2007:908 - AR058, Danganbeg, Kilkenny

This site was located within the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme along Contract 2, Phase 4, Knocktopher to Powerstown, on an east-facing slope of heavily ploughed agricultural lands with a boggy hollow at its southern extent. A geophysical survey identified a possible mill structure at this southern point and given the proximity of KK031–007, site of castle, it was thought the activity might date to the medieval period. Four areas, A–D, were stripped of topsoil to locate and investigate the geophysical anomalies and excavate features definitely identified during testing. Four additional test-trenches were opened in between the four areas to ensure maximum archaeological survey potential was achieved.
Area A was located in the north-west of the site and was therefore closest to the castle site; an area 62m by 34m was stripped of topsoil. A number of post-pits and stake-holes were identified; cursory examination suggests these could be the remains of one or more curving arcs that may correspond to one or more circular structures. Some ceramic fragments were recovered from a number of post-holes; further analysis will be necessary to date these. It is possible the ceramic is Bronze Age in date and therefore related to the activity in Areas B and D (below).
Area B (26m by 21m) was located in the north-east corner of the site and revealed the remains of a badly disturbed burnt mound in the form of a shallow spread (6m by 6m by 0.1m deep). Subrectangular troughs (2.1m by 1m by 0.4m deep and 1.53m by 0.92m by 0.51m deep) were cut through smaller oval pits/troughs, indicating two phases of activity. A number of stake-holes were recorded in clusters around both troughs and may represent superstructures or simple windbreaks. All features were filled by burnt-mound material that comprised heat-cracked stones and large amounts of charcoal-rich soils. A subcircular pit (2m by 2m by 0.75m), located adjacent to both troughs, also contained burnt-mound material and had also been recut for further use. The pit had sloping sides and filled with water during excavation; it is therefore interpreted as a well. Its south-west side had a shallower slope than the others to allow access to the water.
Area C (38m by 30m) was located along the eastern edge of the site and contained nothing of archaeological significance.
Area D (34m by 50m) was located in the south-west corner of the site, and was opened to locate the possible mill-race identified during geophysical survey; instead a modern drainage system consisting of a linear drain and large stone-filled sump was exposed; 19th-century pottery sherds were recovered from both. To the east of this modern drainage were the badly ploughed-out remains of a burnt mound remaining as a dark-grey stain (2.2m by 2m). A small triangular-shaped flat-bottomed pit (0.95m by 0.95m by 0.36m deep) is interpreted as a trough. A subcircular pit 4.2m south of the trough measured 1.9m by 1.43m by 0.74m deep and had sloping sides; its western side was less steep than the others. The pit is interpreted as a well, the less steep side allowing access to the water. Several other pits were identified in the vicinity of these features including one large waste pit (3.31m by 1.3m by 0.42m deep) which had been recut; the trough and pit were located in a pronounced dip in the topography. All were filled with charcoal-rich soils containing large amounts of heat-cracked stone. A curving slot-trench (1.97m by 0.35m by 0.24m deep) that contained four post-/stake-holes was located 26m north-west and uphill from the burnt-mound activity and may represent the remains of a shelter or structure associated with it. No diagnostic finds were recovered from the slot-trench.