2002:1293 - BALRIGGAN/CARN MORE/REDCOW/FAUGHART LOWER, Louth

Testing was undertaken along the c. 3km Section 2 of the proposed Dundalk Western Bypass, Co. Louth. The linear testing programme involved the excavation of a trench, c. 0.3–0.5m deep (depending on the depth of archaeological deposits or natural geology) and 2m wide, along the centre-line of the proposed route. Offset trenches, 2m wide, were excavated on either side of the centre-line at intervals of 25m (staggered at 50m intervals on each side) within the area of land-take. There was provision to excavate additional trenches in areas that revealed subsoil remains in an attempt to define further their extent and condition.

Testing took place from 10 to 21 May 2002. This was carried out using two 20-tonne machines, each equipped with a 2m bucket. The two machines began at either end of the scheme. Unlike in the Section 1 testing, potential archaeological sites were not revisited for further investigation.

Site 1: Balriggan 7
At Chainage 23000, at the west of Section 2 (just east of the Armagh Road), was a large spread of stones of varying sizes. The stones may fill a pit; they were covered by topsoil. A test sondage revealed that the stones occupied a hollow and may be the upper fill of a large depression/pit. The only find was an animal long bone. The stone spread was at least 5.7m wide and crossed the 2m test-trench.

Site 2: Carn More 2
A number of charcoal-rich features including possible post-holes were revealed at approximately Chainage 24185.

Site 3: Carn More 3
This site comprised an area of burnt material including a thin spread of heat-shattered stone and charcoal. It was at the southern end of the proposed slip road running south at Chainage 24860.

Site 4: Carn More 4
A cremation cist was revealed c. 24m north of the centre-line at Chainage 25090. The small stone cist measured c. 0.9m by 0.95m and had coursed stone lining the interior. The large, flat, rounded, granite capstone covering the cist had been replaced. The interior was untouched, but cremated bone was visible. Situated c. 20m to the north along the trench was a large granite boulder that appeared to have flat packing stones surrounding it.

Site 5: Faughart Lower 1
A possible burnt mound was revealed on the northern edge of the road-take at approximately Chainage 25415. It appeared to cover an area of at least 10m by 10m.

Site 6: Faughart Lower 2 and 2.1
To the east of the hedgerow at Chainage 25500 were three charcoal-rich features of possible archaeological interest (2). Immediately over the hedge to the west were a number of charcoal-rich, possibly archaeological features (2.1) at approximately Chainage 25480.

Site 7: Faughart Lower 3
Two hearths were found at approximately Chainages 25878 and 25935, at the east of the scheme.

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