County: Dublin Site name: RAHENY, Lusk
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 93E0093
Author: Beth Cassidy, A.D.S. Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 722299m, N 754624m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.527333, -6.155389
Archaeological material observed during the construction of the gas interconnector pipeline* in the townland of Raheny, Lusk, Co. Dublin, in June of 1993, was excavated by A.D.S. Ltd. on behalf of Margaret Gowen for An Bord Gais.
The features uncovered revealed the remains of several field drainage gullies; two substantial ditch features, one of which suggested it was part of a rectangular enclosure; some pits; a small rectangular structure (internal dimensions 2.5m east-west x 3.5m north-south, possibly mud walled/sod built structure as foundation gulley had no trace of stake or postholes for wall supports); and the remains of a Late Bronze Age food vessel burial.
All features were truncated remains of settlement activity covering a period from Late Bronze Age (as defined by the cremation vessel remains) to possible medieval (as seen in the sub-rectangular 2m wide c. 1.5m deep ditch which ran 35m east-west returning 7m north-south into neighbouring field). Finds were the Late Bronze Age pot, some rough river flint, and a single uncontexted green glazed sherd of c. 13th to 14th-century pottery. There also was a peculiar decorated (see illustration) mud stone which had a face image carved out on either side. If anybody has seen similar examples of such an artefact I would be glad to hear from them. The location of the stone from the site came from a possible early context but this has yet to be confirmed with dating.
*The pipeline was running from the main north-south pipeline to an interconnector point at Loughshinny on the east coast for connection to British mainland gaslines.
Power House, Pigeon House Harbour, Dublin 4
