County: Dublin Site name: DUBLIN: Statoil, Thomas St.
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 95E0066
Author: Margaret Gowen
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 714257m, N 733979m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.343689, -6.284117
Archaeological test-trenching was undertaken at the site of a disused garage and filling station as part of an archaeological evaluation of the site for planning purposes.
The evaluation was based on the examination of two long test-trenches and four test-pits opened inside the standing building at the back (north) of the site. The deposits recorded at the front of the site represent the fill of a watercourse or ditch which had silted up, largely with habitation debris which yielded a quantity of late medieval pottery. Inside the standing building a 'garden soil' was revealed at a similar level.
Such assemblages are not common in the archaeological record for Dublin as the basements of buildings dating from the late 17th century have removed the deposits dating to that period.
A recommendation was made for an archaeological 'watching brief' on the excavation for the tank farm at the front of the new forecourt and for the various substructures and drainage features. A provision for the retrieval of artefacts and the recording of profiles exposed was thought to be the most appropriate way of dealing with the situation.
Rath House, Ferndale Rd, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin
