County: Wicklow Site name: COOLBEG
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WI031–045 Licence number: A022/068, E3254
Author: Goorik Dehaene, for Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 727725m, N 690669m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.951592, -6.099238
This site, located on level ground c. 4km south-west of Wicklow town, comprised a single pit and furrows. The archaeological investigation was undertaken in March to May 2006 on behalf of the National Roads Authority on the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow road improvement. The site encroaches on the north of the constraint area for a flint scatter.
A gully, hearths, kilns, a palisade, a circular feature, pits, post- and stake-holes were identified on this site, which measured 40m (north–south) by 30m. The shallow gully was located in the south-west of the site and continued beyond the western limit of the excavation. The two hearths were both located in the north-west of the site. Both features comprised circular cuts with charcoal-rich fills. In situ burning was associated with both features.
Three corn-drying kilns were identified within this site. The first was in the north of the site. The figure-of-eight cut (2.36m east–west by 1.33m by 0.45m) had eight fills. Layers of charred material were identified within these fills. Three possible phases of use were identified. Three flint artefacts were associated with this feature. The second and third kilns were in the centre of the site. Both comprised figure-of-eight cuts with up to several fills.
The palisade was located in the south-west of the site and continued westwards beyond the limit of the excavation. This was the most extensive feature on the site. More charcoal was identified in the north of the feature, indicating possible burnt remains of timbers. The feature has been interpreted as a possible enclosing palisade.
The circular feature was located in the centre of the site. It comprised a penannular cut (diameter c. 2m) associated with three possible stake-holes. The stake-holes formed an east–west line across the feature. The largest stake-hole was in the centre, with the remaining two on opposite sides immediately inside the penannular cut. The feature has been interpreted as a structure and may comprise a small hut. A pit containing a broken quernstone was identified c. 0.4m south of this feature.
The sixteen pits identified across this site varied in size and morphology. Several are probable storage pits with even edges and flat bases. Others are more irregular and their function is unclear. Four post-holes were recorded in the west of the site. These form an irregular rectangular area (c. 1.8m by c. 1.2m) with a post in each corner. A fifth possible post-hole was located to the north-west.
Three stake-holes were identified in the east of the site. These encompassed a rectangular area (1.5m by 0.8m) and are not directly associated with other features.
A total of 85 finds were recovered from this site. A large proportion of these are flints. Rubbing stones and a broken quernstone were also recovered.
This site was very similar to E3256 (see No. 2178, Excavations 2006), immediately to the north.
Coolroe, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
