Ring-ditch in Ballyvoneen

In 2002, archaeological excavation (Licence no. 02E0988) was carried out in advance of the proposed M4 Kinnegad-Enfield-Kilcock motorway development. The site was previously uncovered during centre-line testing (Licence no. 02E0141). A circular enclosure and five pits to its N were recorded. The main feature was a ring-ditch, most of which had been ploughed out, and plough furrows were found across the site. No evidence of a mound or bank was identified. The ditch was 6.4-7m in diameter and 0.3-0.7m wide, being widest in the south-west corner and narrowest in the north-east. There was a sharp break at the top of the cut, with an imperceptible break at the base, giving a U-shaped profile. The ring-ditch was 0.1-0.2m deep and filled with a deposit of mid-orange/brown, loamy clay that had inclusions of small pebbles and occasional charcoal flecks. A number of small pits/post-holes to the north of this feature may be related, and one in particular showed evidence of burnt bone and charcoal. There was no evidence anywhere on the site of in situ burning. (www.excavations.ie) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011