2006:2163 - BALLYVALTRON, Wicklow

The site, in Ballyvaltron, c. 8km south-west of Wicklow town, comprised burnt-mound/fulacht fiadh activity associated with several post-holes containing Neolithic pottery. The archaeological investigation was undertaken in May to June 2006 on behalf of the National Roads Authority on the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow road improvement. The site, which was located at the base of a west-facing slope, is c. 260m north-west of WI036–005, a church. The site measured 60m (north–south) by 50m and comprised a burnt spread, a trough and pits and post-holes.

Three pits were located in the south-west of the site. The first comprised a subrectangular cut (2.33m north–south by 0.7m by 0.65m) with steep sides and a flat base. The fills of the pit comprised burnt-spread material and natural silts and clays. A single post-hole was located c. 1m west of this pit. A second pit was located south-west of the former pit and comprised a subcircular cut with two fills. A third pit in the south-west of the site comprised a rounded cut with a flat base with four fills. Eleven stake-holes were recorded in the south-west of the site. They comprised rounded and oval features with dark charred fills. The cluster did not form any discernible structure type. A possible kiln was identified immediately north of these stake-holes, consisting of an irregular cut with several layers comprising charred material. Several stones in the south of the feature formed three rough courses of a collapsed lining. These stones displayed evidence of burning on their inner edges. It is likely that these stones form part of a kiln structure. The upper layers of the possible kiln were disturbed by modern activity.

Three pits were recorded in the west of the site. The first comprised a subcircular cut with a rounded base and contained three fills. The second comprised a subcircular cut aligned east–west. The cut was rounded with nine stake-holes in the base. The pit contained burnt-spread material. The third pit comprised an irregular cut with a single fill.

Neolithic activity was identified in the north-west of this site. The features containing Neolithic pottery are contained within a triangular area (3m east–west by 4m) and comprise a shallow deposit, three post-holes and a stake-hole. It is likely that these features are associated with a single structure, although no structure type was identifiable. A pit with a single fill was also in the north-west of the site.

Features in the north of the site are associated with a burnt spread and comprise a burnt spread, two troughs and four pits. The burnt spread comprised an irregular oval deposit (12m north–south by 9m) up to 0.4m in depth. The first pit was subcircular (0.55m by 0.52m by 0.17m) with two fills, and the upper fill contained carbonised hazelnut shells. The second, third and fourth pits were under the burnt spread. The second pit comprised an oval rounded cut (0.92m by 0.47m by 0.27m) filled with burnt-spread material. The irregular cut (1.91m by 1.84m by 0.43m) of the third pit was stepped to the east and north-east. The fourth pit comprised a subcircular cut with a single fill. The troughs were both under the burnt spread. The first trough comprised an oval cut (2.93m north-east/south-west by 1.85m by 0.27m) with a single fill. Four stake-holes were recorded in the base of the trough, indicating a possible internal fixing or structure. The second trough comprised a subcircular cut (2.38m by 2.18m by 0.5m) with two stake-holes. Fragmentary remnants of organic (possible wooden) material were evident at the base of the feature, indicating possible lining material.

Seven flints, six sherds of Neolithic pottery, one sherd of possible medieval pottery and one piece of quartz were recovered from this site.

Coolroe, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow