County: Dublin Site name: Testing Areas 4–6, Balseskin
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: 05E0063
Author: Stephen J. Linnane, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Site type: No archaeological significance.
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 712505m, N 740733m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.404740, -6.308005
An assessment was carried out in advance of the planned M50 upgrade. These testing areas were located in the townland of Balseskin at the N2/M50 interchange. The testing methodology, where possible, generally consisted of mechanically excavating 2.3m-wide test-trenches down the centre of the testing area and offsets across the width of the testing area every 15m.
Testing Area 4 was not assessed due to the presence of overhead ESB power lines. As this area was so small, it was not possible to insert trenches and avoid the power lines at the same time.
The combined area of test-trenches excavated in Testing Area 5 was 899m2. Overhead power lines present throughout the majority of this testing area restricted access to lands which could be assessed.
Testing Area 6 was also not assessed, as it is currently being used for storing topsoil (4–5m in height) for a nearby development. It is likely that this land has been previously disturbed.
No features or finds of archaeological significance were identified in Testing Area 5. Natural subsoil was exposed throughout.
