2002:0697 - WOODSIDE, Dublin

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was undertaken as part of a large-scale residential development at Woodside, Stepaside, Co. Dublin. The areas stripped included Areas 1, 2 and 6 of the development and the route of a distributor road.

The landscape in which the monitoring took place comprised upland pasture. In addition to numerous agricultural features, several associated with land improvement for use as a golf-course, were three areas of archaeological significance.

At the highest point of the hill, adjacent to a field boundary, an isolated pit containing charcoal-enriched material and metal waste was identified. On the brow of the hill a possible Bronze Age hut structure was identified as an oval outline of post-holes with internal charcoal deposits. At the base of the hill, adjacent to a stream, an 18th-century stone structure and associated features were revealed. A large relict field boundary was also noted.

Further details of these features are given in the excavation summary for the site (see No. 698 Excavations 2002, 02E1584).