2015:453 - Sites 12, 14, 15 & 16, Temple Wood, Carton Demesne, Kildare

Human remains were uncovered during topsoil stripping for a single residence at Site 14, Temple Wood which, following a report to the Gardaí, were inspected by Dr. Geraldine Stout (NMS). Topsoil had been removed to a depth of 0.4-0.46m across the footprint of the house site and much of the area had been brought down to subsoil or boulder clay. In the south-west corner of the site at least four grave cuts were identified cut into the boulder clay. These ran on an east-west axis concentrated in an area c. 10m square. There were articulated skeletal remains visible in the grave fills. To the north of these graves there was a linear trench probably a drain containing shattered stone. In the immediate area of the cleared site there were numerous dark friable soil patches in the boulder clay which probably indicate further graves.

An on-site meeting was held with NMS at which it was suggested that the burial ground might extend within the summit of the natural rise which takes up over 50% of Plot 14 and runs into No.16 to the south, while there was also potential that it might extend into the plot to the immediate north (Plot 12). In the existing circumstances, it was agreed that a limited programme of testing be undertaken to determine the extent of the burial ground and to determine whether the existing rising ground acts as an enclosing element/limit or whether the remains of a sub-surface enclosure such as a ditch is present.

Testing was carried out in three phases:

1. Four test trenches were excavated by machine to the east (T-1), south (T-2), west (T-3) and north (T-4) of the area in which burial was initially discovered (Cutting 1). The locations of the test trenches and extent of Cutting 1 are illustrated. All the test trenches were 1.9m wide.

2. The bases and sides of the test trenches were then cleaned and investigated by hand, as was Cutting 1.

3. All uncovered features and fragments of human remains were then plotted and photographed. The test-trenches (T-1 to T-4) were excavated in splits of c. 0.05m depths in order to ensure that no damage is caused to any human remains that might be uncovered.

All trenches were 1.9m wide and generally excavated to depths of 0.4 – 0.45m. The investigations were undertaken by the licence holder and osteoarchaeologist Dr. Clare Mullins.

Evidence for a possible enclosing feature/ditch was uncovered in Cutting 1, T-1 and T-2. The evidence suggests that this may have been truncated by a later drain feature. This feature may be associated with the planning of trees in this area of the demesne in the late 18th century, which was associated with paths and tracks. The enclosing feature appears to be 3.8 (T-2) – 4.2m (T-1) in width and its external edges are approximately 26.9m apart (north-south) based on the evidence from T-2 and Cutting 1. The eastern extent of the feature was uncovered at a distance of 19.6m from the western commencement edge of T-1. However, no evidence for the feature was uncovered in T-3, which was positioned outside its northern edge and, consequently its east-west extent remains unknown.

There was total of 14 locations where human bone was uncovered, although initial investigations indicate that some of these locations may be associated with disturbances. Only 9 of these (SK-A, SK-B, SK-C, SK-D, SK-E, SK-F, SK-G: Cutting 1; SK-K and SK-L: T-2) have associated discernible graves. Consequently, it is tentatively suggested that a total of 9 partial graves have been identified, 7 within the footprint of the proposed development in Site 14 (Cutting 1). The southern extent of the cemetery is located within Site 16 to the south but, based on the evidence from T-2, outside the footprint of the proposed development within this site. There is no evidence that the cemetery extends into Site 12.

The lack of association with a church building, grave slabs, pottery, other artefacts or dedicative saints suggest that this is a secular cemetery of early medieval date. Following consultation with NMS it was agreed that an additional trench be excavated in the southern area of the Plot 14 to determine if evidence of the enclosing element might be determined; no evidence for the feature was subsequently encountered. It was also agreed that additional testing be undertaken within Plots 12 and Plots 16 to the immediate west and east of the cemetery area, as well as within Plot 15, across the road and to the south. Nothing of archaeological interest was uncovered during the course of such additional testing.

7 Cnoc na Greine Square, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare