2006:1329 - Balgatheran, Louth

The site was discovered during monitoring of topsoil-stripping along the route of the proposed south–north gas pipeline to be constructed by Bord Gáis Éireann. The site was located in Field 11 at Road Crossing 19 (19F11) in the townland of Balgatheran, Co. Louth. Archaeological investigations were conducted over three weeks during May 2006.
The site measured 30m north–south by 22m and was on a low ridge within a natural bowl between two dominant ridges in what is overall undulating countryside. It commanded extensive views to the east and west, while the high ridges blocked the northern and southern views. The site was located on well-drained ground that sloped away gently to the north.
The subsoil-cut archaeological features were located to the north and south of a natural stony deposit that stretched across the site from east to west. The southern side of this stony area contained a series of post-holes and pits that appear to form a circular structure composed of eight post-holes, with a possible windbreak (also defined by post-holes) on its east and north-east sides. Bronze Age pottery was recovered from two of the post-holes. There was no hearth found, but evidence for burning in situ was recorded on the eastern side of the house. The pottery assemblage from this area was composed of a significant number of cord-impressed decorated rim sherds, the largest of which measured 100 by 150mm. It is possible that this pottery constitutes the remains of a Middle Bronze Age funerary urn, but specialised pottery analysis will provide a more accurate date.
The archaeological features on the northern side of the stony area included a compact clay surface, pits and a series of stake-holes that stretched across the width of the pipeline corridor. The stake-holes form two linear arrangements that traverse the site while respecting the location of the pits. The stake-holes may have formed part of an enclosing feature around the house structure mentioned above.
The chronology of the activity is yet unclear, but removal of the compact clay surface (floor surface) revealed a short row of stake-holes that represent an earlier phase of activity. A significant number of Bronze Age pottery sherds were recovered from several of the pits, along with a hollow scraper.
A number of modern agricultural and drainage features including furrows were recorded on the site. The recovery of modern pottery from a linear feature that traversed the northern end of the site indicates a modern date for the feature.
The nature of the features including the post-holes, pits, stake-holes and clay surface would suggest a habitation function for the site, while the pottery indicates a broad Bronze Age date. The archaeology appears to extend east and west, beyond the limits of the gas pipeline corridor. The post-excavation phase is currently under way and awaits the results of specialist macrobotanical, microbotanical and radiocarbon analyses that will provide additional information regarding the function and date of this site.