Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

This monument was excavated (Licence no. 05E0414ext) within Killeen Castle Demesne in advance of development. This enclosure was part of a multi-period activity extending from Killeen Castle (ME038-012----) and surrounding Killen church (ME038-013----) and graveyard, an area c.120m x 200m. The earliest phase of this activity consists of a double-ditched enclosure surrounding the extant 15th century church. The inner enclosure ditch (max. 3.3m diam.) was exposed for 67m to the east and north of the extant church. It was truncated by the insertion of later medieval activity. A radiocarbon date of AD 660-810 was recovered from the ditch fill as was a type E whittle and tang knife. Located c.12m from the inner enclosure the outer ditch encompassed an area 110m diameter. It was exposed for 130m varying from 1.7-4m in width and from 1-2m in depth). An entrance (4m w.) was identified to the NE. At least six construction/backfill events were identified. Radiocarbon analysis provided a date range of AD 430-640 for the SE segment and AD 770-980 for the W. Two cereal drying kilns were located in the space between the inner and outer enclosures. A stone lined keyhole kiln was dated to AD 690-900 while a stone lined comma-shaped kiln was dated to AD 970-1060. Traditionally this was the site of an early church (Baker 2009, 60).

Compiled by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 22 February 2015

References

Baker, C. 2009 The Archaeology of Killeen Castle, Co. Meath. Wordwell Ltd. Bray.