1996:145 - TOBERTOWN, Dublin

This site and No. 314, Excavations 1996 (Path, Co. Meath), were discovered as a result of archaeological monitoring of topsoil removal prior to the construction of the Balbriggan Bypass. The excavations took place on 18–24 October.

This site consisted of three pits, Features 1–3, and each was initially identified as a deposit of burnt material.

Feature 1, a rectangular pit 2.4m x 1mx 0.32m deep, had a loosely compacted, charcoal-blackened soil with a moderate inclusion of small burnt stone as fill. A slump of natural redeposited soil occurred on the eastern side between two layers, indicating that the pit had been left exposed at some time and subsequently reused. Two sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the fill of the pit. There was no evidence of in situ burning.

Feature 2 was an oval pit located  1m to the west of Feature 1. The basal layer was a maximum of 80mm deep and consisted of a loosely compacted charcoal fill with moderate charcoal inclusions and occasional small stones. The upper layer consisted of a loosely compacted blackened soil which contained small stones. This layer was a maximum of 40mm deep and contained no evidence of in situ burning. No finds were recovered.

Feature 3 was considered to be a non-archaeological feature. The top layer contained charcoal inclusions, possibly as a result of the burning of natural vegetation. Layer 2 was blackened, probably as a result of leeching from the charcoal-rich layer above. Layer 3 ran into and through the natural subsoil in a small tunnel. The feature is probably a result of animal burrowing activity.

Features 1 and 2 appear to be isolated pits related to prehistoric, possibly domestic activity. The fill of Feature 1 is similar to burnt mound material and may be related to cooking activity. A specialist report is being prepared for the pottery fragment.

29–30 Duke Street, Athy, Co. Kildare