Brusk Early Modern Brick Kilns

Date: May 2007
Client: Galway County Council
Project code: NGB05

N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2.
Final Report on archaeological investigations at Site E2063,
modern brick kilns at Brusk, Co. Galway

By: Brendon Wilkins & Amy Bunce with a contribution by Auli Tourenen
Ministerial Direction no.: A024/24
Excavation no.: E2063
Director: Brendon Wilkins
Chainage: 20900‐21150
NGR: 154875/224784

Headland Archaeology Ltd. N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Contract 2. E2063 Final Report
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CONTENTS PAGE

1 Summary 3

2 Introduction 3

3 Site description and location 4

4 Aims and methodology 4

5 Results 4
Kiln 1 5
Kiln 2 7
Kiln 3 7

6 Discussion 8

7 Archive 10

8 References 10

List of Figures

Figure 1 E2063 Location of excavation area
Figure 2 E2063 Location of excavation area and RMP extract
Figure 3 E2063 Topographic Survey
Figure 4 Plan of Kiln 1 & 3
Figure 5 Plan of Kiln 2
Figure 6 East‐facing sections of Kiln 1
Figure 7 South‐ and east‐facing sections of Kiln 3

List of Plates

Plate 1 Pre‐excavation of Kiln 1, north‐facing
Plate 2 North‐facing elevation of bricks in Kiln 1
Plate 3 Bricks in south‐east corner of Kiln 1, north‐west facing
Plate 4 Post‐excavation of south end of Kiln 1, south‐west facing
Plate 5 South‐east facing section of north‐east corner of Kiln 1
Plate 6 Post‐excavation of Kiln 1, north‐facing
Plate 7 Mid‐excavation of Kiln 2, north‐facing
Plate 8 Mid‐excavation of north end of Kiln 2, north‐west facing
Plate 9 Post‐excavation of south end of Kiln 2, north‐west facing
Plate 10 Bricks at north‐west end of Kiln 2, south‐west facing
Plate 11 Post‐excavation of east side of Kiln 3, south‐east facing
Plate 12 Post‐excavation of west side of Kiln 3, south‐east facing

Appendices
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Appendix 1 Context register
Appendix 2 Finds register
Appendix 3 Sample register
Appendix 4 Photograph register
Appendix 5 Drawing register
Appendix 6 Site matrix
Appendix 7 Faunal remains report
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1 Summary

This report presents the results of archaeological investigations carried out on behalf of
Galway County Council prior to the commencement of construction on the N6 Galway to
Ballinasloe Scheme. The work was undertaken under Ministerial Direction number A024/24,
registration number E2063, in the townland of Brusk, Co. Galway. The Minister for the
Environment, Heritage & Local Government, following consultation with the National
Museum of Ireland, directed that Brendon Wilkins of Headland Archaeology Ltd should
proceed with Phase II Excavation.

Contract 2 pre‐construction testing on this site in 2005 was alerted to the possible high
archaeological potential of the location by an archaeological geophysical survey carried out
(ArchaeoPhysica 2004). Testing was able to confirm the presence of three brick kilns, a
potential well and an area of in situ burning.

Full archaeological excavation was conducted on this site during May 2006. The three brick
kilns were exposed, excavated and identified as clamp kilns, single‐use structures often
constructed close to both the raw material and the building for which they were intended.
The clamp kilns may reflect relatively small‐scale use of the site. It is suggested that the kilns
were not fired on the same occasion owing to a development in the construction techniques
observable between the three kilns. Other potential features, including the possible well and
the in‐situ burning were investigated and found to be a natural feature and the result of recent
field clearance activity respectively.

2 Introduction

Works are being carried out along the route of the proposed N6 Galway to East of Ballinasloe
national road scheme, between the townlands of Doughiska in County Galway and Beagh in
County Roscommon. The proposed road will consist of approximately 56 km of dual
carriageway, a 7km link road from Carrowkeel to Loughrea and approximately 23km of side
roads. There will be four grade‐separated junctions, 36 bridges and a toll plaza located at
Cappataggle.

The area of proposed archaeological investigation was divided into four contracts, based on
four sectors of approximately equal extent. The work described here was undertaken under
Archaeological Investigations Contract 2. This covered a stretch of road development of
approximately 13.2km of dual carriageway and 7km of single carriageway, and passed to the
south of Athenry and Kiltullagh in a generally east/west direction. The project was funded by
the Irish Government and the European Union under the National Development Plan 2000–
2006. Headland Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Galway County Council to undertake
the works. Arch Consultancy undertook an archaeological survey as part of an
Environmental Impact Survey of the route compiled by RPS‐MCOS Engineering in 2005. The
kilns were not identified by Arch Consultancy although there were upstanding remains to be
seen. An aerial survey was also undertaken, as was a geophysical survey (Archaeophysica
2004). Archaeological test excavations were carried out by M. Jones (03E1874, Galway County
Council, National Roads Design Office). On the basis of findings from this work Contract 2
Investigations commenced in September 2005.

