County: Dublin Site name: GRANGE: Baldoyle (Site 6:3)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E0703
Author: Stuart D. Elder, The Archaeology Company
Site type: Pit
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 724541m, N 740358m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.398671, -6.127252
Site 6:3 was located during topsoil-stripping for a new town development, c. 70m north of Site 6:1 (No. 457, Excavations 2004, 04E0701), and comprised a single shallow pit feature with oxidisation of the base and sides. It contained two charcoal-rich fills and an ashen deposit. Tiny fragments of burnt bone, a piece of flint, possibly burnt, and a polished pebble were recovered from the deposits.
The cut of the pit was subcircular with concave profile and orientated east-west. It measured 1.1m in length, 0.9m in width and had a maximum depth of 0.12m. This feature appeared either to be cut into the natural gravel substrate or at least contained within a slight hollow. Small stones forming the base of the feature were blackened from charcoal staining and also appear to have been affected by heat.
Site 6:3 has been interpreted as a hearth site. The presence of a charcoal-rich deposit as the primary fill and the effect of heating noted on the small stones at the base of the feature suggest burning in situ. The uppermost fill contained token amounts of burnt bone, some possibly pottery sherds and a polished pebble. This material would be consistent with a rubbish deposit and probably represents mixed soil, ash and refuse deliberately deposited to douse a fire.
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