2007:916 - Untested Area 4, Earlsrath/Ballylusky, Kilkenny

The site was uncovered during archaeological work for Kilkenny County Council in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Waterford to Powerstown scheme. The first registration number for this site (E3391) refers to monitoring in April 2007 of the developer’s topsoil-stripping in the townlands of Earlsrath and Ballyluskey, Kilbeacon, Co. Kilkenny. Monitoring revealed a spread of cobbling, three spreads of burnt-mound material, a possible kiln and a possible metalworking furnace.
In May–June 2007 the area was excavated under E3645. The features uncovered were situated on both sides of a north-east/south-west-orientated stream which wound its way down a steep slope and formed the boundary between Earlsrath and Ballylusky townlands. Two areas associated with ferrous metallurgical activity were excavated, both located 27m apart at the west side of the stream. The first contained a succession of smelting furnace pits and the second was a large shallow pit with slag in its fill.
Three burnt mounds were also excavated. These deposits consisted of heat-shattered stone, black/grey silt and charcoal. The first was located at the higher, northern end of the site. The mound material concealed a stone-based hearth and a rectangular, partly stone-lined trough. A small trough beside the stream nearby may be contemporary. At the southern end of the site, the remains of hearths and a water-filled trough were uncovered. Both features were sealed by burnt-mound material. Finally there was a spread of burnt-mound material scattered around the centre of the site west of the stream. A shallow subrectangular pit which may have been a trough was uncovered below this material.