2010:291 - ROGERSTOWN, Dublin

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping associated with the high-voltage cable – east–west interconnector project (HVC EWIP) uncovered an area defined by oxidised clay flecks of charcoal in a field in Rogerstown townland, to the west of the Dublin–Belfast railway line. Following consultation with the National Monuments Service, it was agreed that the existing licence could be extended to facilitate excavation of the feature.
The feature, which had a maximum length of 3.2m, was aligned south-west/north-east and was irregular in plan. It comprised two pits linked by a narrow linear trench. The pit to the south-west was almost fully oval in plan (1.7m x 1.1m) and was up to 0.7m deep with almost straight oxidised edges and an almost flat base. The north-east pit, which was irregular in plan, had maximum dimensions of 1m x 1m and was up to 0.2m deep, with almost straight edges to an irregular base. These were linked by a linear trench which was up to 0.4m wide on the top and comprised gently sloping sides, with the base sloping up from 0.7m to 0.2m. The upper north-east pit, together with the greater depth of the lower south-west pit and linking trench, comprised a single sandy silty clay fill with occasional fragments of charcoal. However, the basal fill of the lower south-west pit comprised a c. 40–50mm depth of charred wood/charcoal.
The nature of the feature is suggestive of a cereal-drying kiln. Soil samples of the various layers were taken and will be submitted for environmental analysis, following which material will be submitted for 14C dating.