County: Dublin Site name: KILGOBBIN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU026-161---- Licence number: 03E0717
Author: Abi Cryerhall, Margaret Gowan & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 718936m, N 724926m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.261336, -6.217281
A burnt mound in Kilgobbin, near Stepaside, Co. Dublin, was excavated. Located under the southern slopes of Three Rock Mountain, the site was on gently sloping ground, with its northern boundary at Kilgobbin Stream.
The site was part of a larger archaeological landscape that included Neolithic and Bronze Age structures, cremation burials and other features excavated by Ines Hagen (Excavations 2002, Nos 637, 02E1104; 606, 02E1196; 607, 02E1220; and No. 616, Excavations 2003, 03E0306). The burnt mound was located at a kink in the stream. This area prior to any groundworks was quite marshy after heavy rainfall.
The horseshoe-shaped burnt mound measured 7.6m east–west by 6.4m and had a maximum depth of 0.15m. The spread consisted of fire-cracked granite and charcoal. It was located on a high spot 5m away from the present-day stream. Under and to the south and east of the mound was an irregular layer of grey-and-brown mottled silt containing charcoal flecks. This layer was the result of continuous waterlogging prior to and contemporary with the burnt material.
A subrectangular (1.1m by 0.8m) shallow cut or depression 50mm in depth was located 1m north of the burnt material. This was filled with fire-cracked stones and charcoal. The fill and location of this feature suggested it was associated with the burnt mound. No trough was present adjacent or under the burnt material.
Located approximately 8m to the south of the burnt mound was a fire bowl and a hearth. The fire bowl cut natural and was circular in plan with a 0.5m diameter. It was 0.3m in depth and was filled with charcoal-rich silty clay. The natural around the inside of the bowl was orange, as a result of in situ burning.
The remains of a hearth were located in the vicinity of the fire bowl. This was 0.5m north–south by 0.4m and had a maximum depth of 40mm.
Associated with the hearth was a structure composed of post- and stake-holes in a V shape. This was to the north-west of the hearth and may have functioned as a windbreak or shelter.
A disturbed pit containing pottery fragments was located 10m to the south-west of the burnt mound. These fragments date to the early/mid-Bronze Age (pending specialist analysis). Associated with this feature was an oval-shaped structure consisting of outer stake-holes around a central post. This measured 1.5m north–south by 0.8m.
The site was cut in post-medieval and modern times by agricultural furrows, plough marks and field drains. This site should be viewed in the context of the wider Neolithic and Bronze Age landscape of this area. No dates or specialist analysis for the site were available at the time of writing.
2 Kiliney View, Albert Road Lower, Co. Dublin