3
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3 Site description and location

The site was within the townland of Brusk, approximately 4.5km south‐east of Athenry. It
was located at NGR 154875/224784 and between chainage 20900–21150. It was situated in
relatively flat, low lying pasture land bordered on all four sides by limestone drystone walls
and bounded to the south by the main Athenry to Kiltullagh road. The site was poorly
drained and adjacent to an active watercourse prone to flooding. The unmodified natural
subsoil was a glacially derived till composed of fine clay with gravel inclusions, which would
have provided an excellent raw material for industrial brick manufacture.

4 Aims and methodology

The objective of the work was the preservation by record of any archaeological features or
deposits in advance of the proposed road construction.

Four excavation areas were opened under direct archaeological supervision, and the presence
of three kilns confirmed. The areas were stripped by machine at which point the kilns were
clearly identified as red square features bordered by burnt soil and surrounded by a bank of
redeposited natural material. The kilns were numbered 1, 2 & 3 in order of excavation. All
three kilns were numbered with the same context numbers, as their composition was
extremely similar. The only difference between the kilns was in the layout of the bricks and
benches.

The resulting surface was cleaned and all potential features investigated by hand.
Archaeological contexts were recorded by photograph and on standardised recording sheets.
Plans and sections were drawn at an appropriate scale. Ordnance Datum levels and feature
locations were recorded using penmap and an EDM. Environmental samples were taken on
any deposits suitable for analysis or dating. Contexts, finds, samples, drawings and photo
registers from the site are provided in the Appendices.

5 Results

The kilns were characterised as single fired ‘clamper’ kilns. These kilns use unfired bricks to
form their structure, and are then dismantled following firing. Kiln 3 was slightly different in
construction from kilns 1 & 2 and was possibly the first kiln on site. No areas of possible brick
working, brick storage and drying or on‐site accommodation for workers or kiln minders
were discovered. There were no areas of clay quarrying within the limits of the excavation
but a large, irregular, elongated depression was identified in the underlying topography to
the 25 m to the west of the site which was likely to have been the remnants of a backfilled
clay pit.

The topsoil deposit (1000) covered the entire site and was a light to mid brown silty clay with
a few stone inclusions and a loose compaction. It was 0.20m in depth, and lay directly above
unmodified natural subsoil (1003), which consisted of a light brown silty clay with occasional
limestone inclusions and a fairly solid compaction.

A potential well (1002) was identified in testing. It was approximately 2.3m in diameter and
comprised a circular concave depression of 0.27m depth. It had a singular fill (1001) of mid
4
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orange‐brown fine silty clay with occasional pebbles and a soft compaction. It was interpreted
as a pond. It was too shallow to have functioned as a well and was probably agricultural, not
associated with the kilns. The area of in situ burning was exposed and cleaned by hand. There
were no negative cut features associated with the charcoal and no finds were recovered. The
deposit was shallow and poorly sorted; it was judged to have been of recent origin likely to
have been the result of modern agricultural activity.

Kiln 1

Kiln 1 measured 11m north/south and 6.5m east/west. The traces of 12 rows of bricks running
east/west could be identified in plan. Rows of bricks are termed ‘benches’ and specific
arrangements can be diagnostic of kiln typology. The ten benches within the centre of kiln 1
were of double‐brick thickness. In the central benches the bricks were arranged so a header
(width facing side) of each brick was exposed to the fire in the spaces between the benches.
The two edge benches at either end of the kiln were only single brick thickness. The bricks at
the end benches were laid with both headers on the faces of the bench.

The bricks that occasionally remained at the unfired bottom of the benches were laid on edge
(narrow face down). Instead of being laid alternately, with the header and stretcher in the
courses of the benches, the courses at Brusk were laid just slightly skewed from the previous
course. This differed from the pattern recognised at a recently excavated Newrath, Co.
Kilkenny (Wilkins 2006; Hammond 1977). The lower courses of poorly fired bricks were
ridged by the course of bricks laid diagonally on top of them, indicating why these were left
in situ. The bottom bricks would have still been fairly wet once laid and the weight of the
upper courses damaged them beyond use.

The ends of the benches frequently had bricks laid on edge (narrow face down) and a few laid
on bed (wide face down), preserved in the patterns they were stacked in for firing. It is
assumed that these bricks were considered not well enough fired to be functional, probably
due to being located at the edge of the kiln. They were left in place, occasionally to a depth of
three courses. The patterns at the ends of the benches included bricks laid with their stretcher
face on the benches face, and this pattern differed on each course. The pattern of brick laying
at the edges of the kiln was intended to stabilise the ends of the benches. The bricks suffering
from a combination of being at the end of the benches, at the extremity of the kiln and in the
bottom courses of the benches were so poorly fired that they had fused together.

