Metalworking site

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture overlooked by Tory Hill to the northeast and sloping gradually downwards, toward a stream, 200m to the southeast. Excavated in 2006 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Road Improvement Scheme. Excavation license no. E2499, Area 3. The remains of charcoal burning pits, smelting furnaces and some possible smithing hearths. Samples from four pits in this area produced calibrated radiocarbon dates, in the Iron Age, ranging from 350 cal BC to AD 220. A figure-of-eight kiln was found beside the metalworking area. (Wren 2009, 255, no. 1001; Wren 2010)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 18 September 2013

References

Wren, J. 2010 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Waterford to Knocktopher – Phase 2 Archaeological Resolution. Dunkitt to Sheepstown, Co. Kilkenny. Final report. Ministerial Direction: A032/000. Registration Number: E2499 Site AR03-5, Milltown Townland, Co Kilkenny. Unpublished excavation report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.

Wren, J. 2009 Ballynamorahan. Settlement. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 255, no. 1001. Bray. Wordwell.