House - Neolithic

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1997 and 1998, three Neolithic houses (KD023-114001-, KD023-114002- and KD023-114003-) were discovered and archaeologically excavated in advance of the proposed extension of a large sand and gravel pit. In 2001, further archaeological investigation resulted in the discovery and excavation (Tobin 2001; excavation Licence No. 01E0299) of three more Neolithic houses (KD023-116001-, KD023-116002- and KD023-116003-) c. 100m to the S.
‘House 4’ (designated KD023-116001-) was a rectangular structure, (10m E-W; 7m N-S) with an entrance feature in the SW corner. The eastern wall trench showed evidence of at least three distinct phases of activity. A deep foundation trench with the burnt remains of upright oak planks forming the wall structure represented the earliest phase. Central to this wall structure were the remains of a fire-pit/hearth, which was located within the wall and appeared to be contemporary with it. Further remains of the oak planking were noted in the primary deposits in the wall trenches on the north and south wall slots. Parts of this structure may have been damaged by fire. The next phase of activity saw the damaged parts of the house being replaced by more flimsy structural panels. These panels may have been raised in situ or prefabricated and placed in parts of the foundation trench recut to accept them. The fire/hearth pits on the eastern wall appear to have been a constant throughout the life of the house. The only internal features seemed to be the remains of an internal partition. A lazy-bed truncated the west wall of the structure and little evidence of this wall remains. Artefacts recovered included quantities of Neolithic pottery, struck flint flakes and flint débitage. A polished stone axe was recovered from the primary deposits on the eastern foundation trench. A variety of flint scrapers were also recovered from this material. The highest density of environmental material also came from this area, including seeds, chaff and some hazelnut shells. This material should facilitate the recovery of radiocarbon dates. Dates for the structure are not yet available, but pottery analysis indicates that the house dates from the fourth millennium BC and is possibly contemporary with the other Corbally houses.
‘House 5’ (designated KD023-116002-) was also rectangular (7m N-S; 5m E-W. The form of the house was clearly defined by well-preserved foundation trenches and there was a possible doorway at SE. The W foundation trench showed extensive evidence for burning, which preserved the stumps of upright oak planking that formed this wall. The remainder of the foundation trenches presented evidence of planking but mainly in the form of impressions. The interior had a hearth, which was cut by a lazy-bed/drain that crossed the site from the west. There was also evidence for two internal partitions originating from the W foundation trench and extending inwards. Four internal post-holes and corresponding post-holes in the north and south foundation trenches verified the alignment of the structure while also giving an insight into the formation of the roof structure. Few artefacts were recovered from but were similar to finds from House 4 and included a very fine chert arrowhead. The pottery assemblage was almost non-existent.
The evidence for House 6 (designated KD023-116003-) was not conclusive. Pre-excavation, structural features appeared rectangular in plan, but became less defined during excavation. In general, the features were structural but may not all have been part of a single structure as in a house. The features may have defined structures relating to activities associated with House 5. They showed evidence of truncation and had been seriously damaged by a drain/lazy-bed that crossed the site from the south-west. Post-excavation work on House 6 has just commenced, with preliminary results available from the environmental sampling. This shows a high density of seeds and chaff, with the predominant species being wheat.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 20 December 2012

References

Tobin R. 2001 Archaeological Interim Report, Field 4, Corbally, Co. Kildare. M. Gowan & Co. Ltd. Unpublished report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.