What is recorded here

Nine metres of black clay and burnt sandstone still mark the western edge of Ballyvareen, where water was heated and food or bodies were transformed. The site is not a grand palace but a kitchen of depth, its stones recording repeated fire and human urgency. Even a narrow furrow cutting through it suggests the place remained alive long after the first heat faded.

Excavated by Mary Henry (06E1100 ext.) who described it a 'located on the western side of the site. This feature mainly comprised a burnt spread measuring 9.1m north–south by 7.5m and a depth of 0.19m. It consisted an irregular spread of black sandy clay with frequent small pieces of burnt sandstone. A sondage was opened in the western part of the feature, where it was cut by a furrow. The furrow had an exposed length of 2m by 0.47m wide and 0.09m deep. It was filled with a dark-brown silty clay with occasional gravels.' This description is posted on the web at the following internet address (accessed 3 August 2012): http://www.excavations.ie/ Compiled by: Denis Power Date of Upload: 3 August 2012

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