County: Wicklow Site name: Scratenagh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A022/023, E3208
Author: Goorik Dehaene, Coolroe, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, for Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound/fulacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 727096m, N 679975m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.855683, -6.112772
This burnt mound/fulacht fiadh was in Scratenagh, c. 7.25km 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 scheme. The site was in low-lying land, c. 25m from the Redcross River. The site was c. 300m south-west of WI036–021, a tumulus. The excavation was undertaken in June and July 2006.
The recorded site is contained within 25m (north–south) by 20m and consisted of the truncated remains of burnt-mound activity. The natural subsoil was higher in the north-west of the site and lower in the east and south-east. This lower area was identified as a palaeochannel. Within the base of the palaeochannel an ancient tree trunk was identified (provisionally identified as oak). The burnt-spread activity was adjacent to this palaeochannel.
The burnt spread was in the east of the site and comprised three phases of deposition. The spread measured c. 12m (north–south) by c. 9.5m by 0.45m. The north of the burnt spread was cut by (and defined by) a modern drain (aligned east–west).
Pits and stake-holes were identified on this site. The stake-holes did not reveal any definable structure type. Similarly the pits have an uncertain function, but, due to the proximity of the burnt spread and the composition of the fills, these features must be assumed to be associated burnt-spread activity.
Seven flint artefacts were recovered from this site.
