County: Tipperary Site name: Rathnaveoge Lower 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E003583
Author: Tori McMorran, for Valerie J. Keeley Ltd, Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Site type: Possible medieval settlement; limekiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 607785m, N 684073m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.907454, -7.884256
This potential site was identified during testing along the route of the proposed N7 Castletown to Nenagh road improvement scheme. Excavation was carried out in September 2007. Six areas were stripped of topsoil
In Area 1 two east–west slot-trenches located on the southern side of an oval hearth may represent the remains of a structure of indeterminate extent. A small number of post- and stake-holes were found around these features. In addition at least three possible stone post pads were set within the fills of each slot-trench. The remains of a possible trampled, compacted floor surface were visible in patches across the area but in particular surrounding the hearth.
In Area 2 a north-east/south-west-aligned ditch was excavated. Several deposits containing burnt bone were found in pits along the edge of the ditch. One fragment of bone has been identified as goat/sheep. A fragment of medieval pottery was discovered within the fill towards the base of the ditch. These deposits may represent dumped food waste from an unidentified nearby settlement.
In Area 3 remains of a stone-built limekiln were found set into the side of a steep hill. The structure was c. 2.5m2 and stood to a maximum depth of c. 3m below ground level. The upper levels and the front wall had been demolished and the interior backfilled and covered over with soil. At the base of the slope was a large oval pit filled with broken limestone, possibly waste from the kiln processes.
In Area 4 nothing of archaeological significance was found.
Area 5 contained two oval-shaped pits containing a large quantity of charcoal burnt in situ. These are interpreted as charcoal kilns.
In Area 6 two small shallow pits containing charcoal and burnt clay were found. One pit appeared to contain evidence of burning in situ. The irregularity of the shape and size of these pits suggests they may represent the remains of tree or shrub clearance by fire.
