부산대학교 도서관

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd (IAC), funded by the National Roads Authority (NRA) through Kilkenny County Council, undertook an excavation at the site of AR087, Danesfort 10 along the proposed N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme, Phase 4 ? Knocktopher to Powerstown (Figure 1). The following report describes the results of archaeological excavation at that site. The area was fully excavated by Richard Jennings under Ministerial Direction A032 and Excavation Registration Number E3459 issued by the DOEHLG in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland for IAC. The fieldwork took place between 28 May and 27 June 2007. Four probable cereal-drying kilns were discovered in the vicinity of a 10m2 pond. The pond was 2m deep and although silted up was possibly open in prehistory as a small patch of burnt stone was discovered near its base. The kilns all showed evidence of intense burning in situ, and were either circular or oval in plan. Two postholes were found near the kilns but their precise function is uncertain. A phase of probable post-medieval activity was recorded at the site in the form of an approximately linear field ditch (90m long) with a stone retaining wall cut into the lower part of its fill. It is not shown on the 1st edition OS Map but is of a similar construction and alignment to a nearby field boundary. A sample of charred Barley seed from kiln fill C12 was sent for radiocarbon dating and returned a 2 sigma calibrated date of 184BC?AD56 (UBA 15559). The site consisted of Iron Age cereal-drying kilns which represent the first evidence of Iron Age activity in the immediate area. The site is important locally as in conjunction with similar evidence from Danesfort 5, 1km away, could indicate that a larger permanent settlement site/farmstead dating to the Iron Age was located nearby.