Excavation

Topsoil-stripping on Bord Gáis Éireann's Pipeline to the West uncovered a small site in Ballynakill townland, Co. Limerick. This was excavated by Brian Halpin (02E0525) who found 'pits and two small linear features covered by a thin spread of charcoal-rich material. The site measured 10.8m east-west by 7.8m and lay in an area of yellow/brown boulder-clay subsoil. The main foci were two linear features. They were shallow ditches with gently sloping walls and flat bases. The first measured 5.8m east-west and had a maximum depth of 0.3m. The second was roughly the same shape but smaller, measuring 3.3m east-west with a maximum depth of 0.45m. This feature cut the first at a 30? angle. A series of pits was situated up to 4.4m north and north-west of the linear features. Most were shallow, the largest having a diameter of 0.5m. They may have been storage pits. The fill of the first was a dark silty clay with moderate amounts of charcoal flecking. It was undisturbed at its base and was truncated by a later feature that contained a mid-brown silty sand fill that generally contained much less charcoal and was possibly redeposited subsoil. The two linear features were deliberately cut into the subsoil, although their purpose remains unclear. The first cut had probably exhausted its function, and a second feature had been haphazardly cut into it. Other than a possible chert flake, no datable evidence or finds were recovered from this site.' The above description is posted on the web at the following internet address: http://www.excavations.ie/ (accessed 22 August 2012). Compiled by: Denis Power Date of upload: 22 August 2012