2010:816 - RYLEEN (2), Wexford

Excavations at Ryleen 2 were undertaken on behalf of Wexford County Council as part of the Stage (iii) archaeological services contract prior to the commencement of construction of the N25 New Ross bypass road scheme. The archaeological features identified at Ryleen 2 were subdivided into four main areas or foci of activity (Areas A–D), which produced evidence of a Neolithic house and associated features.

Area A
Excavation at Area A revealed the remains of the Neolithic house. This comprised a rectangular slot or foundation trench that measured 8.5m by 6.25m. Extensive oxidisation along the south-western section of this trench suggests that part of the structure had burnt down in antiquity. Numerous possible post-holes were identified throughout the base of the slot-trench. These varied in shape and had average dimensions of 0.23m by 0.15m by 0.2m deep. Four stake-holes, measuring 0.07m in diameter and 0.14m in depth on average, and areas of packing stones were also evident. Internally several levelling deposits, which created a level floor surface for the structure, were noted. Two internal post-holes and adjoining slot-trenches were also identified and it is likely that these features divided the structure into two rooms whilst also providing support for the roof. Additional roof supports included three stake-holes, identified in the north-western room, and a post-hole identified in the south-eastern room. Three internal pits containing a number of pottery sherds, flint, a quartz crystal flake and hazelnut shells were also identified within the structure confines.

Externally four post-holes and twelve pits were identified. The post-holes were mainly circular in plan with varying dimensions of 0.08–0.2m in diameter and 0.09–0.24m in depth. The pits averaged 0.66m in length, 0.43m in width and 0.2m in depth, with the majority being subcircular in plan. Several sherds of prehistoric pottery, flint and hazelnut shells were recovered from a number of these features, suggesting their contemporaneity with the Neolithic house.

Area B
Excavations in Area B revealed a total of thirteen pits, two post-holes, four curvilinear features and a spread of oxidised material. The majority of pits were subcircular in plan. They measured between 0.28m and 2.25m in length, 0.22m and 1.3m in width and 0.08m and 0.57m in depth, with one producing a rubbing stone, a whetstone and two sherds of prehistoric pottery. The post-holes were both subcircular in plan averaging 0.23m long by 0.2m wide by 0.19m deep, while the curvilinear features averaged 1.66m in length, 0.42m in width and 0.19m in depth. The spread consisted of an irregularly shaped dark-orange/brown clayey silt deposit which measured 1.22m in length by 0.4m in width by 0.05m in depth. It was interpreted as the base of a possible kiln.

Area C
Excavations at Area C revealed a total of five pits and one post-hole of uncertain function. The post-hole measured 0.29m long by 0.25m wide and 0.3m deep and was circular in plan, while the pits were subcircular to subrectangular in plan with varying dimensions of 0.27–0.62m in length, 0.21–0.59m in width and 0.05–0.19m in depth. Their fills contained a small quantity of stone and charcoal.

Area D
Excavations at Area D revealed a small cluster of pits situated in a north-east/south-west-orientated line along the southern site boundary. They were all oval in plan and measured between 0.46m and 0.73m in length, 0.38m and 0.46m in width and 0.09m and 0.15m in depth. Their fills contained a small quantity of stone and charcoal.

Post-medieval activity was also in evidence at Ryleen 2 in the form of a possible ditch, a pit, three post-holes and an area of oxidisation.