2002:0639 - BALLYCULLEN, Oldcourt, Dublin

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was carried out in four phases at the site of a residential development in Ballycullen, Oldcourt, on the north-facing foothills of the Dublin Mountains. The field had previously been used for pasture. The first phase of work, undertaken by Goorik Dehaene, consisted of the monitoring of engineering test-pits. The second phase, carried out from 27 to 31 May 2002, consisted of the monitoring of topsoil-stripping of a field in the north-east corner of the proposed development. No disturbance to the natural subsoil was noted, except for a few very shallow lines of modern plough furrows, visible mainly at the northern end of the field. Several sherds of pottery were recovered from the topsoil, most of which were modern, with the exception of one sherd of post-medieval pottery (lead-glazed earthenware).

The third phase of monitoring took place from 16 to 21 June 2002 in the field directly south of the previous phase of works, which slopes gently down to the north-west. The rectangular area measured 160m north–south by 220m. Plough furrows and field drains of relatively modern date confirmed the more recent agrarian use of the land, and a derelict field boundary, illustrated on the first-edition OS 6-inch map from 1843, was identified.

In Phase 3 two areas of archaeological features were unearthed. Site 1 was on the 100m contour and consisted of a C-shaped feature, identified as a broken, arc-shaped ditch/gully with fills containing charcoal and burnt and unburnt bone fragments. Post-holes and a possible hearth were identified in the centre of this arc, and a cobbled surface was found to the east of it. The site was subsequently excavated under licence 02E1373 (see No. 640, Excavations 2002) and has been preliminarily identified as a structure of early historic date.

Site 2, a fulacht fiadh, was subsequently excavated under licence 02E1374 (see No. 641, Excavations 2002). It lay at 102–103m OD on gently sloping ground covering an area measuring c. 20m north–south by 20m. The site consisted of a large spread of heat-fractured sandstone with moderate inclusions of charcoal and dark brown/black, crumbly, loose soil. Two troughs, post-holes, pits and areas of burning were found in association with the spread. A small sherd of Late Neolithic or possible Beaker pottery was found in the western area of the site during cleaning.

Phase 4 of monitoring was carried out from 12 to 15 August 2002. Three derelict field boundaries were identified, all visible on the first-edition OS 6-inch map of 1843. Faint furrow marks and two drains were also identified. White-glazed crockery, black-glazed earthenware and two pieces of clay pipe were found in the topsoil. No finds, features or deposits of archaeological interest were identified during this phase of stripping.

32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2