EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Kilkenny
‘Leggetsrath’ (Blanchfieldsland td.), Co. Kilkenny
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.
Grid Ref: S52385596 (252377/155958)
SMR No: N/A.
Excavation Licence: 04E0659; 04E0661
Excavation Duration/Year: May 2004.
Site Directors: A.M. Lennon (Archaeological Consultancy Services)
Large scale topsoil stripping was conducted under archaeological supervision prior to road
works. In this process an enclosure defined by concentric ditches was uncovered (Fig. 179).
The inner ditch enclosed an area of 34m by 32m, with a 3m wide entrance to the northeast.
Slot trenches were found either side of the entrance in the inner ditch, and it is possible that
these held upright timbers which were then removed or rotted in situ. These timbers may
have acted as a defensive feature, or to retain the earthen bank. A possible palisade trench
may also have existed on the east side of the site. The ditch was broadly U-shaped in profile,
ranging in width from 1.1m -1.7m, and in depth from 0.8m-1.1m. On the western side the
ditch was V-shaped and measured 2.3m wide and 1.4m deep. The ditch appears to have
been in-filled over a short time period since there was no formation of silt layers between the
fill deposits.
Animal bone was recovered from the ditch fills, and a radiocarbon date of A.D. 569-809 was
obtained (see below). Two sherds of late Roman Amphora (Bii) pottery, dating from the late
fifth-mid sixth centuries, were recovered from the middle of the ditch; the excavator suggests
that the inner ditch had gone out of use by the seventh/eighth century.
The outer ditch measured 54m in diameter, although it was missing on the northern side. The
east section was U-shaped in profile, measuring 1.5m wide and 1m deep. A re-cut section of
the ditch has a V-shaped profile and measures 5m wide and 2.3m deep. Unlike the inner
ditch, the outer ditch appears to have in-filled slowly, with layers of silts and fine gravels
making up the bulk of the fill. A rudimentary stone revetment was uncovered on the outer
edge of the southeast part of the ditch.
Animal bone was also recovered from this ditch, and a radiocarbon date of A.D. 689-983 was
recovered from a fill of the re-cut ditch (see below). The upper ditch fill disclosed a number
of metal objects (two iron blades, iron rod and copper alloy rod) and sherds of Saintonge
pottery.
A portion of a third curving ditch which respected the enclosure was also discovered further
down slope. Several shallow linear ditches ran off this feature, and it is suggested that these
may represent early field boundaries. A blue-glass bead recovered from one of these would
place these in the early medieval period. Two corn-drying kilns were later superimposed over
these boundaries, but may also belong to the early medieval period.
The only feature excavated in the centre of the enclosure was an enigmatic pit (3m long by
1.2m deep). Two postholes were cut into the north and southwest corners of the pit, and it is
possible that these originally supported a roof; four courses of rudimentary stonework were
uncovered in the northern face of the pit. Environmental remains included pig bone, fish bone
(trout, eel and salmon) and small bird bone. A bone comb, a gaming piece and a perforated
stone were also recovered from this pit, while an iron blade was found in the upper fill.
Another shallow pit was cut into the upper fills of the large pit. Bones of sheep, bird and fish
were recovered from this pit, as well as grains of barley and wheat, and pieces of iron slag.
There was no evidence of an enclosing bank. The excavator suggests that the ditches are
contemporary, but also raises the possibility that the outer ditch represents an expansion of
the site.
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