County: Waterford Site name: Knockhouse Upper/Gracedieu West/Gracedieu East/Gibbethill
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 08E0959
Author: Tom Janes, Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork.
Site type: Multi-period
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 656438m, N 612302m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.259534, -7.173277
Test-trenching was undertaken on the proposed route of the north-west Waterford wastewater collection scheme at Knockhouse Upper, Gracedieu West, Gracedieu East and Gibbethill, on the north-west side of Waterford city. An assessment of the proposed development carried out by Mary Henry Ltd in 2007 recommended geophysical survey of the development. This survey was subsequently undertaken by Mary Henry Ltd and three areas of archaeological potential were identified. These areas of potential were subjected to targeted testing in December 2008. Test-trenches totalling 1170 linear metres were excavated in the three specified areas and the presence of features of archaeological potential was confirmed in all three areas. During the course of testing, seven areas of high archaeological potential were identified.
The areas of high potential comprised one area consisting of a spread of rubble and material representing the possible remains of a structure. Post-medieval finds were recovered from these deposits.
The remaining six areas of high potential consisted of a number of spreads of charcoal-rich silt and heat-shattered sandstone, which are likely to represent the remains of possible prehistoric burnt mounds. Cut features were also identified, filled with similar charcoal-rich and heat-affected material. No diagnostic artefacts were recovered from any of these spreads or features.
