2017:770 - BARBERSTOWN: Dublin Airport North Runway Project, Dublin

Intensive testing and subsequent excavation took place in June and July 2017 on the Greenfield areas within the development area of the proposed North Runway Project at Dublin Airport in the townland of Barberstown.

A total of 38,419.6 linear metres of test trench was excavated in the greenfield areas of the scheme which made up a total of 31 fields. Eleven possible sites (Sites 1-11) were identified during the assessment phases of works consisting of isolated possible pits, post-holes and ditches. The excavation of these sites was undertaken under an extension to Licence No: 17E0282 beginning on 22 July 2017 until 2 November 2017. Of the eleven sites that were identified during the testing phase seven proved to be of archaeological significance upon further investigation. These are listed below:

Site 1 exposed five ditches, ten field drains, six pits, a possible kiln, five post-holes and two spreads. It is likely that the ditches and drains represented the remains of a series of features associated with agricultural activity during the early medieval/medieval period.

Site 3 exposed a large trough and 3 small pits. The trough (F3004) contained large amounts of charcoal and some burnt stone and was likely associated with burnt mound activity (fulacht fiadh). Although fulachtaí fiadh are typically dated to the Bronze Age exceptions do occur and this included the trough at Site 3 which was dated to the Neolithic period (Cal 3330–3230 BC/Cal 3180–3160 BC/ Cal 3120–2900 BC). It was initially assumed that the three pits were associated with the trough. However, a radiocarbon date obtained from the fill of one of the pits proved it was significantly later in date and dated to the Late Neolithic period (Cal 2840–2810 BC/Cal 2680–2480 BC). This may suggest that this site was continually reused and revisited over an extended period but utilized for the same purpose.

Site 6 exposed a single pit which was filled with a grey silty clay. It appeared to be an isolated feature and its function remains unclear.

Site 7 identified three ditches, seven pits, six agricultural furrows, three field drains and one spread. These were typical of the features exposed on many of the sites identified as a result of this scheme (ditches, drains, pits). They were indicative of successive phases of early medieval activity and were largely associated with agricultural activity.

Site 8 identified seven ditches, two kilns, four pits, a possible well and four field drains. The ditches were all associated with drainage or field boundaries and represented successive phase of use (three of the ditch features had a recut). Radiocarbon dates recovered from Site 8 gave dates in the 6th/7th century AD and the 9th–11th century AD. It is likely that occupation of this site was, however, continuous from the at least the 6th to the 11th century AD, as a continued presence during this period can be identified on neighboring sites.

Two features were identified at Site 9, a field drain and a single pit.

Finally Site 11 exposed two pits, a spread, and a field drain.