County: Louth Site name: BALLYMASCANLON (Area 15)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A002/119
Author: Sinclair Turrell, Archaeological Development Services Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 706362m, N 811228m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.039254, -6.376127
Site 119 was discovered during Phase 1 testing along the route of the A1/N1 Newry–Dundalk link road and an area measuring 85m by 100m subsequently opened up by mechanical excavator.
The site was situated on a steep, south-west-facing slope with a flat alluvial area at its base, bounded by a small stream. A number of archaeological features, probably prehistoric in date and mainly consisting of stake-holes, post-holes and small pits, were scattered across the site, some forming distinct clusters. These included two groups of shallow pits, many with charcoal-rich fills containing flint, burnt bone and some prehistoric pottery, possibly cooking pits. In addition, several alignments of stake-holes were investigated, one associated with further shallow pits and post-holes, perhaps also indicating domestic activity. A rectangular structure, around 6m by 4.5m, sited on a small mid-slope plateau may possibly have been a house, and cremated human bone was also found in at least one small pit. Modern activity in the form of plough furrows, drains and tree boles was also in evidence.
Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3
