2005:1695 - EUROCONEX, IDA BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY PARK, BALLYNATTIN, Wicklow

This is one of several phases of work carried out on the IDA Business Park in Ballynattin, Arklow. Euroconex Technologies Ltd is located in the north-west corner of the business park. Testing of the carpark was carried out by Bruce Sutton (Excavations 2004, No. 1842, 04E0937). Testing of a carpark extension, to the south of the Euroconex building and to the east of the existing carpark, was carried out by the writer (see No. 1694 above, 04E0937 ext.). The extension was subsequently monitored in September 2005; this summary details the findings of the monitoring.
The entire area was stripped of topsoil, 0.3m in depth, down to the level of the subsoil. A number of possible archaeological features were uncovered. A number of possible pits measured an average of 0.3m by 0.3m, were circular in plan and were filled with a mid-pinkish-orange clayey silt with sub-angular moderate medium pebbles and small stones, with moderate flecks and small pieces of charcoal. Two small areas of burning in situ were also uncovered. The possible pits and burnt areas were concentrated in the western half of the proposed extension. The features, on the surface, are similar morphologically to those excavated by John Tierney in the adjoining site in the IDA Business Park in Ballynattin (Excavations 2004, No. 1841, 04E0712). Evidence for modern disturbance, including a large pit filled with scrap metal, furrows and field drains, was also uncovered.
As the carpark extension was not excavated below the level of the top of the subsoil, the features were preserved in situ. The location of the possible features was surveyed electronically. The features were then covered with a protective membrane of terram, which in turn was covered with pea gravel and trunking.