2000:0674 - FARRANDREG, Dundalk, Louth

A test excavation was undertaken along a section of the route of the Farrandreg Drainage Scheme. An earlier assessment of the scheme by Rob Lynch along the original route of the pipeline confirmed the presence of a substantial souterrain intersecting that route (Excavations 1999, 211–12, 99E0619). It is located adjacent to the eastern boundary of the field behind the Farrandreg housing estate. As a result of this, the decision was made to adjust this section of the pipeline to avoid any further disturbance to the souterrain.

A geophysical survey of the revised section of the pipeline route was subsequently undertaken by Martina McCarthy (GeoArc Ltd). Both the resistivity and magnetic gradiometry surveys showed up significant anomalies that required further investigation. Five test-trenches were opened along the revised section of the pipeline corridor. Their locations were derived from the areas of archaeological potential highlighted by the geophysical survey. It became clear that the geophysical anomalies were the result of underlying geological rather than archaeological conditions.

However, the southernmost trench produced a significant number of sherds of coarse pottery from the topsoil/subsoil interface, and the trenches immediately to the west of the souterrain produced a series of shallow pits and several post-holes. Although no dating evidence was forthcoming for these features, they did indicate the potential for the presence of archaeological remains in this area, possibly associated with the souterrain. On this basis it was recommended that the section of the pipeline corridor to the west of the souterrain be fully excavated prior to development. This excavation took place in tandem with a programme of monitoring along the rest of the pipeline corridor (see Excavations 2000, No. 675).

The area of the excavation measured 35m x 15m, and the main activity was characterised by a series of subcircular and oval pits concentrated on the western side of the pipeline corridor. Their most likely function was as rubbish pits, and it seems reasonable to suggest that they represent domestic activity associated with the souterrain. There was no substantive evidence for associated structures; it is possible that these were destroyed by subsequent agricultural activity. However, almost all the pits had charcoal-rich fills, but none had evidence for in situ burning, nor were any hearths uncovered. This would suggest that the burning took place elsewhere, implying that further habitation activity may exist beyond the limits of the excavation.

Most of the series of pits uncovered here produced coarse pottery. The presence of a tanged iron knife in direct association with the coarse pottery would mitigate against a prehistoric date for the assemblage. The only other metal find was a socketed iron point or spear ferrule, which came from a pit that did not produce any pottery. The presence of decorative finger-tipping around the base of several sherds of pottery suggests that it might be identified as souterrain ware; however, this identification has yet to be confirmed. Several rimsherds also display simple incised decoration, although there are no examples of the decorative cordon typical of souterrain ware. The colour and quality of the fabric of the pottery are quite variable, and many sherds are blackened, suggesting that they were used for cooking.

The shallow pits and post-holes on the eastern side of the site cannot be directly related to the series of pits on the western side, as they are at a remove from them and did not produce any diagnostic material; it is possible that they are the product of the same domestic activity.

Though the presence of a souterrain is taken as indicative of early medieval habitation, excavations of or in the environs of isolated souterrains have generally not produced much evidence for contemporary habitation. Sites such as Randalstown, Co. Meath, excavated by Kieran Campbell (Excavations 1986, 32–3), where there was clear evidence for contemporary structures associated with the souterrain, are unusual. Sites such as Smithstown, Co. Dublin, excavated by Margaret Gowen (Excavations 1988, 34–5), which produce ambiguous series of pits or gullies associated with the souterrain, are more typical. Where structures have been identified, they have tended to be located in or about the entrance to the souterrain (Warner 1979). The original entrance to the souterrain at Farrandreg has not been identified and presumably lies somewhere to the east of the excavation area. It is possible that the main focus of the early medieval settlement is located here and the excavated area represents ancillary activity.

Reference
Warner, R. 1979 ‘The Irish souterrains and their background’, in H. Crawford (ed.), Subterranean Britain, aspects of underground archaeology, 100–44. New York.

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