2006:2171 - Ballynagran landfill, Coolbeg, Wicklow

Monitoring of soil-stripping in advance of the construction of the landfill identified archaeology in several locations across 21ha of what was formerly a greenfield site.
Phase 1 of the groundworks was monitored by Ellen O’Carroll (see No. 2170 above, 04E1633), who identified three archaeological areas: a possible flat cremation cemetery at Area 1 (preserved in situ), and a cluster of post-holes (Area 2) adjacent to a small ring-ditch (Area 3).
Phase 2 of the groundworks was monitored first by O’Carroll, and then by the writer in May–August 2006. Eight additional areas of archaeology were identified (detailed chronologically) and excavated in May–July 2006.
Area 5 was a fulacht fiadh site that included a flattened burnt mound, a trough, a hearth and three post-holes (the latter possibly supporting a wind-screen or similar functional apparatus alongside the trough). Activity on the site was radiocarbon dated to 2460–2190 bc (95.4% probability, as are other dates herein unless otherwise indicated).
Area 4 was a fulacht fiadh site, 100m downslope from Area 5, that included two burnt mounds, at least four hearths and five troughs (one lined with poorly preserved wood planks), overlying a series of meandering palaeochannels. Flint tools were made on part of the site and approximately 180 lithics were recovered, as well as nineteen sherds of prehistoric pottery. The site was used, probably episodically, over a long period of time, with the pottery and most of the flint deriving from the earliest western part of the site (radiocarbon dated to 2290–2030 bc). The south-east burnt mound, at the north edge of a boggy area subject to flooding, was in use over a similar period (2210–2020 bc, 93.6%). Later, as the mound material obstructed the palaeochannel used to fill associated troughs, activity moved upslope along the same channel to a burnt mound in the north-east of the site (1980–1760 bc).
Areas 9 and 10 were a fulacht fiadh site that included a flattened burnt mound, a wood-lined trough and a hearth (Area 10), nearby to a small post-medieval pond (Area 9). A few flint artefacts were recovered from Area 10, which was situated 110m uphill from Area 7 and yielded a radiocarbon date of 1890–1690 bc.
Area 7 was a fulacht fiadh site that included a large burnt mound (15m by 20m), four troughs (two lined with wood planks) and at least four hearths, adjacent to a prehistoric pond and palaeochannel. Several flint artefacts and a complete granite saddle quern were recovered here. The area was used, again probably episodically, over a lengthy period of time: early activity beneath the mound was radiocarbon dated to 1770–1600 bc; the end of use of the mound was radiocarbon dated to 1380–1120 bc.
Area 8 was a small fulacht fiadh site nearby (30m) to Area 7, and alongside the same palaeochannel. It included two hearths and a trough, with no separate burnt mound, and yielded a radiocarbon date of 1210–970 bc.
Area 6 was an unenclosed settlement site that included a round house (5–7m diameter), a second possible round house (on the same orientation and of identical size and build) that only partially survived, and a central oval pit/earth oven. The settlement was perched on a well-drained southerly slope, as close as 70–80m from Areas 4 and 5, but no more than 260m from Area 10. Several flint artefacts were recovered at Area 6 and, unexpectedly, the two buildings yielded radiocarbon dates of 760–400 bc (but with a probability of 68.6% for the narrower range of 600–400 bc) and 380–160 (94%). On the basis of their similar location and orientation and identical build, a cogent argument may be made for their being near contemporaneous; i.e. both dating from the 5th–4th century bc.
Area 11 was identified during stripping outside of the present area of development, but within land designated for future use. It appears to be a fulacht fiadh site, akin to Areas 7 and 9. The area lies 160m north-west of Area 5 and 290m west-south-west of Area 10 and was preserved in situ until the next phase of development.