2006:2187 - Scratenagh, Wicklow

This burnt mound/fulacht fiadh was in Scratenagh, c. 7km north-east of Arklow town in Co. Wicklow. The archaeological investigation was undertaken on behalf of the National Roads Authority on the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow road improvement. The site was in low-lying land. An adjacent stream immediately south of the site is also the boundary between the townlands of Scratenagh and Coolmore. The site was c. 650m south-west of WI036–021, a tumulus. The excavation was undertaken in June and July 2006.
This site consisted of the remains of a burnt mound and comprised a hearth, a trough, stake-holes and a burnt spread. The site is contained within a small (15m by 15m) raised clay area above the immediate topography, comprising alluvial gravels and sands. The composition of the surrounding subsoil indicates that this burnt mound was probably either surrounded by slow-moving water or was subject to seasonal flooding during its period of use.
The burnt spread comprised an irregular non-continuous area (c. 6m east–west by c. 4.75m) with shallow (maximum 0.19m) deposits of burnt mound material. Under this burnt mound several stake-holes were identified. These stake-holes did not create any clearly identifiable structure. A hearth was also recognised. The trough comprised a subrectangular feature (1.96m north–south by 1.2m by 0.36m). A fragile timber lining was evident in the base of the trough, and the trough contained a single burnt-spread fill.
Three flint artefacts were recovered from this site, all three from the topsoil.