County: Dublin Site name: Dublin Port
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 08D038; 08R109
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd, Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Site type: Seabed
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 720944m, N 734544m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.347277, -6.183523
Diver-truthing was undertaken of all geophysical anomalies located within the proposed development footprint of the proposed Dublin Gateway Project. A marine geophysical survey of the development area was carried out by Boland Archaeological Services (BAS) Ltd in 2002. This survey identified a total of 130 targets, 51 of which are located within the proposed seabed reclamation area and 32 that are located within the approach channel/turning circle for the port extension. The current ADCO survey documented the presence/absence of each anomaly and, where present, ascertained the archaeological significance of that anomaly. In addition, the assessment documented the existing underwater environment and seabed topography at all target locations. A total of 75 side-scan sonar targets and three magnetometer hits were visually inspected.
This assessment represents the third phase of pre-development work undertaken by ADCO within Dublin Port. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 assessments (see Nos 402–3 above) dealt specifically with a section of known wreckage located 65m west of the eastern limit of the proposed reclamation area, 450m east of the current reclamation extent of the North Port. The wreck correlates to side-scan anomaly S23b, listed as a ‘high backscatter linear anomaly on starboard channel, north-north-east/south-south-west orientation’ in the BAS marine geophysical survey report. The findings from the wreck inspection and subsequent investigation are detailed in two separate archaeological reports.
No archaeologically significant material, structures or deposits were encountered as part of the Phase 3 work undertaken at Dublin Port. In a large number of instances the target locations did not yield any positive anomaly, the anomaly being either a natural feature, buried, or a portable object that has moved since the original geophysical data was gathered. Where a positive anomaly was present, the target proved to be of modern origin and included boat jetsam, disused pipe sections and the remains of old moorings, etc. The Phase 3 assessment was carried out over a seven-day period between 10 and 18 July 2008.
