Kiln - corn-drying

The National Monuments Service's description

In 2002 archaeological excavations carried out by Stephen J. Linnane on a housing development site to the north-west of St Ruadhan's Abbey and partially impinging on the outer ditch of the ecclesiastical enclosure. This excavation was carried out under Licence No. 01E1055 (Linnane 2004, 479). Outside the enclosure to the north, excavation revealed, three cereal-drying kilns and a ditch that appeared to be of medieval date. A radiocarbon date range of AD 545-660, which would make it contemporary with the Early Christian monastery (Linnane 2004, 479). Analysis of the grains from the kilns showed a mixture of oat, barley and to a lesser extent, wheat, with frequent weed seeds (Linnane 2004, 479). To the west of the site a circular feature or pit (diam. c. 2m; D c. 1m) that has been interpreted as a well was uncovered, this well had gone out of use by AD 1255-1453 (Linnane 2004, 479).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien.

Date of upload: 22 September 2008

References

Linnane, S. 2004 Lorrha. Early Christian Ecclesiastical. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2002: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 479 (No. 1738). Bray. Wordwell.