What is recorded here

Melted butter and bright flame still mark the charcoal pits of Rathcrogue, where wood was smoked into black fuel beside a quiet cemetery. The work dates to AD 996-1159, when heat and patience turned ordinary trees into something that could carry fire through rain.

Excavated in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Kilcullen-Waterford Road (Excavation Licence number E2596), two charcoal-production pits, two post-holes associated with one of the charcoal pits and a burnt spread were uncovered. Radiocarbon analysis of charcoal from one of the pits produced a calibrated date of AD 996 - 1159. Discovered in association with a flat cemetery (see CW007-142----). (Hughs 2009, 46; Doyle, 2009; 7) References: Hughs J. (2009) 'Moyle Big Two pits, furrows, linear feature' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 46 (193). Bray. Wordwell Doyle T. 2009 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Archaeological Services Contract No. 4 - Resolution, Prumpelstown to Powerstown. Final Report on archaeological investigations at site E2596, in the townland of Rathcrogue, Co. Carlow. Unpublished report, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Cork Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 10 November 2010

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