County: Dublin Site name: DUBLIN: Hanover Lane
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 03E0607
Author: Claire Walsh
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 714981m, N 733627m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.340371, -6.273380
Test excavation at a potential development site at Hanover Lane was undertaken on 6 May 2003. Hanover Lane connects Patrick Street with Francis Street. Both streets are principal medieval thoroughfares, though located outside the walled city. Hanover Lane was probably in existence in the medieval period, as there is a reference (in Alen’s Register) dated 1371 to a bridge over the watercourse beside the mill on the south. A mill at Patrick Street lay between Hanover Lane and John Dillon Street.
The evidence from the excavation has revealed medieval deposits 0.4–1.1m+ in depth, which occur at 0.6m below present ground level. The soils are relatively loose and friable and not organic in nature. Finds of medieval date, including floor tile and a disarticulated human finger or toe bone, were recovered from the soil. Archaeological features, indicated by discrete differentiated deposits, were apparent beneath the soil. These may indicate structural activity, or may be rubbish disposal pits. There was no indication of medieval masonry or any evidence that the ground was used for burial. It appears unlikely that a medieval ditch which was excavated at John Dillon Street to the north (Excavations 2001, No. 388, 98E0158 ext.) extends as far south as this site. The medieval deposits have been removed completely in areas where later building was intense, specifically at the eastern part of the site, beneath the 19th-century buildings.
Full excavation in advance of construction has been conditioned.
27 Coulson Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6
