Kiln in Balgatheran

Discovered prior to road construction (Excavation Licence No. 00E0477). An area measuring c. 4800sq m was excavated (Chapple 2002, 210-12). A variety of different structures and phases of activity were identified. Two large boundary ditches (LH021-065001- and LH021-065002-), an industrial site (LH021-065003-), a hut site (LH021-065004-) and a kiln (LH021-065005-) date to the Early Christian period. Three structures (LH021-065006-, LH021-065007- and LH021-065008-) date to the Medieval period. This kiln (LH021-065005-) was located at N edge of the complex. It was keyhole in shape, with a short linear opening to the W. Its base and part of the walls were lined with flat stones. Carbonised grain recovered from the fill would suggest it may have functioned as a corn drying kiln. The only diagnostic find was a blue glass bead. (Chapple 2002, 211-2) Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 20 July 2012