2014:009 - KILCOCK: Commons East, Kildare

Testing was undertaken on the site of a proposed retail development at The Square, Kilcock, Co. Kildare took place over three days in October 2014. The site is in the vicinity of a late medieval church (KD005-002002-) and graveyard (KD005-002004-)

A greenfield area measuring approximately 40m by 4m was stripped of topsoil/overburden by 360 degree mechanical excavator under supervision. A number of layers of fill, measuring up to 2m in depth, were removed. At the base of the fill material was a metalled surface, which proved on excavation to date to the 19th century and may have been associated with a corn mill just north of the site. Four fragments of disarticulated human bone were retrieved from the uppermost layer of overburden (topsoil). These are believed to have been deposited within the site inadvertently, having originated from disturbed burials within the adjacent late medieval burial ground. No inhumations were discovered within the site. Much of the metalled surface remains unexcavated, being preserved in situ at a depth which will not be reached by the proposed development works.

Monitoring of other portions of the site will be undertaken during construction.