2007:957 - KILKEASY (043), Kilkenny

This site was identified in the townland of Kilkeasy, Co. Kilkenny, in the course of monitoring for work carried out for Kilkenny County Council/National Roads Authority during the N9/N10 Waterford to Powerstown scheme (see No. 956, Excavations 2007, E3393, A032/038). The area consists of a south-facing slope of semi-improved grassland pasture sloping to an area of wet, boggy marshland to the south. The removal of topsoil in this southern area has not been undertaken due to environmental and ecological reasons. Vegetation consisted of various grasses and thick gorse and the area is traversed by drystone walls and semi-mature hedges (127m OD, Chainage 19800).

Two features were identified in the north-western corner of the site. The larger of the two measured 1m in length and 0.98m wide. It was oval in plan, and consisted of a loose gritty sand material with angular stones. The edges and base of the feature appeared so irregular that they were unlikely to have represented a man-made cut.

The westernmost feature measured 2.26m in length and c. 1.7m wide. Prior to excavation the feature was evident as a sub-oval spread of material. A deposit of firm white gritty sand, which surrounded several medium-sized angular stones, was identified and did not appear to be contained within a well-defined cut.

Both of the features were excavated and were interpreted as having formed as a result of bioturbation or possible vegetation burning, and are therefore not thought to have archaeological significance.