2013:531 - Kilpaddoge, Kerry

Monitoring and excavation were carried out at Kilpaddoge townland, Co. Kerry, in advance of underground cable ducting and associated works relating to an ESB substation. Monitoring was undertaken from 9 September 2013 to 27 May 2014 This phase of work ultimately uncovered nine separate archaeological sites across 3295 linear metres (excavated under licenses 13E0350; 13E0465; 14E0039; 14E0233; 14E0234; 14E0240 and 14E0241). Excavation of Sites 1 and 2 was conducted under this license. Furthermore, Site 5 was ultimately preserved in situ and so only a survey of this site was carried out.

The initial site excavation was that of an isolated charcoal pit at ITM 505685, 648387. This measured 2.5m in length by 1.24m in width and survived to a maximum depth of 0.23m. A second charcoal pit was found 30m to the south-east (excavated under license 14E0240). Subsequent analysis has shown that the charcoal is that of oak.

Site 2 was located at ITM 505431, 648288 and measured 18.7m north-south by 9m.  The southern half of the area was dominated by a key-hole shaped corn-drying kiln. This was aligned east-west and consisted of a sub-circular chamber area at west, measuring 1.9m x 1.8m, that extended along a rising, narrower flue, to a circular mouth. This was a total length of 5.65m and had been truncated, particularly at the western end. The central area, between the flue and the chamber was also the widest point of the cut, 2.54m, from which it narrowed to just before the mouth to 0.72m. The cut of the chamber only survived to a depth of 0.16m and the base sloped up to the mouth. Two large post-holes were identified at either side of the central ‘neck’. The flue was originally lined with stones which continued from the mouth up to the chamber. Where side stones had been removed in a later phase, the sockets of these stones were evident. At the ‘neck’ the sides were formed by angular slabs, set upright, defining a gap 0.57m in width. It appeared that the chamber may have been stone-lined but that later alterations removed much of this material. A small section of masonry was found at the flue mouth. This was composed of two courses of small flagstones laid along the top of the northern edge of the circular stoking-pit and may have been the final act of construction of the first phase. Within the chamber, the base had been heated and mottled ashy lenses with charcoal flecks had accumulated. No charred grains were noticed during excavation, however a minuscule piece of cremated bone was found in this material.

The start of the second phase of use was represented by a shallow sub-circular pit, 1.8m x 1.68m, truncating the western edge of the former chamber. It appeared to have been back-filled immediately. An attempt was made to re-line the northern edge of the original chamber, consisting of loose stones up to three courses. This irregular chamber measured 1.16m east-west by 1.13m.  The re-cut flue was 3.4m in length and between 0.35m and 0.4m in width. The stones were rearranged to create a narrow flue through to the chamber on the northern side of the ‘neck’. Just 0.64m in length, it allowed for a flue 0.22m in width and 0.15m in height at this point. The fills of the second phase of use were a variety of mottled reddish brown silts with frequent flecks of charcoal and scorched clay. Within the flue deposits, minute amounts of burnt bone were again noted. The kiln was subsequently abandoned and infilled naturally. The only find from the kiln came from these later fills and was an unused lead musket ball (13E350:26:1).

Although truncated by a modern drain to the south, rake-out material from the kiln was identified 1.5m to the south-east. This measured 1.7m x 1.5m and a maximum 0.08m in thickness. The rake-out material preserved an old topsoil horizon beneath it, in which a perforated hone stone was found within it (Find No. 13E350:84:1). Furthermore, five stake-holes were found beneath this layer and were aligned east-north-east/west-south-west. A second line of stake-holes was identified 1.2m north of the kiln made up of five stake-holes arcing from south-south-east to north. A more irregular cluster of stake-holes was found 1.6m north-east of the kiln mouth, roughly aligned east-west. Stake-holes were confined to this southern area, surrounding the flue and mouth of the kiln.

 A total of 15 cut features were excavated at the northern end and appeared to form no distinct pattern. A large pit, 2.3m x 0.8m, was orientated south-east/north-west and filled with grey clay and brown gravely clay. Four cut features on the eastern side of the area formed a roughly north-south alignment but these were not deep and all contained sterile fills. The central area, between the large pit and the eastern line, found 10 cut features.  Again they tended to be shallow and the fills appeared sterile. Only two of these features had significant depths. In short, these features represent a corn-drying kiln, perhaps cordoned-off at the eastern end (in Phase I) by a series of stake-holes. Abandoned, the kiln was subsequently re-opened for a second phase of use. The minute amounts of burnt bone within the kiln deposits might indicate its use as a smokehouse in addition to grain drying. The pits and post-holes, 6m further downslope, may not be contemporary with the kiln but do highlight further activity at a suitable working distance from the kiln.

Site 5 was identified along a 7.5m wide L-shaped access corridor, located at ITM 505475, 648083. This uncovered a series of archaeological features, the principle of which appears to be a levelled stone cairn. An alternative route was decided upon. While not completely within the trench, the stone cairn measures approximately 9m north-south, while 5.63m east-west was exposed. This reaches a maximum height of 0.25m. The edges of the cairn have collapsed to the south and west. Nevertheless, the whole suggests that this is a circular cairn, composed of large sub-angular rubble sandstones with possible kerbstones along the northern edge. Three features were identified to the north of the cairn material, two of these are possible post-holes and a possible oval deposit. South of the cairn material two features were identified – a small shallow circular pit and an oval deposit. To the west, a further six features were identified. These included two small sub-circular pits, a large sub-rectangular pit, and irregular deposits.  Site 5 seems to represent a small circular stone cairn with possible pits and post-holes surrounding it.

Munster Archaeology, Butlerstown, Bandon, Co. Cork