2002:1822 - WOODSTOWN (N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 1, Site C), Waterford

Testing was carried out on the proposed N25 realignment, of which Site C formed part. Site C was identified following the environmental impact statement as an area of high archaeological potential in the townland of Woodstown, along the bank of the River Suir (Chainages 7040–140). It appeared as an overgrown circular mound, which may have represented subsurface archaeology or been the remains of a quarry or pit. The site overlooked the river to the north-west and sloped dramatically toward it. An assessment was carried out that involved machine-assisted trial-trenching in the area immediately north of the mound and manually excavated trenches across the mound itself. A topographical survey was carried out on the mound (Mound A) and its surroundings. This survey revealed a second, smaller mound, (Mound B), just west of Mound A. This mound was also tested by manual excavation.

Excavation of the trenches in the area of the two mounds revealed that both were rock outcrops and not archaeological. No archaeological features were exposed in these trenches (2, 4 and 5). However, features were exposed in the mechanically excavated trenches (1 and 3) to the north of the mounds. These included furrows, four shallow ditches and various spreads containing charcoal. An examination of the first-edition OS sheet, published in 1842, revealed a field boundary in the same location as the ditches. The furrows exposed reflect agricultural activity in this area. The various spreads in Trenches 1 and 3 may represent land clearance, as there were a large number of root bowls in these trenches. A large number of post-medieval and modern finds were retrieved from the topsoil. Further archaeological work is required on this site.

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