2009:469 - BALLYBURN UPPER, Kildare

Excavations were carried out on behalf of the Irish Concrete Federation and Dan Morrissey (IRL) Ltd at Ballyburn Upper, Co. Kildare, between 22 March and 17 April 2009. The works were undertaken on foot of the results of a geophysical survey and subsequent testing in December 2008, in advance of a new quarry development (Excavations 2008, No. 649, 08E0634). Four areas (Areas A–D) were stripped of topsoil and resolved.
Area A was located close to the north-western corner of the development and measured 75m north–south by 50m. This area produced seven charcoal-production pits, three of which were radiocarbon-dated to the early medieval period, plus a pit and post-hole. Area B was located 96m south of Area A and measured 50m east–west by 50m. This area produced nothing of archaeological interest. Area C was located 380m south of Area B, measured 75m north–south by 50m and revealed a circular arrangement of post-holes and post-pits with numerous internal stake-holes, two pits and a deposit. Radiocarbon dates showed that this structure dated to the Middle to Late Bronze Age while one of the postholes contained a spindle whirl. Three pits were located within 2m of this structure, with two containing Middle Bronze Age pottery. A pit providing a date in the early medieval period was located 5m south-east of the structure. Area D was located c. 180m north-east of Area C and measured 80m north-west/south-east by 80m. This area revealed 61 pits, three post-holes, four spreads, four field boundaries, two linear features, three tree boles and one (recorded) plough furrow and contained the majority of archaeological features and artefacts on this site. A pit located towards the eastern end of the area contained 40–50% of a bucket-shaped vessel of Middle Bronze Age date. A line of three stake-holes immediately to its west may have been related. Although no coherent pattern or alignment of features (mainly pits) was apparent, the remaining features in Area D were grouped into a further ten groups of features through proximity. Many of these features revealed a rich assemblage of animal bone, grain and metal waste dating to the early medieval period. Also retrieved were a strap-end that was zoomorphic in design and a hybrid of Irish and Anglo-Saxon influences, a ringed pin, a buckle fragment, a bone pin, a corroded flanged object, possibly a wool-combing, carpentry or leather-working tool, a weaving tool and four whittle-tanged knives.

This activity may be related to two enclosures uncovered through geophysical survey and subsequent non-invasive testing 200m to the south of Area D under licence 09E0193.