2023:775 - Kilmalum, Blessington, Kildare

Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of two days from 29 May 2023 at Kilmalum, Blessington, County Kildare. It follows on from recommendations made within an archaeological assessment for the site and from a geophysical survey carried out in 2022. The survey identified field divisions, numerous traces of agricultural cultivation and possible large pit-type features comprising burnt material.

Testing was undertaken using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. A total of 18 trenches were mechanically investigated across the test area, which measured 654 linear metres in total. The trenches targeted geophysical anomalies and open green space to fully investigate the archaeological potential of the site. Topsoil was uniform across the site comprising a friable mid-brown sandy clay, with some gravel inclusions in Field 3. The topsoil varied in depth from 0.2–0.45m. Subsoil across test area was a mid-orange sandy clay, with frequent bands of gravel and sand pockets throughout.

It was confirmed that the site has been heavily impacted upon by previous agricultural activities in the form of numerous furrows crossing the excavated test trenches. Evidence of a disused gravel pit was also identified on the site adjacent to the test area, showing previous gravel extraction. No features or finds of archaeological significance were identified during the course of archaeological test-trenching.