House - Neolithic

The National Monuments Service's description

A possible Neolithic house (L 5m; Wth 4.5m; oriented E-W) excavated in 2006 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Road Scheme (Licence no. E3014). Shallow slot-trenches at S, E and N were excavated with post-holes making up the W wall enclosing an internal area of c. 22.5m square. A large pit with a post-hole in the base formed the SE corner while a second similar feature was located to the N, external to the structure. Some shallow internal features represented an internal division and an external charcoal-rich hearth was recorded to the E of the external wall. 79 sherds of Early Neolithic carinated bowls from 11 vessels were found as well as a lithic assemblage of 62 pieces suggesting an Early/Middle Neolithic date. Radiocarbon determinations dated the structure to 3710-3530 cal BC (Poz-25475). A series of shallow roasting and refuse pits c. 20m to the N produced a similar series of dates and there were many other pits both within and outside the possible house. A date of 2880-2580 cal BC (Poz-26462) from a large pit at the centre of the site may indicate a later phase of activity. (Monteith 2009, 269-70, no. 1050; Monteith 2010)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 21 October 2013

References

Monteith, J. 2009 Kilkeasy. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 269-70, no. 1050. 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: E3014 Site Name: AR043. Townland: Kilkeasy. Unpublished excavation report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.