2019:299 - DRUMANAGH, Dublin

Season II of the Digging Drumanagh-Fingal Community Excavation Project 2018-20.
Excavation of a single trench took place over 13 days between 15–29 May 2019. The objective of the 2019 excavation was to investigate the impact of the insertion of the original approach road to the Martello tower towards the western end of the site; to examine the nature of construction of the road and to examine the stratigraphy and establish the level of natural subsoil in this area.

A single excavation trench, Trench 3 was opened to the south-west of Drumanagh. The trench location, c.350m west-south-west of the Season 1 trenches, traversed the Martello Road at a confluence of modern pathways providing an opportunity to assess the effect of modern activity on the site. Trench 3 originally measured 20m north-south x 5m and extended across the width of the extant Martello roadway. A variation to the agreed methodology to extend the trench by 14sq.m along its eastern limit was agreed with the National Monuments Service, in order to investigate the nature of features impacted by the Martello road. Trench 3 was excavated to subsoil to the east and south, a maximum depth of 0.45m.

Natural subsoil was overlain by an occupation layer (F49/50) through which a series of pits, post- and stake-holes were cut. The series of stake- and post-holes indicated a structure that extended beyond the limits of the excavation. A pit (F54) a further 1.3m to the south of the structure may have been contemporary. The focus of early activity uncovered during Season II was located in the centre of Trench 3 and had been impacted by the insertion and use of the Martello road. Interpreted as a working platform, this activity was characterised by a metalled surface (F46), large stone flags (F26) and a series of gravel deposits (F45, F38). The flagged surface was abutted to north by a gravelly finds-rich deposit (F45) and to the east by clayey silt (F51). Material of probable Iron Age date and artefacts of Romano-British origin were present in both these deposits. However the deposition of the compacted gravel appears over a sloped area of the metalled surface that underlies all these features and is indicative of levelling using material from elsewhere, whereas the material to the east of the flagged surface appears to represent a primary activity. The presence of a weaving comb of Iron Age date, along with numerous bone points, possible bone tools and a bone needle denote processing and/or craftworking and textile production as a function being undertaken in the vicinity. Further post-excavation analysis and radiocarbon dating will allow for the development of a definitive chronology for that activity and will inform the future management of the site.