County: Louth Site name: Area 15, Ballymascanlon
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: A002/119
Author: Sinclair Turrell, Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3.
Site type: Prehistoric
Period/Dating: —
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.
