2022:791 - Rathnaskilloge, Stradbally, Waterford

A substantially intact beaker vessel, along with other potential archaeological features, were discovered during an extensive programme of archaeological test trenching (licence 22E0305) in the townland of Rathnaskilloge, County Waterford. Due to ground conditions and insubstantial topsoil surface, an extension to the archaeological testing licence was granted to excavate, record and subsequently block lift the ceramic vessel to safety, for conservation and post-excavation analysis. The excavation was limited to a 2.4m x 2.4m study area where additional features were investigated and recorded as part of the block lifting process.

This excavation produced a largely intact and finely decorated late Chalcolithic Beaker vessel, measuring 310mm in height, c. 235mm rim diameter and 96mm base diameter. Soil samples from the fill of the feature containing the beaker vessel were retrieved and processed for radiocarbon dating. The returning results placed this feature in the Chalcolithic period (Cal BC 2341 – 2141 /2 sigma).

Illustration extracted from Dr. Eoin Grogan/Helen Roche pottery analysis

Beaker vessel post conservation and restoration by Susannah Kelly