Excavation

In 1997, archaeological monitoring (Licence no. 97E0151) of the mechanical excavation of pipe trench cuttings to accommodate a new 1.5m water main and the laying of gas pipes in Main Street (north and south) and adjoining streets in Naas was carried out. A short 12m stretch at the south-eastern section of North Main Street opposite the Town Hall was found to be largely previously undisturbed ground and was excavated manually. At a depth of 0.36m below street surface there was a stratum (T 0.1-0.2m) of black clay and stones, as well as animal bones, cockle and oyster shells and some red brick fragments. Beneath this layer there was a rough paving of cobble-sized stones above the boulder clay. A portion of the former stone-cobbled street drain close to the footpath to the east was also noted. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011