There was evidence of a different style of bricks being placed in the centre of the kiln,
possibly because they required a higher firing temperature for their ultimate end purpose.
These bricks were a light yellow colour and different to the mid orange red colour of other
bricks fired in the kiln. The differentiation was a consequence of the hotter firing
temperatures found in the centre of the kiln in addition to reduced oxygen levels, creating a
harder, but more brittle end product. Yellow bricks were found in the middle of the central
benches in Kiln 1. The benches of yellow bricks were the only central benches to be left
behind, being too poorly fired to warrant retrieval. There was one red brick amongst them,
which was probably accidentally incorporated as all unfired clay looking very similar. This
brick was very well fired whereas the yellow bricks were occasionally soft in the middle of
the benches. The ends of the yellow benches were constructed of red bricks, further evidence
that the yellow bricks were harder to fire and were not wasted at the edges where the red
bricks had less opportunity to fire. The bottom course of yellow bricks was very heavily
ridged by the upper courses, suggesting that the yellow bricks may have been softer when
unfired than their red counterparts.
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The pile of brick rubble (1004) covering the remains of the benches was composed of broken
bricks or poorly fired bricks that were probably discarded as being unsuitable while the kiln
was being dismantled. This rubble was generally a red colour but also had elements of
yellow, light orange and dark red due to the broken bricks and brick dust within. It had a
moderate to very loose compaction due to its composition of pieces of brick up to about half a
brick in size (but on average quarter of a brick in size), with areas of more compacted brick
dust and occasional silts. This rubble was 0.1m to 0.15m thick and covered the entire extent
of kiln 1. The interfaces were very clear and the brick rubble [1004] was also to be found
between the remnants of the bottom two courses of the benches as well as on top of them.

Some of the discarded bricks in dump layer (1011) were not dropped where they were
discovered to be faulty but were deliberately flung away from the kiln and became
incorporated into the banked natural (1008) probably as a result of trampling.

A layer of gritty yellow sand (005) was recorded beneath the benches and across most of the
base of the kiln. It was shallow, measuring only 0.02m, but was high quality coarse sand and
was unlikely to have been resourced from the adjacent stream. In places it had become
disturbed and mixed with the rubble (1004) and was hard to discern in all sections. It was
compacted but easily loosened and had no inclusions within it. In other places it was not
present between the benches; this was likely to be a result of heavy raking out of ashes that
would have been required before the retrieval of the finished bricks. This deposit sheds light
on the construction techniques of the brick clamp kilns at Brusk. It was originally present
across the whole of the base of the kiln. It would also have protected the quality of the bottom
course of bricks in the benches by creating a barrier between them and the potentially damp
soil below, as well as preventing the adherence of soil and silts. The use of sand at the base of
the kiln suggests that the builders were hopeful all the bricks would fire well and were not
resigned to the failure of the lower courses.

A discoloured soil layer (1006) below and around the kiln was also recorded. It was caused by
direct heat applied to the unmodified natural subsoil (1003). It was a black silty clay of loose
compaction. A few roots had penetrated the layer. There were also a few burnt roots of
charcoal, present within the soil at the time of firing. This soil layer (1006) was a maximum of
0.06m thick but the thickness of all reduced soils was up to 0.15m thick. Layer (1010) was a
mid brown or purple coloured silty clay of loose compaction, 0.1m deep with evidence of in
situ burning and was directly below the soil layer below and around the kiln (1006). In some
places the differentiation between the soil layer surrounding the kiln (1006) and the soil layer
directly beneath it (1010) was unclear and diffuse. The soil layer surrounding the kiln (1006)
was very disturbed in places probably as a result of trampling and disturbance during
deconstruction of the kilns that would have included raking out of the ashes.

This partial raking out of the layer around the kiln (1006) in some places was observed when
the rubble (1004) between the benches extended deeper than the bottom course of the
benches. A lens (1007) within the rubble (1004] was discovered towards the north of kiln 1.
The lens was 0.02m thick and 0.35m in length. It was a light yellow to white gritty sand of
firm compaction. It is possible that this was incorporated into the rubble (1004) as the kiln
was dismantled. This had an ashy colour and texture. It may have appeared as a lens in kiln 1
as a result of disturbance. Ash would have accumulated between the benches and would
have needed to be raked out of the fired kiln before the bricks were removed, a potential side
product utilised as a soil improver.

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Topsoil and subsoil would have been banked around the kilns as they fired. Layer (1008) was
redeposited natural, a brown silty clay that appeared identical to the unmodified natural
layer (1003), except that it included broken bricks. The horizon between the redeposited
natural (1008) and the unmodified natural layer (1003) was not easily determined although on
Kiln 3 a layer of possibly burnt sod (1012) could have formed the interface between the
redeposited natural (1008) and the natural layer (1003). Where the redeposited natural layer
(1008) was banked against the sides of the kiln it lensed into the layer of soil surrounding the
kiln (1006). The redeposited natural (1008) would have been removed as the kiln was
dismantled and discarded bricks (1011) of about half a brick in size became incorporated with
the redeposited natural [1008], mostly in isolated dumps approximately 2m from the edge of
the kiln. A series of possible stoke‐holes at the ends of the spaces between the benches were
identified below the redeposited layer of natural (1008), with an area of disturbed material
(1009) within the redeposited natural bank (1008). It was a mix of the rubble (1004; 1011) and
reduced soil (1006). The bank of soil constructed around the kiln may have been to control air
flow, insulate the kiln and regulate the internal temperature. It was possibly also to help in
the stacking of the bricks in the higher courses of the benches, especially the benches at the
edges that were only single‐brick thickness (on Kilns 1 & 2) and may have needed extra
support.

Kiln 2

Kiln 2 measured approximately 11m SW/NE to NW/SE and 6.50m NW/SE, and the benches
were mostly recorded as surface burn marks on the ground with only a few bricks remaining
at the ends of the benches. These benches extended north/west to south/east and, like Kiln 1
there were ten benches of double‐brick thickness and two benches of single‐brick thickness at
the sides of the kiln. Similar to Kiln 1, the spaces between the benches were approximately
0.5m and the bricks themselves measured 0.24m by 0.1m and 0.05m ‐ 0.07m in depth.

Fewer bricks remained in situ in Kiln 2 and less rubble (1004) was recorded, possibly due to a
more successful firing than Kiln 1. Stoke‐holes at the ends of the spaces between the benches
were observed on Kiln 2, probably related to the raking out of the kilns or the fuelling of the
firing. Partial colour differences in the remaining marks of brick benches on the surface of
Kiln 2 may have been due to the almost complete removal of the bricks, disturbance and
trampling.

Kiln 3

Kiln 3 measured 10.20m SW/NE and 6.15m NW/SE. The benches ran NW/SE. It differed in its
construction from Kilns 1 and 2 by the fact that there were 11 benches of double thickness and
the spaces between the ends of the benches incorporated some form of brick blocking of the
stoke‐holes. The rudimentary nature of Kiln 3 was possibly because this was the first kiln
fired on this site. As the double thickness of benches on the edges of the kiln had not fired
well, this construction fault was possibly remedied in the later kiln construction of Kiln 1 and
2. The blocking off of the stoke‐holes was not observed on the other kilns either, and it may
have been an unsuccessful or unnecessary attempt to control the firing. Kiln 3 had been badly
damaged by tree roots in the north and as a result only the edges of the kiln were excavated;
this revealed that in fact the rest of the kiln would have survived fairly well.
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Deposit layer (1012) was a black‐red silty clay of loose compaction with organic inclusions
and a depth of 0.05m. It was directly above the natural subsoil and was a mixed, burnt
deposit resulting from the firing of the kiln and its fuel source.

6 Discussion

The manufacture and use of brick in Ireland appears to have mainly been absent before the
early modern period. There is no archaeological evidence for the use of this building material
prior to the 16th century, when it was used in buildings such as the Ormond manor house at
Carrick‐on‐Suir, Co. Tipperary and Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare (Rynne 2006, 166). Over the
following centuries brick production and use grew from a small, limited, and exclusive
industry to a widely employed building material with large‐scale production. This
development was greatly aided by the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries
which resulted in brick production becoming mechanised, thus increasing the quality and
output of the product.

Most pre‐industrial brick kilns in Ireland took the form of ‘brick clamps’. These were
temporary rectangular structures which were constructed from unfired bricks. They were
located near a source of suitable clay which was often found near rivers. This also facilitated
the transport of the finished product. After extracting the clay it was processed by removing
all stones and worked to a suitable consistency by adding water and trampling under foot
(Rynne 2006, 167). Bricks were then formed to set sizes; these sizes differed slightly
depending upon locality. Once the bricks had been allowed to dry the brick clamps were
constructed. This was done by stacking unfired bricks in rows (known as benches) with
alternate header and stretcher layers built up. In many cases the clamps were up to 5m high
(Hull 2005, 31). The gaps between the bottom rows of bricks were filled with fuel, including
peat and wood, and ignited. The clamps were often covered with peat and allowed to burn
for a number of days or weeks resulting in the finished product (Hull 2005, 31).

On small brick clamps such as those found at Brusk, the production of the bricks was a
singular, small scale activity, undertaken for the benefit of the local community (Rynne 2006,
166). With the Industrial Revolution came new mechanised methods of producing bricks
which allowed the industry to increase in size and production output. By the 1880s machine‐
made bricks were the norm in Ireland (Rynne 2006, 169). Bricks which were machine made
tended to be of better quality and of a standard size in comparison with those produced by
hand, from brick clamps. This mechanisation led to the construction of large brick kilns, of
which there were two basic types – the intermittent kiln and the continuous kiln. An example
of an intermittent kiln can be found at Coalisland, Co. Tyrone. In the continuous kilns the
drying and firing of the bricks became an uninterrupted process. An example of this kind of
kiln can be found at Youghal, Co. Cork (Rynne 2006, 170), and one was also excavated by
Headland Archaeology Ltd. in Newrath, Co. Kilkenny (Wilkins 2006). The use of sand, the
placement of the more desirable and harder to fire bricks within the centre of a kiln and often
towards the top of the kiln, and the differing methods of setting for each successive course
has been recognised in other kilns (Hammond 1977, 180).

Brusk would have been a temporary site used for three separate, sequential kiln firings.
Evidence for this is based on the assumption that the design of Kilns 1 and 2 were adapted
following the firing of Kiln 3, and that their close positioning would make simultaneous use
unlikely. The bricks were of the same size in each kiln and it could be suggested that the kilns
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were directly supplying the construction of a nearby building. No building could be
identified in the immediate vicinity using building matching the dimensions of the kiln
product, but bricks of a similar composition were used in the buildings constructed to service
the Loughrea to Athlone branch railway line (Geddes 2006). The yellow bricks produced at
Brusk may have been intended for decorative architectural features such as window arches,
but the higher temperature these bricks were fired at would also have made them suitable for
fireplace surrounds where direct contact with heat was likely. The kilns were estimated to
have been able to fire 20,000 bricks at once, requiring 24m³ of clay.

No archaeological finds were recovered from the site, and the singular faunal element from
Brusk was analysed by Auli Tourunen of Headland Archaeology Ltd. and was identified as a
horse molar tooth. It derived from the pile of brick rubble (1004) in Kiln 2 and was interpreted
on site as having been incorporated within the material that was subsequently burnt. The
osteological analysis confirmed that the tooth, which had since fragmented into six pieces,
was likely to be unrelated to the activity at the brick kilns (Tourunen 2007).

7 Archive

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:
Item Quantities
Context sheets 18
Sample sheets 0
Context, Photo and Sample Registers 8
Photos 122
Plans 0
Sections 8

The archive material is contained within one box.

The archive is currently stored in the offices of Headland Archaeology, Unit 1, Wallingstown
Business Park, Little Island, Cork. It is proposed that following completion of post‐excavation
the archive will be deposited with Galway County Council.

8 References
ArchaeoPhysica Ltd 2004 Archaeological Geophsical Survey Report. Published report submitted
to Galway County Council

Geddes, G 2006. N6 Galway to Ballinalsoe National Road Scheme: Loughrea and Attymon Light
Railway (1890‐ 1975). Unpublished report for Headland Archaeology Ltd

Hull, G. 2005. Brick Kilns. Archaeology Ireland 19: 4 Issue 74

Hammond, M. 1977. Brick Kilns: An Illustrated Survey. Industrial Archaeological Review 1:171‐
192
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Jones, M 2004 Archaeological test excavations on a ringfort site (GA96:089) in Farranablake East, Co.
Galway, on the route of the proposed N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe road scheme. Published report
submitted to Galway County Council

OS 1837 Ordnance Survey of Co. Galway, first edition, sheet 96, scale 1:10560

OS 1897–1913 Ordnance Survey of Co. Galway, second edition sheet 96, scale 1:10560

RPS‐MCOS 2004 N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe Environmental Impact Statement. Published
report submitted to Galway County Council

Rynne, C. 2006. Industrial Ireland 1750‐1930: An Archaeology. Cork: The Collins Press.

Tourunen, A. 2007. Final report on the faunal remains from Brusk, Co. Galway. Unpublished
report for Headland Archaeology Ltd.

Wilkins, B. 2006. N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 3. Preliminary report on archaeological
investigations at Site 34 in the townland of Newrath, Co. Kilkenny. Unpublished report for
Headland Archaeology Ltd.

10
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= CPO
Athenry E2063
Galway
Reproduced from 2002 Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1:50,000 Discovery Series no 46,
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
extent of backfilled
clay pits
0 100 m
Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Location of excavation area
Reproduced from 1933 Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Second Edition, Six Inch to One Mile map, Galway Sheet 96
C Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Government of Ireland. Licence No. EN 0008105
= CPO
= Excavated Area
0 250 m

Location of excavation area and RMP extract
N
50 m
0
Figure 3 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063 Topographical Survey
Kiln 2
tree
2 pits
damage
Kiln 3
Kiln 3
tree
damage
Kiln 1
brick
Plate 4
Possible well
N
Plate 1
0 100 m
Kiln 1
brick
Plate 1- Post-ex detail of brick shadows Plate 2- Post-excavation of Kiln 1
N
Plate 2
Plate 3
Plate 3- Relationship between kilns 1 and 2 Plate 4- Kiln 3 Post-excavation East side
0 10 m

Site plan of Kiln 1 and 3
Kiln 2
2 pits
Kiln 3
Kiln 1 1
Kiln
Plate 2
Possible well
N
0 100 m
Plate 1
brick
brick shadow
Plate 1- Kiln 2 Mid- excavation overall Plate 2- Kiln 2, 2nd row from NE, NW end moving to SE end
0 10 m

Site plan of Kiln 2
S N
Bricks 1004 Bricks
1008 1006 1004 1006
1006
1010
1010
1003 1006
1003
S N
1004
1m gap between sections 1007

1010 and 1006 1008
1005
0 1.25 m
Kiln 1
0 4m
= Location of sections
(triangles point to face of section)

East facing sections of Kiln 1
W E
1011
1007 1012
1005 1008
1006 1003 1003
1010
South facing section of Kiln 3
S N
1011 Brick Brick 1006
1008
1003 1010
1011
East facing section of Kiln 3
0 1m
tree
damage
Kiln 3
tree damage
0 4m
= Location of sections
(triangles point to face of section)

South and East facing sections of Kiln 3
E2063:1000:001
0 5 cm

Copper alloy fragment from kiln 2
Plate 1 - Pre-excavation view of kiln 1, facing N
Plate 2 - North facing elevation of bricks, kiln 1

Plate 3 - View of brick rows in southeast corner of kiln 1, facing NW
Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of southern end of kiln 1, facing SW

Plate 5 - Southeast facing section of northeast corner, kiln 1
Plate 6 - Post-excavation view of kiln 1, facing N

Plate 7 - Mid-excavation view of kiln 2, facing N
Plate 8 - Mid-excavation view of northern end of kiln 2, facing NW

Plate 9 - Post-excavation view of southern end of kiln 2, facing NW
Plate 10 - Post-excavation detail of bricks at northwestern end of kiln 2, facing SW

Appendix 1: Context register
FILL FILLED Length Width Depth

OF: CONTEXT TYPE BY: (m) (m) (m) Description Interpretation
Light to mid brown silty clay,
n/a 1000 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.2 few stones, loose compaction. Topsoil
Mid orange‐brown fine silty clay,
occasional pebbles, soft
1002 1001 Deposit n/a 2.4 2.2 0.27 compaction. Singular fill of dew hole (1002)
Circular in plan, shallow sides,
n/a 1002 Cut 1001 2.4 2.2 0.27 concave base, filled by (1001). Cut of dew hole
Light brown silty clay, very
n/a 1003 Deposit n/a n/a n/a n/a occasional limestone. Natural
Brick‐red rubble amongst
remaining brick stacks,
comprised of broken bricks, brick
dust or unfired bricks within silty Rubble layer of discarded
n/a 1004 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.1‐0.15 clay, moderate compaction. bricks
Yellow gritty sand beneath the
stacked bricks, loose compaction.
Probably laid before the unfired
n/a 1005 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.02 bricks. Sand layer beneath kiln.
Black silty clay under and
around the kiln, loos compaction.
Either originally natural (1003) or
redeposited natural (1008) that
has been heat affected and Reduced soil layer under and
n/a 1006 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.06 reduced. around kiln.
White gritty sand. Probably ash
that was raked out of the kiln
n/a 1007 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.02 before the bricks were removed. Ash layer remaining in the kiln.
Brown silty clay, loose
compaction. Redeposited natural
(1003) banked against the kiln
sides and taken down after firing
leading to incorporation of bricks Redeposited natural banked
n/a 1008 Deposit n/a n/a n/a n/a (1011). against the kiln.
Orange and black mix of brick
rubble (1004) and reduced soil
(1006), loose compaction.
Probably an area disturbed after
n/a 1009 Deposit n/a 1.1 n/a 0.1 firing. Lens of disturbed contexts.
Brown (aubergine) silty clay,
loose compaction. Lightly heat
affected and probably a fading Less reduced layer under and
n/a 1010 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.2 out of (1006). around kiln.
Discarded bricks within [1008]
probably incorporated as the
bank was taken down and spread
n/a 1011 Deposit n/a n/a n/a n/a out. Discarded bricks.
Black‐red silty clay, loose
compaction. Burnt organics
n/a 1012 Deposit n/a n/a n/a 0.05‐0.06 within 1008). Burnt sod layer.
Appendix 2: Finds register

Find no. Kiln Material Description Quantity
E2063:1000:001 2 Cu alloy Copper‐alloy grooved fragment, 1
0.13m x 0.05m
E2063:1004:001 2 Tooth Burnt tooth within kiln 1 broken tooth in 1 bag

Appendix 3: Sample register

Sample no. Context Description Quantity
E2063:001 (1004) Kiln 1: Bricks amongst the rubble. 10 bricks
E2063:002 Stacks Kiln 1: Bricks from brick stacks. 10 bricks
E2063:003 (1004) Kiln 2: Bricks amongst the rubble. 9
E2063:004 Stacks Kiln 2: Bricks from brick stacks. 5
E2063:005 (1004) Kiln 3: Bricks amongst the rubble. 6
E2063:006 Stacks Kiln 3: Bricks from brick stacks. 7
E2063:007 Clay Natural clay in vicinity of kilns. 2 bags

Appendix 4: Photo register

Shot no. Dir. Description Date
63 N Kiln 1: Working shot BC 10‐05‐06
64 N Kiln 1: The rows of bricks at south/east corner BC 10‐05‐06
65 N Kiln 1: The rows of bricks at south/west corner BC 10‐05‐06
66 N Kiln 1: A nice row of bricks (yellow) at east side BC 10‐05‐06
67 N Kiln 1: The end of a stack of bricks at east side BC 10‐05‐06
68 S Kiln 1: N‐facing pile of bricks at north/east corner BC 10‐05‐06
69 N Kiln 1: Working shot BC 10‐05‐06
70 N Shot showing all three kilns BC 10‐05‐06
71 N Shot showing relationship between kilns BC 10‐05‐06
72 N Pre‐excavation shot of mound/kiln 1 BC 10‐05‐06
73 ‐ Working shot BC 10‐05‐06
74 S Working shot BC 10‐05‐06
75 S [1002], quarter section of dew hole BW 11‐05‐06
76 N Working shot BC 11‐05‐06
77 W Resting shot BC 11‐05‐06
78 E Kiln 1: North end: West‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
81 W Kiln 1: North end: East‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
84 N Kiln 1: West end: South‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
85 S Kiln 1: West end: North‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
86 W Kiln 1: South end: East‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
87 W Kiln 1: South end: East‐facing section (2) SOD 11‐05‐06
88 E Kiln 1: South end: West‐facing section (1) SOD 11‐05‐06
89 E Kiln 1: South end: West‐facing section (2) SOD 11‐05‐06
90 E Kiln 1: Post‐excavation of south/east corner BC 12‐05‐06
91 W Kiln 1: Post‐excavation of south end BC 12‐05‐06
92 W Kiln 1: Post‐excavation of north end BC 12‐05‐06
93 W Kiln 1: South end: East‐facing section (1) BC 12‐05‐06
94 W Kiln 1: South end: East‐facing section (2) BC 12‐05‐06
95 E Kiln 1: South end: West‐facing section (1) BC 12‐05‐06
96 E Kiln 1: South end: West‐facing section (2) BC 12‐05‐06
97 N Kiln 1: East side: South‐facing section & post‐ BC 12‐05‐06
excavation
98 N Kiln 1: East side: South‐facing section (1) BC 12‐05‐06
101 S Kiln 1: East side: North‐facing section (1) BC 12‐05‐06
104 W Kiln 1: Post‐excavation detail of brick shadows BC 12‐05‐06
105 S Kiln 1: Post‐excavation detail of brick shadows BC 12‐05‐06
106 N Kiln 1: Large scale post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
107 N Kiln 1: South/east quadrant post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
108 N Kiln 1: South/west quadrant post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
109 N Kiln 1: North/west quadrant post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
110 N Kiln 1: North/east quadrant post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
111 N Kiln 1: Large scale post‐excavation BC 12‐05‐06
112 N Kiln 1: Large scale post‐excavation shows relation to BC 12‐05‐06
1 & 2

NEW CARD

1 W Kiln 2: Pre‐excavation BC 16‐05‐06
2 W Kiln 2: Pre‐excavation BC 16‐05‐06
3 W Kiln 2: Working shot BC 16‐05‐06
4 E Kiln 2: Working shot BC 16‐05‐06
6 NE Kiln 2: Working shot BC 18‐05‐06
7 NW Kiln 2: Working shot BC 18‐05‐06
9 NW Kiln 2: Working shot BC 18‐05‐06
10 SW Kiln 2: Working shot BC 18‐05‐06
12 W Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation overall BC 19‐05‐06
13 NW Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation north/east end BC 19‐05‐06
14 NW Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation NE centre BC 19‐05‐06
15 NW Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation SW centre BC 19‐05‐06
16 NW Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation SW end BC 19‐05‐06
17 N Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation south corner damage BC 19‐05‐06
18 NE Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation east corner detail BC 19‐05‐06
19 SW Kiln 2: Mid/Post‐excavation NW side detail BC 19‐05‐06
20 NE Kiln 2: 2nd row from NE, NW end MH 19‐05‐06
21 NE Kiln 2: 2nd row from NE, NW end moving to SE end MH 19‐05‐06
27 NE Kiln 2: 2nd row from NE, SE end MH 19‐05‐06
28 SW Kiln 2: Working shot MH 19‐05‐06
29 NW Kiln 2: 2nd row from NE, bricks at NW end MH 19‐05‐06
30 NW Kiln 2: 3rd row from NE, bricks at NW end MH 19‐05‐06
32 NW Kiln 2: 2nd & 3rd rows from NE, taken from ground MH 19‐05‐06
33 NW Kiln 2: 3rd row from NE, bricks at NW end MH 19‐05‐06
35 N Kiln 2: Working shot MH 19‐05‐06
36 E Kiln 2: Section at NE of kiln MH 19‐05‐06
39 W Kiln 2: Section at NE of kiln MH 19‐05‐06
40 W Kiln 2: Section at NE of kiln MH 19‐05‐06
41 S Kiln 2: N‐facing section at NW of kiln NK 25‐05‐06
45 W Kiln 3: South end BC 25‐05‐06
46 W Kiln 3: South/east corner BC 25‐05‐06
47 W Kiln 3: South/east corner BC 25‐05‐06
48 E Kiln 3: South end BC 25‐05‐06
49 E Kiln 3: South end BC 25‐05‐06
50 N Kiln 3: West side BC 25‐05‐06
51 S Kiln 3: West side BC 25‐05‐06
52 S Kiln 3: West side BC 25‐05‐06
53 N Kiln 3: Detail of brick stacks on west side BC 25‐05‐06
54 E Kiln 3: Detail of brick stacks on west side BC 25‐05‐06
55 S Kiln 3: East side BC 25‐05‐06
56 S Kiln 3: North‐facing section at east side of kiln BC 25‐05‐06
57 S Kiln 3: North‐facing section at east side of kiln BC 25‐05‐06
58 N Kiln 3: South‐facing section at east side of kiln BC 25‐05‐06
61 N Kiln 3: East side BC 25‐05‐06
63 N Kiln 3: East side, North end damage BC 25‐05‐06
65 S Kiln 3: Detail of brick stacks on east side BC 25‐05‐06
66 S Kiln 3: Post‐excavation on west side BC 25‐05‐06
67 SE Kiln 3: Post‐excavation on east side BC 25‐05‐06
68 W Kiln 3: Post‐excavation on north side with tree BC 25‐05‐06
69 N Kiln 3: Post‐excavation on west side with tree BC 25‐05‐06
70 W Kiln 3: East‐facing section of south slot BC 25‐05‐06
71 W Kiln 3: East‐facing section of south slot BC 25‐05‐06
72 NW Kiln 3: East‐facing section of south slot BC 25‐05‐06

Appendix 5: Drawing register

Drwg. Sect. Plan Description Date
1 1:20 Kiln 1: E‐facing section of N end of kiln AB 11‐05‐06
2 1:20 Kiln 1: E‐facing section of S end of kiln NK 12‐05‐06
3 1:20 Kiln 1: N‐facing section of W end of kiln MH 15‐05‐06
4 1:20 Kiln 1: S‐facing section of W end of kiln MH 15‐05‐06
5 1:20 Kiln 2: W‐facing section of N end of kiln MH 15‐05‐06
6 1:20 Kiln 2: N‐facing section of E end of kiln NK
7 1:20 Kiln 3: S‐facing section of E end of kiln LC
8 1:20 Kiln 3: E‐facing section of S end of kiln NK

Appendix 6: Site Matrix
Appendix 7: Faunal Remains Report

Full archaeological resolution was conducted on Brusk, Co. Galway (E2063) during May 2006.
Three brick kilns were exposed and excavated. Total of six fragments of burnt horse tooth were
recovered from the rubble layer of discarded bricks (1004).

Due to the small size of the material, no detailed analysis was possible. It is likely that the teeth
fragments do not relate to brick burning activities but derive from a horse buried or slaughtered
nearby.

Context Species Element NISP
1004 Horse Molar tooth 6

Table 1. Species and anatomical representation of sample (NISP).

Brusk Early Modern Brick Kilns

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Brusk Early Modern Brick Kilns

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Figure 1 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Figure 2 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Figure 4 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Figure 5 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

1m gap between sections 1007

Figure 6 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

South facing section of Kiln 3

East facing section of Kiln 3

Figure 7 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Figure 8 - N6 Galway to Ballinasloe Scheme, Co. Galway, Contract 2: Brusk E2063

Plate 2 - North facing elevation of bricks, kiln 1

Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of southern end of kiln 1, facing SW

Plate 6 - Post-excavation view of kiln 1, facing N

Plate 8 - Mid-excavation view of northern end of kiln 2, facing NW

Plate 10 - Post-excavation detail of bricks at northwestern end of kiln 2, facing SW

FILL FILLED Length Width Depth

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