Metalworking site

The National Monuments Service's description

Excavated in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Kilcullen-Waterford Road (Excavation Licence number E2597). A number of pits were uncovered, spread over a large area, some of which contained charcoal and slag and some displayed evidence for in situ burning. Four were interpreted as furnace pits, one of which contained cremated human remains (see CW007-144----). A calibrated radiocarbon date of 252-397 AD was returned from hazel charcoal from one of the burnt pits. A pit containing 80 worked stone artefacts dating to the Neolithic was discovered immediately to the E (see CW007-143----). (Hughs 2009, 46-7; Doyle 2009, 7-9)

References:

Hughs J. (2009) 'Moyle Big Possible bowl furnaces' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 46-7 (194). Bray. Wordwell

Doyle T. 2009 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Archaeological Services Contract No. 4 - Resolution, Prumpelstown to Powerstown. Final Report on archaeological investigations at site E2597, in the townland of Moyle Big, Co. Carlow. Unpublished report, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Cork

Compiled by: Claire Breen

Date of upload: 10 November 2010