2008:730 - Neworchard, Kilkenny

The second phase of a test excavation was carried out on a development site in Neworchard, Co. Kilkenny. The first phase had been carried out in August 2007 (Excavations 2007, No. 993). The development site lies 2km north-east of Kilkenny city and was subdivided into three fields (Fields 1–3), each of which had a similar condition attached to a grant of planning permission. These conditions requested that an assessment, including testing and/or a geophysical survey, be carried out in each field prior to the commencement of development works. Development plans included residential and commercial buildings, as well as an access road and roundabout.
A geophysical survey was carried out on the site, in Fields 1–3, in June 2007 (Harrison 2007) and a number of subsurface anomalies were detected. It was proposed to excavate test-trenches through these anomalies as it was likely that they represented subsurface archaeological remains.
Field 1 was not accessible at the time of the previous testing phase and therefore test-trenches were only excavated in Fields 2 and 3 in August 2007. Field 1 became accessible in February 2008 when it was assessed. The testing was carried out on 25 February 2008 using a track machine with a 2m-wide toothless bucket. Two trenches (Nos 5 and 6) were excavated through an anomaly in Field 1. These trenches varied from 0.3m to 0.5m deep.
Trench 5 revealed the presence of an anomaly noted during the geophysical survey; it consisted of a shallow boundary ditch filled with an orange/brown silty clay which resembled subsoil. It was U-shaped and was 0.3m deep with patches of burning visible along its length. This north-east/south-west linear anomaly represented a field boundary which was present on the first edition of OS map (1834–42). By the time the second edition was drafted the fields had been amalgamated into one (1857–1882). A shallow gully was also noted in Trench 5; it was north–south-orientated and visible for 4m before it ran under the baulk. It was probably related to agricultural practices, such as ploughing. An ovoid feature was also noted in the trench and was sectioned to reveal an irregular cut which was c. 0.05–0.1m deep and filled with a mid-brown silty clay that had charcoal fragments scattered throughout. It was probably related to agricultural practises on the site. The features have been fully tested and were found to have no archaeological significance.
Trench 6 was excavated over the site of an anomaly noted during the geophysical survey. It was found to be a geological variation in the subsoil and not of archaeological importance.
Recommendations within the report included a phase of monitoring in Field 3; the development works have yet to take place.
Reference
Harrison, D. 2007 Geophysical survey report: Neworchard, Co. Kilkenny. (Licence 07R0053)