2005:1700 - COOLADANGAN, Wicklow

The initial identification of archaeological features on the site was confirmed by testing under licence A003/005 as part of the N11 Gorey–Arklow scheme. Excavation commenced in August 2005 for a period of two weeks. The site was located in a slightly south-sloping field.

Nine post-holes, nine stake-holes, four pits, one linear ditch and one hearth feature were recorded. The post- and stake-holes may represent evidence for two circular structures up to 5m in diameter.

Six post-holes forming a semi-circle in plan were excavated. The cut profiles of each were very similar, each having vertical concave sides and a flat, slightly concave base. The fills of each were homogenous in composition and comprised of loosely compacted brown silty sand with occasional inclusions of small packing stones and charcoal flecks. The post-holes had an average diameter of 0.28m and a depth of 0.12m. The post-hole alignment had an east–west diameter of 5.15m by 3.1m. The distance between each of the post-holes was on average 1.84m, with the maximum distance being 2m and the minimum 1.7m. They are interpreted to represent the remains of a prehistoric circular structure. Three other post-holes were found east of the previous alignment. They had an average diameter of 0.27m and an average depth of 0.14m. Their fills consisted of brown sandy clay, clayey silt and clayey sand. All three contained occasional packing stones at their bases.

The stake-holes ranged in diameter from 0.05 to 0.1m and in depth from 0.03 to 0.14m. Each contained a single fill, which varied from brown sandy clay, clayey sand, silty clay and silty sand, some with occasional inclusions of charcoal flecks. There was a cluster of three stake-holes located towards the middle of the structure.

The four pits were located nearby and three were aligned along a south-easterly axis. Pit C.67 was oval in plan and measured 1.15m long, 0.8m wide and 0.11m deep. It had concave sides and a flat base. It contained a fill of dark-brown silty sand with frequent inclusions of medium-sized pebbles and moderate flecks of charcoal. Pit C.87 was situated 1.4m south-east of C.67. It was circular in plan and measured 0.56m long, 0.5m wide and 0.11m deep. It had concave sides and a concave base. It contained a fill of loosely compacted grey/brown clayey sand, with moderate inclusions of medium-sized stones towards its base and occasional flecks of charcoal throughout. Pit C.85 was located 1.8m south-east of pit C.87. It was the largest of the three pits, oval in plan, and measured 1.4m long, 1.1m wide and 0.16m deep. Similar to C.67, it had concave sides, a flat base and a single fill. This consisted of firmly compacted brown/grey clayey sand with moderate inclusions of stones and occasional charcoal flecks. The final pit recorded in this area was situated 4.4m north of C.87. It was circular in plan and measured 1.02m long, 1m wide and 0.48m deep. It had concave sides and a flat base. It contained three fills, which consisted of loosely compacted grey/brown clayey sand and dark-grey silty sand. There were occasional inclusions of stones and charcoal throughout the three fills. It is difficult to interpret the functions of these pits, as they contained virtually no ritual or archaeological depositions. They also are unlikely to have been structural supporting pits. The three that were aligned south-east/north-west are potentially contemporary with one of the structures.

A linear ditch C.4 ran the entire width of the site in a north-east to south-west direction for a distance of 42m and tapered into a point at its northern end. Six box-sections varying in width from 1.5–6m were excavated into C.4 along its length and in total 30% of the feature was excavated. The ditch had a U-shaped profile with concave sides and a flat to concave base. The width varied along its length from 1.4–1.8m. Its depth also varied from 0.4–0.45m. It contained two fills of dark-brown sand and grey/brown sandy clay. There was a decrease in depth of 0.51m from south to north over a distance of 28m along the base of C.4. The ditch may have functioned as a medieval/post-medieval boundary or drainage ditch.

An isolated feature was located on the north-western edge of the site. It was oval in plan and measured 0.44m long, 0.35m wide and 0.22m deep. It had vertical sides and a concave base. It contained a single fill and its base and sides were lined with relatively flat and angular heat-cracked/reddened stones. The fill consisted of loosely compacted black sandy clay with frequent inclusions of charcoal and heat-cracked/reddened stones. An area of the natural surface on the south-east side of the feature was heat-scorched.

A further 46 potential archaeological features were investigated on the site. Following their sectioning, it was established that each one represented a feature of non-archaeological significance. They took the form of animal disturbance, root activity and natural deposits of compact clays, areas of natural oxidisation and compact gravel deposits.

Finds consisted of worked flint and medieval/post-medieval pottery. Dating of the features awaits the return of results from the radiocarbon analysis of charcoal samples from their various fills.

Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny