Kiln

Testing was carried out by Ellen O’Carroll of Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd under licence No. E2681 as part of an archaeological mitigation programme associated with the N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone dual carriageway. The site was identified during testing undertaken by Yvonne Whitty of IAC Ltd in August 2005 (A016/029). The site was excavated in February 2006. An excavation area measuring 30m by 30m was opened. The site was divided into two areas (Areas A and B). Area A contained a small number of shallow burnt spreads and a possible water channel. The water channel was 9m long, a maximum of 3m wide and 0.2m deep. Area B contained a possible cereal-drying kiln and a hearth. The kiln was 1.41m long, 1m wide and 0.18m deep. The primary fill of this kiln was a charcoal deposit. The hearth was 1m in diameter and 0.13m deep and also contained a primary charcoal deposit (Bennett 2010, 573). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 10 November 2011