2007:862 - TIMOLIN, Kildare

This site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme, Phase 3: Kilcullen to Carlow. Testing initially identified two sites, a ring-ditch truncated by a field boundary ditch and a wall foundation adjacent to burnt deposits that yielded local medieval pottery sherds. Due to their close proximity the two sites were amalgamated during the excavation phase, sharing the same licence number. Resolution was carried out between June and September 2007, with an area of 1955m2 stripped of topsoil. Excavation revealed two ring-ditches and evidence for medieval settlement.

The most southerly ring-ditch had a maximum external diameter of 8.8m and measured c. 7m internally. Its ditch was c. 0.9m wide and 0.4m deep with gradual sides and a concave base. A second smaller ring-ditch was located 15m to the north-east and measured 5.28m in maximum external diameter and 3.56–4.2m internally. The ditch width was a maximum 0.9m wide and 0.42m deep with gradual sides and a slightly concave base. Possible prehistoric pits were located nearby.

A medieval curvilinear ditch appeared to enclose the eastern part of the site. It measured c. 50.5m long within the site, with a possible causewayed entrance that was destroyed by later disturbance. It had a maximum width and depth of 1.97m and 0.85m respectively.

In the central area of the site excavation revealed structural remains including four post-holes, measuring between 0.22m and 0.3m in diameter and 0.27m and 0.4m deep, located within the confines of a metalled surface measuring 2.45m by 4.5m and a 1.25m-long linear arrangement of six stake-holes that overlay various compacted mixed and yellow clay deposits that appeared to have been introduced to level up the ground and possibly act as a floor surface. Later disturbance obscured the full nature and extent of these deposits but they survived within a subrectangular area measuring c. 10m by c. 11m and were between 0.2m and 0.3m deep. Various pits and linear features also occurred within the area but no foundation trenches or hearth was located.

A drying kiln consisting of a subcircular bowl and flue component (aligned north–south) made from medium to large-sized limestone rocks cemented together with yellow clay was located to the north-west of the structural remains. It survived to between two and three courses thick. A post-medieval field boundary ditch disturbed the feature, with surviving dimensions of 1.6m diameter for the bowl and the flue measuring c. 1m long and 0.7m wide. The kiln was filled with charcoal and ash deposits overlain by destruction layers with animal bone content.

Features north of the kiln included a burnt linear feature measuring 4m by 0.6m and 0.3m deep in which a series of burning episodes took place and a rectilinear gully associated with the surviving portion of a wall foundation. The gully measured 4.5m by 3.5m, c. 0.8m wide and 0.27m deep. The wall foundation (aligned east–west) measured 1.7m and 0.32m thick and was composed of medium to large-sized sub-angular and subrectangular limestone. A metalled surface possibly representing a work area was located c. 6.5m east of the kiln and adjacent features. It was disturbed by later field boundary ditches and survived in patches within a subrectangular area measuring 15m by 12m.

North-west of the structural remains a second metalled surface was uncovered, surviving in small patches within an irregular area measuring 9m by 6m and overlain by a spread of randomly occurring medium to large-sized stones. A series of furrows (aligned north–south) and pits to the west of this surface are likely to represent agricultural activity associated with the settlement.

A hearth feature located to the south end of the site was in close proximity to a number of disturbed pits, one of which was stone lined. It was irregular in shape, measuring 1.2m by 0.8m and 0.8m deep, and contained a large flagstone on its base. It partly overlay an irregular-shaped clay surface measuring 4m by 1.7m and 0.15m deep. The surviving dimensions of the sub-square stone-lined pit, which utilised the clay surface to bond the stones, was 0.9m by 0.7m and 0.25m deep. Its function was unclear.

Various other pits, post-holes, linear features and ditches all belonged to the medieval phase. A majority of features yielded medieval pottery sherds, mostly green-glazed, with both imported and locally produced wares being represented. Numerous metal objects were found including a decorated copper alloy stick-pin. A silver coin, a King John penny, was also recovered and dated the site to between the 12th and 13th centuries. Slag recovered suggested limited metalworking. Animal bone was recovered from some features.

A number of post-medieval field boundary ditches, some truncating medieval features, were also present.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork