County: Kilkenny Site name: AR109, Blanchvillespark 3
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E003913
Author: Tim Coughlan, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Wicklow.
Site type: Burnt-mound activity
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 660722m, N 655696m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.649065, -7.102634
This site was located within the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Road Scheme Phase 4, Knocktopher to Powerstown, on low ground to the immediate north of the existing N9 and c. 30m to the south-west of a large stream. The site was prone to flooding. Three areas of archaeological activity were recorded at this site. Area A contained several small spreads of burnt-mound material, and one pit (2.2m by 1.6m by 0.42m depth) which was truncated by two linear features, possibly relating to agricultural activity in the area. Area B contained a small pit (1.3m by 1.3m by 0.3m depth) with three fills, including burnt-mound material. A spread of similar material was noted adjacent to the pit. In Area C a large shallow feature (at least 10m by 5m by 0.55m average depth) was identified within the centre of the site which may have formed part of a paleochannel associated with the stream to the north-east of the site. It contained a number of fills, most of which were sterile silting deposits. However, it is clear that burnt-mound material had been cast into this feature along the northern edge. Immediately to the north of this feature was an area of 21 post- and slot-holes which were arranged to form a possible subrectangular structure (3m by 2m). A pit (0.75m by 1m) was located within this arrangement and an area of oxidisation (?hearth) was discovered 2m to the east. These post-holes and associated features were sealed by a deposit of burnt-mound material characterised by heat-affected stones and charcoal.
It is probable that the archaeological remains discovered at this site represent a temporary habitation site associated with burnt-mound or fulacht fiadh activity, although no obvious trough was identified. This may be located outside of the land-take. It is possible that the remains of the structure were formerly located on higher ground to the north of the former stream channel, as the immediate surroundings were subject to flooding or under boggy ground. The land has since been modified and as a result this distinction in the topography has been lost. Indeed, when flooding occurred on-site, the area containing the structure remained dry. It is hoped that charcoal obtained from the site will provide a date for the activity, which has been provisionally dated to the Bronze Age.
