County: Dublin Site name: NEWTOWN LITTLE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU026-123 Licence number: 05E0665
Author: Sinéad Phelan, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Neolithic (4000BC-2501 BC)
ITM: E 718715m, N 724664m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.259035, -6.220685
As a result of monitoring by Melanie McQuaid at Newtown Little, Stepaside, archaeological features were identified in the south-west corner of the site in an area measuring c. 20m2.
An original topsoil level containing sherds of Early Neolithic pottery and nine flint artefacts, including a core, flake and burnt debitage, was recorded across the site. A pit measuring 3m long by 2.2m wide with a maximum surviving depth of 0.5m was situated in the south-west corner of the site. This pit contained sherds of Early Neolithic pottery and flint debitage.
Seven pits of Middle Neolithic date were recorded across the site. Artefacts included a large highly decorative rim-sherd of impressed ware Middle Neolithic pottery and 25 flint artefacts, including a retouched flint flake and a hammerstone.
Although there is no definite structural pattern, all evidence so far points to a domestic site spanning across the Neolithic period. The artefactual evidence points towards an Early–Middle Neolithic domestic site. Specialist analysis of the pottery environmental samples and lithics will aid with the interpretation of the site. Results from previous excavations by Inez Hagan, Abi Cryerhall and Emer Dennehy in the surrounding landscape have yielded Neolithic and Beaker dates (Excavations 2002, No. 606, 02E1196; No. 607, 02E1220; No. 638, 02E1104; Excavations 2003, No. 615, 02E1173 ext.; No. 616, 03E0306; No. 614, 03E0717; Excavations 2004, No. 608, 04E0566).
All specialist results will be presented in a final archaeological report.
27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
