2024:697 - Ballintrane, Clonmacshane and Graiguealug, Carlow

The archaeological monitoring of the mechanical excavation of sod and topsoil in a number of areas was carried out in 4 different fields, in the townlands of Ballintrane, Clonmacshane and Graiguealug, Co. Carlow. The results of the post excavation works indicate activity dating from the prehistoric Neolithic/Bronze Age and Iron Age through the Renaissance and Tudor Period to the 18^th and 19^th century.

The archaeological monitoring of the topsoil stripping in the townland of Graiguealug, (Field S1, Area A) identified archaeological features and one feature that included small fragments of burnt bone. A NE-SW running linear feature ran diagonally through the area. The metal detection survey in this area recorded a number of metal finds from the topsoil dating to the last century and a possible Renaissance, post-medieval bead (Find No. 23E0541:01). The bead was conserved by Susannah Kelly and examination by Dr. Jim Higgins. No further features were identified in Area B, however a retouched flint blade was recorded during the monitoring.

Two trenches (Area C and D) were excavated in the townland of Clonmacshane, (Field S3). The archaeological monitoring of the topsoil stripping in Area C revealed a number of archaeological features in the E end of the trench. These were comprised of a layer of dark blackish brown silty clay with charcoal inclusions and pits.  A George the 2^nd coin (1760) was recorded from the metal detection survey of topsoil at the W end of the trench.  The removal of the sod and topsoil in Area D revealed furrow activity dating to the 19^th and 20^th century cutting into the natural.

Two areas were excavated in the townland of Ballintrane, Area E in Field N1 and Area F –  along the southern boundary of Field N3, in the area of the access road.

The archaeological monitoring of the topsoil stripping in Field N1, revealed an area of archaeological features measuring 6m x 6m. A bipolar core from a context 3 in Area E dates to the Neolithic Chalcolithic/Bronze Age (K. Driscoll). The monitoring recorded a number of pits indicating a possible habitation site dating to this period.  The metal detection survey of topsoil revealed a Tudor pin, a metal mount and nail which were conserved by Susannah Kelly. Examination by Dr. Jim Higgins identified the pin as dating to the 16^th century and is similar to one recorded from the Nore River.

In the field (N3) to the north of field N1, numerous archaeological features were recorded in the geophysical survey and testing reports, including the remains of a ring-ditch. The archaeological monitoring of the excavations for the access road in Field N3 (Area F) recorded a shallow pit feature in the west. The charcoal was identified as oak (Licence 8232) and dated to between 437 and 600 AD (2 sigma – 95.4%).  UBA-56971; Licence Alter No. 8232, Alter/Export No. 8326). Examination of the wood by environmental archaeologist Dr Ellen O’Carroll concluded that the feature likely represented a charcoal production pit or associated with an industrial type activity.

Archaeological monitoring of the topsoil stripping in the rest of the access road revealed a number of modern drains, furrows associated with recent agricultural activity and a modern cut filled with redeposited natural and machinery fragments.