2006:2155 - Ballynapark, Wicklow

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Wicklow Site name: Ballynapark

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A022/039, E3224

Author: Ellen O’Carroll, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Site type: Burnt mound

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 727884m, N 683366m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.885951, -6.099750

This excavation was undertaken on behalf of Wicklow County Council and the National Roads Authority in advance of the construction of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow road improvement motorway scheme.
Burnt-mound material sealed a number of pits, post-holes and possible troughs. A flint scraper was found in the burnt-mound spread. The excavated burnt mound fits in well with the general typology of other previously excavated examples throughout the country. This group displays all the common characteristics of such a site. The trough would have been the main focus of activity on the site (the main cooking areas). Two post-holes may have supported a temporary structure, perhaps a shelter, or alternatively they may have acted as the basis for posts or poles for hanging meat prior to cooking. Two pits were also excavated at the site. The pits were unsubstantial and mostly backfilled by the sealing burnt-mound deposit. The function of the pits is as yet unknown.