2010:758 - Frankfort 1, Wexford

Frankfort 1 was located on the proposed M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy scheme. The site was identified in a grass pasture field bounded by trees, hedgerows and briars on the east and south and by a scrubby area with gorse and ferns to the south. A post-and-rail fence bounded the north side. The western half of the field sloped steeply down to the east.
Frankfort 1 consisted of a multi-phase burnt mound and associated features, including two troughs and a well, which were partially covered by slumped natural material from the hillside.
The main deposit of burnt material was located at the southern end of the site, spread in an east to west direction, and extended across an area measuring 10m by 9.5m The spread reached a maximum depth of 0.2m and consisted of loose black silty sandy clay which contained a high concentration of angular heat-affected stones. Beneath the main deposit lay more compact dark black/brown clayey sand which consisted of similar heat-affected material.
Two pits were uncovered beneath the spread. The larger of the pits was circular, measuring 0.8m in diameter with a maximum depth of 0.29m. The second subcircular pit, which measured 0.55m by 0.5m, had a maximum depth of 0.18m. Both pits had U-shaped profiles and contained moderately compact dark-blackish/grey silty clay with frequent burnt stones and charcoal flecks, similar to that of the burnt-mound material.
A number of associated features, such as burnt-material deposits and natural hollows or pits containing burnt material, surrounded the main burnt mound. One particular shallow depression to the west of the main spread yielded a piece of natural timber which was taken as a sample for potential dating.
An oval-shaped trough, measuring 1.8m north to south by 1.5m, was used in the first phase of activity. The oval trough had straight sides inclining to a concave base at a maximum depth of 0.76m. The primary fill of the trough was an alluvial build-up which was soft bluish/grey silty sand. The main fills were moderately loose mid- to dark-grey silty clay which contained frequent fire-affected stones and some charcoal flecking. The infilling of burnt-stone material identified in this trough may suggest a period of abandonment. A cluster of five stake-holes was identified at the edges of the trough base. All stake-holes were vertically set.
A second larger, subrectangular trough, which measured 3.3m east to west by 1.9m, truncated the oval trough representing a second phase of use of the location. This larger trough had straight sides, slightly sloping inwards to a flat base at a depth of 0.5m. Four stake-holes were located within the trough, which were vertically set and filled with fine light-grey silty clay, similar to the basal fill of the trough. The main fill of this trough was compact dark-brown silty clay which contained frequent fire-affected stones, black mottling and a moderate amount of charcoal. Three stake-holes were uncovered at the northern side of the trough while a further ten were identified on the west side. All of these stake-holes were filled with burnt-stone material.
Stake-holes in the base of both troughs would suggest that temporary structures were erected during their use.
In situ burning was identified close to the subrectangular trough along with a subcircular hearth to the south, which measured 1.5m by 1.3m. Further evidence of burning was located along the eastern edge of the trough, covering an area 1.4m by 1.2m.
A large keyhole-shaped pit, which had a length of 4.7m and was 3.2m in width with a maximum depth of 1m, was identified as a possible well or water source. This pit, or well, had steeply sloping sides with a base that sloped gently towards north. The well yielded mid- to dark-grey alluvial layers of silting. The well could have supplied water for the troughs. A stake-hole was located in the well.
A single find of flint was recovered from topsoil.