2005:1694 - BALLYNATTIN, Wicklow

Test excavations were undertaken in advance of the proposed construction of an extension to a carpark at Euroconex Technologies Ltd, Business and Technology Park, Ballynattin, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. A significant number of archaeological sites had been excavated in the area of this park in the past. Works were carried out on 23 August 2005. Three test-trenches were excavated in a staggered layout, all aligned with their long axes running south-west to north-east, the same as the long axis of the proposed carpark extension. All three trenches measured 50m long by 2m wide.
The features uncovered during testing were considered as three groups: modern, probably modern and possibly archaeological.
The large disturbed area in the south-western part of the area tested, and a pair of post-holes also in the same area, were clearly modern in origin.
Included as ‘probably modern’ are two features which are similar in form and are probably plough furrows. They run parallel with the test-trenches, which are in turn aligned parallel with the long sides of the existing field boundary, a fact which makes them more likely to be ploughmarks.
The possibly archaeological features all contained charcoal and in some cases had evidence of fire-reddening and/or burnt stone or clay. Limited investigation of their fill recovered no artefacts, modern or otherwise.
Given that extensive prehistoric archaeology has been excavated in a number of locations in the immediate vicinity and that a worked flint was recovered from one of the trenches, the possibility that these features may be further evidence of prehistoric activity was considered significant and monitoring of groundworks was recommended.