County: Dublin Site name: LUSK
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E1029
Author: Susan McCabe, Arch-Tech Ltd.
Site type: Ring-ditch, Pit and Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 721606m, N 754494m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.526326, -6.165884
During monitoring of Phase 2 of a residential development south of the medieval town of Lusk, Co. Dublin (SMR 8:10), a complex of archaeological features was identified. The features were to the west of the site, along an area of a proposed link road, close to an existing field boundary.
A ringed feature measuring c. 4m in diameter was recorded as a possible ring-ditch, with several associated burnt pits situated to the north. Two linear features with rounded terminals adjacent to these pits may represent the truncated remains of a temporary structure to block prevailing winds, which would affect the temperature of the hearths.
The penannular ringed feature was cut into the natural subsoil, with a distinct ditch and rounded terminals opening westward. No evidence of a bank, mound or internal features was apparent. The upper layers of this feature had been cut by a modern field drain oriented north–south. The internal diameter of the cut was 4m at its widest, and the average width was 0.6m. The cut, which had very steep, almost vertical sides, measured 0.6m in maximum depth, although it lessened slightly toward the terminals. The base of the cut was concave and flat.
In addition to several silt fills containing charcoal inclusions, a fine, smooth, grey, sandy, clay layer containing occasional charcoal flecks was noted from the base of the terminals. Lying on this layer were the remains of five carbonised split planks of varying length, width and preservation. The planks did not appear to be in their original position but seemed to suggest deposition as a result of either human disposal or collapse after burning. In the immediate area around these planks a large quantity of burnt bone was recorded.
North of the ringed feature a cluster of several pits containing burnt material was identified. One of these, the largest, measured 1.2m north-west/south-east by 1m and was 0.38m deep. Another of the pits contained sparse quantities of burnt bone.
North-west of the cluster of burnt spreads and oriented south-west/north-east were two linear features, 9.6m and 3.2m long. Both had rounded terminals and contained silt fills with rare charcoal-fleck inclusions. The features were c. 0.15m deep and may be the remains of a slot-trench for a temporary shelter structure.
No datable artefacts were recovered during excavation, although palaeobotanical and radio carbon analyses are planned for the carbonised split planks. These may help to confirm a Bronze Age date for the ring-ditch.
32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
