2010:840 - IDA Lands, Killincarrig, Wicklow

An assessment, including geophysical survey (licence 10R0008) and testing, was undertaken in advance of the construction of a distribution road at IDA Lands, Killincarrig, Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Test-trenching took place from 26 January 2010, using a 20-tonne mechanical excavator equipped with a flat, toothless bucket. A total of 23 test-trenches (totalling 603 linear metres) were excavated across the proposed development area. The development area is currently formed by a large greenfield area located to the immediate east of the recently constructed Greystones relief road (R762).
The area of proposed development is located within a landscape rich in archaeological remains. It is clear that the area was subject to intense activity during the prehistoric period, especially during the Bronze Age. Indeed the closest archaeological remains to the area of proposed development consist of a large Bronze Age site located between 90m and 125m to the north-north-east (WI013–086 and WI013–085).
The archaeology uncovered on-site was all located on the higher ground where the ground level slopes away to the north and east. The remains on-site were spread over an area measuring 55m east–west by 25m. The archaeological features appeared to be clustered in two areas along the east–west-orientated section of the proposed road. The nature of the features (i.e. possible pits, post-holes, stake-holes and hearths) suggests that they represent the remains of a habitation site. The shallow nature of the features and the presence of several plough furrows indicate that the features have been heavily truncated by agricultural activity.
The pottery uncovered from one of the features suggests a prehistoric date for the site. It is very possible that remains continue outside of the route corridor to the north and may form a part of the Bronze Age site excavated between 90m and 125m to the north-north-east (WI013–086 and WI013–085).
Nothing of archaeological significance was noted in the north–south section of the proposed road. The geophysical survey suggested the presence of a substantial linear feature within this area, along with a number of potential archaeological features and trends, but nothing of archaeological significance was identified during testing. This would suggest that natural geology such as sand, gravel and stones, which were apparent within the subsoil through the testing exercise, were responsible for these anomalies.
The site was excavated in March 2010 by Yvonne Whitty under the same licence (see No. 841 below).