2003:2118 - LAUGHANSTOWN, Dublin

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was carried out in the northern area of a residential development on 29–30 October 2003. This is located on the site of the Laughanstown military camp (SMR 26:127), which dates from the late 17th to late 18th century. Several other sites are recorded in the general locality and much archaeological investigation has been undertaken here (O’Donovan, Excavations 1997, No. 25, 1998, No. 128; O’Neill, Excavations 1998, Nos 40–2, 127, 1999, No. 169; Seaver, Excavations 2000, Nos 300, 320; Baker, 03E0910, No. 469, Excavations 2003; McQuade, 03E0839, No. 468, 03E1145, No. 623, 03E1182, No. 470, 03E1365, No. 624, 03E1366, No. 625, 03E1370, No. 626 and 03E1471, No. 627, Excavations 2003. Testing and monitoring had previously been carried out in the area to the south (Simpson, Excavations 1995, No. 27; O’Donovan, Excavations 1997, No. 85), which has since been developed. The area stripped of topsoil was an elevated area c. 79m east–west by 36.75m.

The stratigraphy comprised 0.3–0.36m of ploughsoil overlying natural subsoil. A series of pits and/or post-holes and a linear feature were uncovered in the north-west of the site. A subcircular spread of charcoal-stained soil was uncovered towards the northern limit of excavation. This was 0.85m long, 0.6m wide and 0.04–0.07m deep. About 4m to the south-west were two potential post-holes. They were 0.25m in diameter and 0.4m apart. Both were filled with very compact dark-grey stony clay with charcoal. About 1.35m to the south-west of these was another possible post-hole. This had a diameter of 0.2m and fragments of animal bone were present in its fill. A larger pit (c. 0.68m by 0.6m) was identified 0.8m to the south of the northern limit of stripping. It was filled with dark-grey sandy clay with charcoal and stone (mainly granite, with an average size of 0.1m by 0.1m); some poorly preserved fragments of animal bone were also present. About 6.8m to the east of this was a north–south-oriented linear feature. This continued northwards beyond the area of topsoil-stripping, but the exposed portion was 0.62m wide and 4m long. It was filled with dark-grey loosely compacted sandy clay with charcoal and occasional sandstone, granite and poorly preserved animal bone. A section was excavated through this feature, which had a U-shaped profile and was 0.1m deep. About 3.4m to the south-east of this was a north-west/south-east curvilinear feature. This was 23.3m long, 1.2m wide and up to 0.18m deep. It was filled with brown sandy clay with charcoal and occasional animal bone and stone.

It is likely that these features continue into the unstripped area. They may be related and could form part of a larger complex of features. Several east–west plough furrows were also uncovered during topsoil-stripping. Sherds of pottery present in some of these indicate that they date from the post-medieval period.

2 Kiliney View, Albert Road Lower, Co. Dublin