EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Kildare
Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: N83854067 (283859/240679)
SMR No: N/A
Excavation Licence: 02E1002
Excavation Duration/Year: July – November 2002.
Site Director: F. Walsh (I.A.C.)
This enclosure was first identified by aerial photography in 2001, and was fully excavated the
following year. Excavation revealed two phases of occupation on site. The earlier phase was
defined by an incomplete curvilinear ditch with a U-shaped profile, which survived to a length
of 30m. An incomplete L-shaped ditch with a U-shaped profile associated with this early
phase was interpreted as the boundary of a livestock enclosure. These ditches appear to have
been deliberately in-filled with occupation rubbish, and were cut through by the ditch of the
later occupation phase (Fig. 172).
The main occupation phase was defined by a ‘heart-shaped’ ditch, approx. 200 m long, and
on average 2.5m wide and 1.2m deep. This enclosed an area of 3050 m 2 . Four structures
were excavated in the interior of this enclosure – a circular post-built structure (6m by 5m)
(A); slot-trenches for wattle walls for a sub-rectangular building (9m by 7m) (B); similar
foundations for a circular building (5m in diameter) (C); and a rectangular structure defined
by postholes at the corner (2m by 2.7m) (D). Structure A was interpreted as the main
dwelling - a nearby pit included numbers of charred cereal grains (barley, oat and wheat).
Structure C was interpreted as an outhouse for livestock, and it is suggested that the subrectangular
structures on site may have been influenced by Viking houses.
Industrial activity appears to have been concentrated in specific areas of the interior. These
are indicated by six bowl furnaces, refuse pits including industrial waste (86kg of iron slag),
and a possible cistern, which may have been associated with metalworking.
Slag and hammerscale were recovered from the fill of the structure B, and it is suggested
that this may have been a metalworking workshop; structure D was also interpreted as
metalworking workshop, perhaps roofed, but with only a wall along one side.
Over 9,000 bones from 10 animal species were recovered from site. Cattle were the dominant
species, and along with the other main domesticates (sheep/goats and pigs) made up 89% of
the assemblage. The minimum numbers of individuals was as follows; Cattle: 27;
Sheep/goat: 18; Pig: 14; Horse: 3; Dog: 4. Cat, hare, red deer, rat and avian bones were
also identified. Insect analysis from the possible cistern identified dung beetles (Aphodius
sp.), and beetles that live on decaying vegetable mater, and it has been suggested that these
indicate that livestock was in the enclosure near this pit and that the organic refuse gradually
built-up in the cistern.
Staves and the lid/base of a yew vessel were recovered from waterlogged ditch deposits, as
well as fragments of alder, ash, blackthorn and Scot’s pine. Holly and hazel fragments were
found in the possible cistern. Wood charcoal analysis also identified willow and apple.
The finds from this site included four penannular-ring headed pins; sixteen iron knives; five
glass beads; a (possible) pair of iron shears; and a rotary grindstone.
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