Flat cemetery in Rathcrogue

Excavated in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Kilcullen-Waterford Road (Excavation Licence number E2596), three shallow cremation pits were uncovered. The northernmost was circular in plan (max. diam. 0.80m; D 0.24m) and contained two fills the lower of which had a large concentration of burnt bone. A second cremation pit was located 3.5m to the SE, it was circular in plan (max diam. 0.62m; D 0.29m), and contained two fills the lower of which again contained high concentrations of burnt bone. The third pit was located 9.5m to the SE of the second. It was sub-circular in shape (max diam. 0.71m; D 0.14m) and contained small fragments of burnt bone. Late Bronze Age dates were obtained from radiocarbon analysis of the bone from the deeper two pits. A large oval pit (L 2.1m; Wth 1.61m; D 0.48m) with possible stake-holes around the edge was discovered 7m to the SW of the first pit. This was originally interpreted as a charcoal production pit (Hughs 2009; 46) (see CW007-114----) but during post excavation analysis it was re-interpreted as the possible remains of a pyre. (Doyle, T. 2009 6, 10-11) References: Hughs J. (2009) 'Moyle Big Two pits, furrows, linear feature' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 46 (193). 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 E2596, in the townland of Rathcrogue, Co. Carlow. Unpublished report, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Cork Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 10 November 2010