Metalworking site

The National Monuments Service's description

In a pasture field overlooked by Tory Hill to the northeast. Excavated in 2006 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme. (Excavation licence no. E2500; Area 9). Two iron smelting furnaces, two associated charcoal kilns and a potential smithing hearth. Samples from three of these features returned radiocarbon dates ranging from 729 cal BC to 51 cal BC. Post-holes, charcoal spreads and other miscellaneous features with earlier dates were excavated in the same area (KK043-088----). (Wren 2009, 253, no. 997; Wren 2010)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 17 September 2013

References

Wren, J. 2009 Ballykillaboy, Prehistoric and early medieval. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 253, no. 997. Bray. Wordwell.

Wren, J. 2010 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Waterford to Knocktopher – Phase 2. Archaeological Resolution, Dunkitt to Sheepstown townlands, Co. Kilkenny. Final report. A032/000, E2500. Sites AR6-9, Ballykeoghan, Co Kilkenny. Unpublished excavation report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.