2008:697 - Drakeland Lower, Kilkenny

Testing and excavation were undertaken on behalf of McInerney Homes on the site of a proposed housing development in Kilcreen, Co. Kilkenny. The proposed development site lay in the townland of Drakeland Lower, c. 1km west of Kilkenny city. The terrain is gently undulating with a pronounced slope running west to east towards Kilkenny city. At the western extent are the remains of a tower-house and associated bawn (KK019–020), which are in ruins.
A total of 39 linear trenches were excavated across the footprint of the site. Three small areas, one 20m by 20m and two 10m by 10m, were opened up to further assess archaeological remains. Topsoil ranged in depth from 0.15m to 0.29m and sealed subsoil composed of mottled orange/brown silty clay to a depth of 0.28m. Below this, natural undisturbed subsoil was exposed.
A possible kiln or sunken pyre, a pit with in situ burning and an associated post-hole and a second pit with in situ burning were identified as being archaeological in nature. No finds of archaeological interest were recovered.
The kiln or possible sunken pyre was located near the eastern end of the site and was figure-of-eight-shaped in plan. It measured 2.65m north–south, 1.8m in maximum width, and 0.75m in maximum depth. Fire-reddened or oxidised clay was noted at the northern end. The back fills included a relatively complicated sequence of spent fuel, frequent burnt bone in a clayey silt matrix, collapse of a possible superstructure and natural infilling. Although this feature did resemble a medieval corn-drying kiln, the volume of burnt or cremated bone within its fills suggested otherwise. Analysis of the burnt bone assemblage will prove crucial in interpreting the function of this feature.
A pit with in situ burning was uncovered in the middle portion of this site. It was subcircular in plan and measured 1m in length, 0.78m in width and 0.36m in depth. A deposit or possible lining of small to medium-sized stones was noted on the base and sides. A post-hole was noted 2m west of the pit.
The second pit with in situ burning was located near the south-west corner of the site. This pit was circular in plan and was 0.88m in diameter and 0.2m in depth. Fire-reddened clay was observed across the entire base and sides and penetrated the natural subsoil to a maximum depth of 0.05m. A basal deposit of c. 80% charcoal was sealed by a deposit of silt. No features were uncovered within a 10m radius of this pit.
Post-excavation analysis is ongoing.