2024:329 - Bennanstown, Dublin

The two prehistoric cremation pits (identified during the 2016 archaeological test excavation) and an 18^th-century brick clamp have been archaeological excavated and resolved.  A further two previously unrecorded cremation pits were also archaeologically resolved in accordance with revised method statement to the National Monuments Services, to incorporate this work.

Cremation Pit No.1: This pit was identified during the 2016 archaeological test excavation of the site. It was located at ITM 723433 724275. It measured c. 0.5m by 0.3m. It contained charcoal-rich soil with cremated bone. Once archaeologically resolved it was found to be shallow in nature of c. 0.08m in depth. Samples have been retained for further analysis.

Cremation Pit No. 2: This pit was revealed as a smaller satellite-like pit to Pit No. 1. It was found c. 1m to the east (ITM 723434 724275). It had a volcano-like profile, in which a c. 0.3 base of natural subsoil, rose to c. 0.15m diameter to retain a fill of charcoal-rich soil with cremated bone of c. 0.1m centimetres in depth. Samples have been retained for further analysis.

Cremation Pit No. 3: This pit was found during a general surface clean back of the subsoil between Pit No. 1 to south and Pit No. 4 to north (ITM 723423 724300). C. 0.5m by 0.3m oval deposit of charcoal-rich soil was assessed. Upon excavation, it had a roughly flat base (c. 0.15m in depth) with stone and redeposited subsoil partially lining its rim. It was found to contain cremated bone. Samples have been retained for further analysis.

Cremation Pit No. 4: As the most northerly pit, it was situated closest to the 18^th-century brick clamp. The pit had irregular edges being a crude circle in plan of c. 0.35m to 0.4m diameter with a charcoal-stained soil fill. Upon recording and removal of the soil fill, it revealed a shaped mudstone (shallow dome profile) set over an upturned funerary urn. This feature was recorded and then archaeologically extracted by block method under the direct supervision of Conservator, Dr. Susannah Kelly and osteo-archaeologist, Patricia Lynch. Both are now involved in extraction of the urn and associated archaeological material under laboratory conditions in University College Dublin. Further analysis shall occur.

Brick Clamp: The revealed and accessible extent of the brock clamp at ITM 723430 724314, measured c. 6m west-south-west to east-north-east by 5m. The east-north-eastern portion of the brick clamp has not been uncovered. This is because live ESB overhead lines reside immediately (6m) to the east of the limit of the current excavation area. The area under the lines consisted of mounded soils and debris up to the edge of the excavation area. It was not permissible for health and safety reasons to mechanically excavate beneath or within 6m of overhead ESB lines. This negated the exposure, and archaeological excavation of this section of the clamp. Both a portion of this section and the remaining clamp (and upcast) to the north are in what was being termed a ‘Buffer Zone’ by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC). This Buffer Zone has been relinquished to the DLRCC’s contractors, Clonmel Enterprises, who are currently constructing the new road (subject of the 2022 archaeological excavation under the same licence – 20E0718). This zone was necessary for their construction of the road and will only become accessible once all road construction works are completed.

Further archaeological work involves post-excavation analysis, collation of materials and samples from the excavation, analysis by technical experts, dating of materials and samples, and completion and submission of final archaeological excavation report.