House - early medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

In 2002, archaeological excavation (Licence no. 02E1002) of an early medieval enclosure (KD004-039----) was undertaken as part of the M4 Kinnegad-Enfield-Kilcock Motorway Scheme. The interior of the site produced evidence of three structures (KD004-039001-, KD004-039002- and KD004-039003-) and a metalworking site (KD004-039004-). Structure B (KD004-039001-) was a large sub rectangular house structure measuring 8.5m east-west by 6m. This was defined by an irregular slot-trench with a maximum width of 0.5m and maximum depth of 0.29m. Finds from the fills of the slot included butchered bone and a whetstone. A small pit that cut the north-west corner of this structure contained two blue glass beads. An entrance was identified at the south-east corner of the structure that may have been protected from northern winds by a windbreak or an annexe defined by a curvilinear slot-trench oriented east-west from the entrance feature. Three regularly spaced stone-packed post-holes situated just off-centre to the structure may have held roof supports, and a hearth was represented by a shallow area of burnt clay, again just off-centre to the structure. (www.excavations.ie)

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 10 June 2011