2012:426 - Faughart Lower, Louth

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Louth Site name: Faughart Lower

Sites and Monuments Record No.: LH007-015 Licence number: 12E217

Author: Faith Bailey

Site type: No archaeological significance

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 705558m, N 810489m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.032774, -6.388675

Geophysical survey and archaeological testing were carried out at a proposed development area to the north of Dundalk town as part of a planning application. A fulacht fiadh (LH007-015) is located within the proposed development area, with an additional nine recorded sites located within c. 1km. Archaeological investigations within the surrounding area have also revealed the presence of a large Bronze Age cemetery to the west-north-west of the development area and a previously unidentified ringfort c. 350m to the south-west.
Geophysical survey of the development area identified a number of potential archaeological anomalies, including the possible remains of a fulacht fiadh and a number of potential pits. Testing aimed to assess these potential anomalies as well as the remainder of the proposed development area. Testing took place on 28 June 2012, using a 20-tonne machine equipped with a flat, toothless bucket under supervision. A total of 383 linear metres were excavated. The potential anomalies were found to be geological in origin and of no archaeological significance. One oval area of burning was identified in Trench 7. However, post-medieval pottery was identified within the shallow deposit, as well as a large amount of wood and twigs. This has been interpreted as a post-medieval episode of land clearance and not the remains of a Bronze Age fulacht fiadh. No other evidence of a fulacht fiadh was identified within the proposed development area. However, one possible archaeological artefact was recovered from Trench 4. This consists of a stone axe ‘rough out’, which was retrieved from the peaty topsoil. It has been sent for specialist analysis.

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