2007:782 - BRAY UPPER, Kildare

This site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme, Phase 3: Kilcullen to Carlow. The remains of a segmented slot-trench, a ditch segment and several pits and post-holes were identified during testing. A segmented curvilinear north-east/south-west-aligned slot-trench measuring 13.6m by 0.3–0.5m by 0.3–0.4m was excavated, along with ten stake-holes, which were cut into its base. Several associated post-holes were also recorded in association with this structure, while a number of extraneous examples were also excavated to its south and east. A large pit/ditch segment was located to the north of the slot-trench; this yielded numerous sherds of prehistoric pottery and flint artefacts. Although the structural elements of this site point to its association with possible occupation evidence, the absence of foundation/structural remains to the east of the abovementioned activity, combined with the absence of internal occupation remains, suggests that a palisade or fencing function cannot be ruled out. The absence of negative cut features in this area may also be accounted for by centuries of cultivation, resulting in differential survival of archaeological remains; this is evident from the surface, where the predominant subsoil has been scoured away through agricultural activity exposing a glacial till substratum in its place. Presumably any archaeological remains would have also been removed during this episode.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork