2011:216 - JAMESTOWN, Dublin

A range of archaeological features were identified during monitoring undertaken in 2011 by Ciara McCarthy of Arch-Tech Ltd in advance of the development of a proposed all-weather sports facility. The site was located within the townland of Jamestown, Stepaside, Co. Dublin, and was split into three areas. IAC Ltd carried out the excavation of the site.
The principal features of Area A included several large spreads of archaeological material, several large pits, post-holes and numerous stake-holes. A charcoal sample from a pit and another from a post-hole returned Late Bronze Age dates of 1051910 BC and 1113900 BC respectively. Predominantly Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age pottery and Beaker wares were recovered from the site.
In Area B a ring-ditch and a number of pits, hearths and post-holes extended over an area measuring 17m by 12m. Iron Age dates were returned from samples from the ring-ditch and a hearth (1961 BC and AD 258416 respectively). Osteoarchaeological analysis of the cremated bone revealed that the remains of at least one individual (undetermined age or sex) were deposited along the base of the ring-ditch. The remains were highly fragmented, with over 90% measuring less than 5mm, and appeared to be expertly cremated. A fragment from a Late Bronze Age/Iron Age copper-alloy ring was also retrieved from the ring-ditch.
In Area C two pits, a hearth and a number of post-holes were excavated over an area measuring 18m by 12m. An Iron Age date of 404235 BC was returned from one of the post-holes on the site.
A cist burial (DU026-015) was discovered in 1926 to the immediate north-east of the area of proposed development. The cist burial was accompanied by an encrusted urn. It is likely that the two sites are related and represent funerary activity over a long period during prehistory.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow