. Animal-bone fragments and charcoal (in pieces up to 30mm in length) were also present. An iron knife blade was found 0.03m from the base of the pit.

Peripheral features
Several other slag-related pits were identified to the west of the enclosure. On occasion they were cut through pre-existing ditches. No diagnostic finds were recovered.

A cluster of structural elements, including fourteen stake-holes, six possible post-holes and two composite slot-trenches, were located to the north-west of the enclosure. These were associated with several other pits. Interpretive analysis of stratigraphic relationships and structural morphology is still under consideration. Many of the cut features produced animal bone but no diagnostic artefacts.

To the north-east of the above cluster and immediately east of ditch (048), two possible slot-trenches were identified. This area had been left as a high island during mechanical testing. It was further truncated to the west by ditch (048). Intrusive investigation during testing had also disturbed an associated charcoal-rich pit (330) with dimensions of 0.88m by 0.87m by 0.37m. This pit produced animal bone and was interpreted as a refuse pit.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork