2020:431 - Ballyburn Quarry, Ballyburn Upper, Kildare

A programme of archaeological monitoring was undertaken during February 2020 to assess the archaeological potential of an area subject to topsoil stripping within Ballyburn Quarry, in Ballyburn Upper townland, Co. Kildare. A number of features with archaeological potential were identified, and isolated from activities at the quarry.

Full excavation was carried out between 29 July and 17 August 2020. The excavation uncovered what appears to be activity of prehistoric date, comprising pits, post-holes, ditches and a spread, with later plough furrows and modern or non-archaeological features.

The excavation area consisted of isolated features as well as clusters of varying form and complexity, with discernible stratigraphy within the clusters but no apparent stratigraphic relationship across the site. The earliest features consisted of pits and post-holes, cut and re-cut into the natural subsoil, a very light pale brown sandy clay below topsoil and an orange-brown sandy clay subsoil. Subsoil was present across much of the excavated area, particularly visible to the north-east half. Many of the fills of the early features produced evidence of burning and some potential lithics. In places, these features were cut by agricultural furrows and other later features. Some features were identified as modern due to their form and the nature of their fills, rather than any stratigraphic relationship.

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