2004:1877 - MILLTOWN NORTH, Wicklow

Three areas of archaeological activity were identified by Damian Finn during topsoil-stripping (Excavations 2002, No. 1983, 02E0268). As they lay directly within the land-take of the proposed dual carriageway and were to be directly impacted on by the development, full excavation was recommended Site A was a small crescent-shaped enclosing ditch. Two parallel linear field drains flanked it. Two other features were located to the east of the enclosure, while an oval pit with culturally sterile fill was just to the south-east of the enclosure. Site B consisted of a circular enclosing ditch, a possible post-hole at the base of the ditch and two outlying features of unknown function.

The small huts indicated by the remains at Sites A and B are difficult to place chronologically. Flint artefacts were recovered from Site B, but it is not being suggested that this site, or Site A, date from the Mesolithic or Neolithic periods, or even to the Bronze Age. Each of the three sites reported on are simple in that they have few features or artefacts that would place them conclusively in a chronological setting.

Site C was composed of two linear features with three associated pits. Two of the three associated pits were located at the terminus of the linear features. The larger of the two linear features began a short distance inside the land-take of the project and continued outside. It was the only feature in the site to contain archaeological material. All the other features identified appear to have been natural occurrences or the result of burned vegetation. Whether the burning was the result of cultural activities or natural events is unknown.

Editor’s note: Though carried out in 2002, this summary was received too late for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.