2010:688 - Ballycarrigeen Lower 7, Wexford

Ballycarrigeen Lower 7 was located on the proposed M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy scheme. Four pits and a modern drain were recorded.
Pit 1 was large and subcircular and measured 3.6m by 2.6m by 2.5m. The profile consisted of mostly sharp breaks of slope, almost vertical sides and a flattish base. It contained twelve fills. The primary fill consisted of firm mid- to dark-grey silty clay with inclusions of poorly preserved wood. The poor condition of the wood limits interpretation, but it may represent remnants of a wooden base. The secondary fill was a stony deposit and consisted of a single course of flattish stones. This deposit could also have formed part of a basal structure. The tertiary fill was subcircular in shape and consisted of soft mid-grey silty clay with inclusions of poorly preserved wood. The fourth fill was also subcircular in shape, had a square profile and consisted of soft red/brown/grey silty clay with charcoal. These lower fills may represent a wooden base or lining, or remnants of a post-hole base. Pit 1 filled with water from beneath and may have functioned as a well, which might explain the need for a wooden lining. If a post once stood here, it would have been large, and was possibly removed or destroyed at some stage, leaving behind only an imprint and wood fragments. The fifth fill consisted of soft mid-orange/brown silty clay with stones. The sixth fill was soft light-grey silty clay. The seventh fill consisted of soft mottled light-orange/brown/grey silty clay with stones. The eighth fill consisted of sticky soft pale grey clay with small pebbles and grit. The ninth fill was pale orange/brown soft silty clay with stone. These middle fills are probably representative of material from the surrounds gradually slipping into the pit. The tenth fill was of great interest as it consisted of soft dark black/grey silty clay with charcoal, burnt bone and stones. A number of interpretations are possible in relation to this deposit. It may represent a dumping episode, or a deliberate cremation and placement, maybe even a ritual event, relating to the sealing or abandonment of the pit. The eleventh fill was sticky soft light-grey clay with charcoal and frequent inclusions of stone. The upper fill consisted of firm light-orange/brown silty clay with small stones, as well as two larger stones measuring 0.27m by 0.35m by 0.28m, and 0.48m by 0.53m by 0.14m, respectively. These upper deposits may be deliberately deposited or the result of material from the surrounds gradually falling into the pit. A number of interpretations are possible in relation to Pit 1: it could be a well, post-hole, or a cremation pit. Storage is also a possibility. This pit may have fulfilled different functions throughout its life.
Two smaller pits were also recorded. Pit 2 was located west of Pit 1, had an oval shape and a profile of sharp breaks of slope, almost vertical sides and a flat base. It contained five fills. The primary fill was moderately compact grey gravelly sandy clay with stone. The secondary fill was soft yellow/light-brown silty clay. The tertiary fill was soft medium brown silty clay with charcoal. The fourth fill was soft light-brown/yellow silty clay. The fifth fill consisted of soft medium brown silty clay with charcoal. The function of this pit is unknown. Storage is a possibility. Pit 5 was located close to Pit 2, had a subcircular shape and a profile of sharp breaks of slope, steep sides and an irregular base. This feature contained two fills. The primary fill consisted of moderately compact grey sandy and slightly gravelly clay with stone. The secondary fill was soft red/orange/brown silty clay. The function of this pit is unknown. Storage is a possibility. There is also a possibility that Pit 5 was originally a post-hole.
Pit 4, a large rectangular feature (5.5m by 1.1m) with sharp breaks of slope, almost vertical sides, with a possible flat base, was located in the southern corner of the site. The shape of this pit and the nature of the fills, mixed with semi-decayed organic material, indicate that this is a modern feature, possibly a machine cut. This feature was at least 1.5m deep and was not bottomed for safety reasons.
A modern drain cut across the south corner of the site, close to the edge of Pit 4.