Kiln

The National Monuments Service's description

On an elevated NE-facing slope in pasture. Excavated in 2010 in advance of the N9/N10 Waterford to Powerstown Road Improvement scheme (Licence no. 3015). A circular pit (L 1.78m; Wth 1.53m; D 0.31m) with a linear, flue-type cut (L 2.61m; Wth 0.62m; D 0.21m) extending from it at N. The pit had an oxidised base and may have functioned as a cereal-drying kiln although the absence of charred grain suggests a simple hearth or charcoal production pit. Radiocarbon dating of charred oak bark returned a date of 1216-1268 cal AD (UBA-14005). Three additional pits were recorded c. 5m to the S and may represent contemporary activity. (Monteith 2009, 270-71, no. 1051; Monteith 2010)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 21 October 2013

References

Monteith, J. 2009 AR044, Kilkeasy. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 270-71, no. 1051. Bray. Wordwell.

Monteith, J. 2010 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Waterford to Knocktopher – Phase 2. Dunkitt to Knocktopher townlands, Co. Kilkenny. Archaeological Resolution. Final report. Scheme Reference Number: A032/000. Excavation Registration Number: E3015 Site Name: AR044. Townland: Coolmore. Unpublished excavation report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.