2006:1991 - KNOCKMAHON, Waterford

Testing was carried out in advance of a housing development at Knockmahon, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford. The site is bordered by houses to the east and north and pastureland to the west. The main road through the village is to the south of the site.

Testing was carried out on 23 November 2006. The development site consisted of two fields. Five trenches were opened, with a total length of 473.7m. No archaeological deposits were identified within Trenches 1, 2, 3 and 5. Trench 4 revealed several post-medieval features relating to copper mining activities in the area. These included cobbled surfaces, a linear wall and several linear drains and pits.

A wide linear drain, 1.5m wide, was found, which contained black/brown mixed peaty silt clay with inclusions of red brick and building rubble. Approximately 4m to the east lay a narrow linear feature. It was filled with rounded stone cobbles with evidence of cobbles in both section walls. Directly east of this a band of fine grey sand was identified. This was c. 1m wide. A band of green copper-coloured stone chippings lay directly east of the sand; this measured 1.6m wide. A cobbled surface was located in the south-facing section. It measured 6.7m east–west and comprised medium-sized rounded cobbles set in sand.

A wide linear wall located halfway along the trench ran in a north–south direction. It was 0.92m wide and 0.3m thick and comprised randomly coursed limestone bonded with thick white mortar. Directly east, a plank of wood separated grey sand from orange/red sand. The area was slightly disturbed, with cobbles mixed throughout. A circular single black pit was found with a modern drain close by. This ran downhill in a north-west/south-east direction and contained plastic and modern material. No features pre-dating AD 1700 were located at this site.

Monitoring of all groundworks associated with the housing development has been recommended.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork