2005:085 - CHAPELSTOWN, Carlow

Testing was undertaken as part of further information for planning permission to build a retail park on the outskirts of Carlow town. Part of the development site was within the zone of archaeological potential for two enclosures, both identified by Barrett (2002) as cropmarks on aerial photographs. One of the monuments (7:66) comprised a single-ditched curvilinear enclosure with a diameter of c. 35m. The other enclosure (7:67) comprised a single-ditched enclosure with a diameter of c. 15m. There was no visible surface trace of either enclosure at the time of testing.

As part of the assessment, nineteen test-trenches were opened on the site. It was immediately apparent that this landscape had suffered considerable ploughing activity over the centuries, as a large number of furrows were visible within the trench sections. Topsoil and subsoil were far deeper within the vicinity of a ploughed-out field boundary than at the elevated part of the site to the north. This appears to reflect colluvial action. A change in the natural became evident the further north the trenches were cut. Large quantities of river gravels were present, not surprisingly considering the close proximity of the river, whereas the natural to the north was a uniform glacial till.

A number of linear features were discovered within the trenches, although no associated features such as post-holes or pits were found, nor were there any artefacts, either ancient or modern. The largest feature discovered was the ploughed-out field boundary seen in three test-trenches. The location and alignment of this feature corresponded to a boundary on both the first- and second-edition OS maps as well as on the aerial photograph (Barrett, op. cit.) It was obvious this feature had been removed in the very recent past.

Two probably curvilinear ditches were discovered between the river and the field boundary. It was possible they may also be concentric. Although their sides and widths were different (a ratio of almost 2:1), they both contained a flat base and similar fills.

Five trenches were opened on the projected site of the eastern cropmark visible in the aerial photograph, where a curvilinear ditch was discovered. The fill of this feature proved very similar in colour and composition to the fill of the ditches mentioned above and corresponded to the location of the cropmark, as apparent in the aerial photograph. No artefacts, or charcoal, were found with this feature, although it is considered to be of archaeological provenance. The ditch did not appear to be associated with the above features in any way. Its edges were far sharper, the dimensions larger and fill much darker in colour, with a much greater silicate content. It was possible it may have been a field boundary, but, if so, due to its alignment and close proximity to a known field boundary, as well as the fact it was not on either the first- or second-edition OS maps, it must be earlier than the early 19th century. This feature was not considered to be a drainage ditch, due to the site geology and topography. It was on a relatively extended incline covered in well-worked soils, with the underlying natural deposits consisting of glacial till, gravels and sand, all of which are conducive to excellent drainage.

Two trenches were cut along the western and northern flank of the large group of boulders situated in the north central area of the site. As these stones were located on a slightly perceptible east–west-aligned ridge, it had been thought they may have been the remains of an archaeological feature. Both trenches proved negative on this count and appeared to be the result of field clearance. Having said that, one of the stones may well have been the potential standing stone identified by J. Ó Néill (pers. comm.) during his testing of the adjacent western field. Furthermore, some of these other boulders may also have originally been components of a prehistoric landscape, cleared into the western hedgerow during a later period to accommodate modernised agricultural practices.

The work undertaken by Barrett has revealed a far greater human impact within this locality than previously thought. Set within a very fertile river valley, with excellent drainage conditions, this area can be considered an ideal location for earlier human activity/habitation. Evidence for prehistoric activity is present within the vicinity in the form of the Brownshill portal tomb. This monument would not have been in isolation within the landscape, therefore an associated settlement, probably with satellites, would also have been present.

Works undertaken within the adjacent field to the west (J. Ó Néill, pers. comm.) revealed a substantial enclosing ditch containing abundant charcoal and bone, leading to an interpretation of funerary activity. This feature was also within the location of a cropmark identified through aerial photography, although there is no classification for this type of monument within the area. Due to the close proximity of the features discovered in testing, in conjunction with the initial results from the adjoining field, it was concluded that both fields were utilised within the prehistoric period.

Reference
Barrett, G. 2002 Flights of discovery: archaeological air survey in Ireland, 1989–2000. Journal of Irish Archaeology XI, 1–30.