2013:180 - FARNOGE WEST (Site 25-1), Kilkenny
County: Kilkenny
Site name: FARNOGE WEST (Site 25-1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a
Licence number: 13E0132
Author: Colm Flynn, TVAS (Ireland) Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 660293m, N 623069m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.355885, -7.114889
Site 25-1, Farnoge West was discovered during monitoring of topsoil stripping for the Bord Gáis Networks Gas to Great Island scheme (12E0356).
The excavation has revealed a burnt stone spread, two troughs, a pit, three post-holes, seven stake-holes and a patch of heat-oxidised subsoil. One of the troughs and the stone spread continue outside the excavated area to the east.
The troughs were both sub-rectangular in plan with vertical sides and flat bases and neither had any surviving lining. The troughs measured 2.8m by 1.8m by 0.55m deep and at least 2.1m by 2m by 0.2m deep. Willow charcoal from the primary fill of one of the troughs was radiocarbon dated to 795-544 cal. BC (2526±28 BP; UBA-25932; 2 sigma), placing the feature in the Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age. Another rectangular shallow pit was recorded nearby. At the end of the dated trough was a cluster of post- and stake-holes that might represent the location of a screen or windbreak.
The overlying burnt stone spread measured 15.28m by 12.08m within the excavated area and was 0.3m thick.