County: Kildare Site name: BALLYNAKILL: Site AE20
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E0155
Author: Fintan Walsh, IAC Ltd,
Site type: Cultivation ridges
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 680876m, N 740148m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.405270, -6.783692
Testing was undertaken at Site AE20 before the M4 Kinnegad–Enfield–Kilcock Motorway Scheme. Site AE20 was recorded as a series of cultivation ridges. Measurements taken on the rectified images give the spacing of the ridges as c. 2.5m.
One centre-line and six offset test-trenches were excavated across the area of AE20 to define the profile of the cultivation ridges and establish their function and date. These trenches were also excavated to assess the extent, character and condition of any previously unrecognised archaeological deposits in this area.
Testing revealed topsoil sealing geologically deposited strata across the whole site. Topsoil was on average 0.4m deep, with natural being a compact, mid- to dark brown clay. The area was not heavily disturbed by field drains or modern farming practices.
Testing of the cultivation ridges failed to reveal any archaeological remains. Ploughmarks associated with the ridge and furrow did not cut natural, suggesting only shallow activity in this area. No finds were recovered to date the ridges directly, but, as with other cultivation ridges in the scheme, it is suggested that these features are modern and therefore of no archaeological significance.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
