What is recorded here

Hearts of fire and pits of slag marked a small workshop in Moyle Big, active from 165 BC to 50 AD. People likely struck hot metal beside those burns, shaping tools or ornaments for nearby lives. A medieval pit nearby held animal bone and a comb, suggesting the same ground kept serving humans long after the first furnaces went cold.

Excavated in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Kilcullen-Waterford Road (Excavation Licence number E2598). Evidence for small scale industrial activity was uncovered in the form of three hearts/ burnt spreads and two furnace pits containing slag. A calibrated radiocarbon date of 165 BC - 50 AD was obtained from charcoal analysis from one of the burnt spreads. Animal bone and a bone comb were recovered from a medieval pit. (Hughs 2009, 47; Doyle 2009) References: Hughs J. (2009) 'Moyle Big Medieval pit and possible metalworking activity' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 47 (195). Bray. Wordwell Doyle T. 2009 N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Archaeological Services Contract No. 4 - Resolution, Prumpelstown to Powerstown. Final Report on archaeological investigations at site E2598, in the townland of Moyle Big, Co. Carlow. Unpublished report, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Cork Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 10 November 2010

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