2022:457 - Crucietown 1, N51 Dunmoe Phase II, Meath

An archaeological excavation took place at Cruicetown 1, N51 Dunmoe Phase II, Co. Meath as a result of a previous programme of test trenching during which an area of archaeological significance was discovered. The excavation was carried out on 19 November 2020.

Excavations revealed the remains of a north–south aligned cereal-drying keyhole-shaped kiln (C3), located in the centre of the site. The fills indicated two phases of use. The first phase was represented by the slightly oxidised natural subsoil on the base and sides of the bowl and a 0.03m-deep charcoal-rich basal fill (C8) that was confined to the bowl. This primary charcoal deposit (C8) was sealed by a compact 0.04m-deep redeposited subsoil (C7) which was slightly oxidised and also confined to the bowl. This may represent the original collapsed clay roof of the bowl that was reused as the base of the bowl for the second phase of use.
The remains of the second and last phase consisted of a charcoal-rich sandy silt (C6) with ash and oxidised clay inclusions that was contained within the bowl and the flue of the kiln. The top silty fills of the flue (C4) and the bowl (C5) contained occasional charcoal flecking and stone inclusions and may represent the collapsed roof of the kiln or simply the backfilling of the kiln after it went out of use.

No evidence of a drying platform or superstructure, which is known to have existed in many keyhole-shaped kilns, was identified in the kiln. The base of the bowl was oxidised, suggesting that burning had taken place within it. A fire in the bowl would not have been the result of the cereal-drying process. The short length of the flue (0.8m) could have been the cause of an accidental fire.

The kiln at Cruicetown 1 appears to be an isolated feature and does not seem to be related to a structure or occupation.

c/o IAC Archaeology Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow