2001:1349 - CALARY LOWER, Wicklow

A small pit was excavated in the townland of Calary Lower, Co. Wicklow, during June 2001. The site was detected during the monitoring of topsoil-stripping for the Hollybrook–Wicklow Bord Gáis Éireann pipeline in May 2001.

The site was located in rolling topography approximately 2km to the west of the Glen of the Downs. The area comprises hillside territory interspersed with streams and rivulets descending to the coast. It is likely that the Glen of the Downs woodland would have extended into the area in former times.

During the monitoring of topsoil-stripping a small area of charcoal-rich soil became apparent. After cleaning it appeared as a charcoal-filled pit with a possible flue-like feature to the south. This pit comprised a subcircular cut with near-vertical sides and a flat base. The cut measured some 1.54m north–south by 1.16m, with a depth of 0.32m. A small patch of oxidised or fire-reddened clay was noted at the base of the cut. This measured approximately 0.2m north–south by 0.23m as exposed and is likely to represent in situ burning.

A small pocket of brown silt was noted at the base of the cut. This fill consisted of a moderately compact brown silty clay which was present at the eastern edge of the base and pit side. The main fill of the cut was a dense charcoal deposit, composed of a moderately compact black silty clay, rich in crushed charcoal and with frequent fragments of charcoal, approximately 0.3m deep. A possible flue feature was present on the southern side of the cut. This consisted of a narrow linear feature, remaining as a shallow depression, which measured 0.6m north–south by 0.38m with a depth of 0.05m. It was filled with a moderately compact mid-greyish-brown sandy clay.

Analysis of the charcoal from the pit fill by Dr Ingelise Stuits found that it was of very good quality, with many large fragments of branches present. Three wood species, alder (Alnus), holly (Ilex) and willow (Salix), were identified in the sample. Given the nature of the charcoal content, the function of the pit is difficult to explain. It is unlikely that it was intended for charcoal-making as oak (Quercus) would generally be expected for such a purpose. It is hoped to obtain a radiocarbon date for the pit fill.