2003:1787 - MONADREELA (Site 13), Tipperary

This site on the N8 Cashel Bypass and N74 Link Road scheme was tested by Anne Marie Lennon in 2002 (Excavations 2002, No. 1704, 02E0286). A cluster of stake/post-holes, pits, a linear feature, a post-hole and a recut pit were identified. An area of 2875m2 was fully stripped between Chainages 6540 and 6590. In all, 66 features were identified, of which two were positively identified as being prehistoric (Bronze Age) in date. Thirty-six features were post-medieval cultivation furrows, two were post-medieval ditches and associated bank (the same features identified from Sites 14 to 5), and the remaining features could not be assigned any specific date or function.

The Bronze Age pits were located at the south-west corner of the site, almost at the edge of the CPO. Pit 13083 was subcircular in shape, measuring 1.41m long, 1.02m wide and 0.3m deep, with two separate fills containing 254 sherds of Bronze Age pottery. At least four separate pottery types were identified, including several decorated sherds with nail impressions in a crow's-foot pattern. Cremated and crushed bone, substantial quantities of charred hazelnuts and acorns and a small polished stone axe were recovered with the pottery. The second pit was subcircular in shape, measuring 0.92m long, 0.9m wide and 0.4m deep and located 2.4m from pit 13083. The primary fill contained 29 sherds of prehistoric pottery and two small retouched flints.

A group of six post-holes was identified in the centre of the site, but these did not form any recognisable pattern or structure. The post-holes ranged between 0.3 and 0.57m in diameter and between 0.18 and 0.36m deep. Some contained packing stones in their charcoal-rich fills. It is possible that these may be associated with the Bronze Age pits (located less than 20m to the south). The remaining pits and post-holes were isolated features.

3 Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7