County: Kildare Site name: Prusselstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 18E0639
Author: Seán Shanahan & Edel Barry, Shanarc Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 669391m, N 695546m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.006124, -6.966083
A total of 16 test trenches were excavated at Prusselstown Green, Prusselstown, Athy, Co. Kildare in accordance with the requirements of Kildare County Council planning reference PL. Ref. 18/718; relating to the proposed construction of a residential development.
The excavated trenches were 2m wide, 0.3-0.5m in depth and varied in length from 6-85m.
With the exception of the northern corner of the site, where the ground consisted of modern infill from previous developments, the stratigraphy across the site was relatively uniform. A layer of topsoil 0.25m in depth and comprising soft mid-brown clayey silt with moderate small stones sealed the natural subsoil comprising a mottled grey/orange clayey silt with frequent small sub-rounded stones and areas of coarse gravel. The subsoil became generally more orange-brown towards the south-east of the site.
A spread of burnt stone and charcoal-rich material was uncovered towards the south-eastern end of Trench 6. The deposit appeared shallow in depth but there were regular cut features, pits and possibly a ditch that contained concentrated fills with this material. Four additional short trenches were opened in this area around Trenches 6 and 7 to determine the extent of the burnt spread; an approximate 20m diameter was calculated for the burnt spread.
A number of modern drainage cuts and pipes were uncovered in Trenches 5, 8 and 9. A small pit interpreted as a probable stone socket was uncovered at the eastern side of Trench 8. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded in the remaining trenches.
Unit 39a, Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny
