2012:627 - Site 34-2 and 3 Greatisland, Wexford

Site 34-2 and 3 Greatisland was discovered during monitoring of topsoil stripping for the Bord Gáis Networks Gas to Great Island scheme (above No. 334, 12E0356). Area 34-2 contained burnt stone spreads, a trough and a pit and Area 34-3 burnt stone spreads, a trough, five pits, a pit/post-hole, a gully and twenty stake-holes.

The trough in Area 34-2 was sub-rectangular, oriented south-west to north-east and measured 3.83m by 1.3m and was 0.6m deep. A large piece of dugout tree trunk measuring approximately 3.3m by 0.8-0.9m by 0.35-0.4m deep with a bowed profile formed the trough and has been retained for analysis and potentially for conservation. The upper trough fill yielded burnt bone fragments. A pit was located 5.4m south-west of the trough, was also sub-rectangular, measured 1.5m by 0.7m and was 0.34m deep.

A deposit of dark brown to black clayey silt with frequent inclusions of charcoal and heat-shattered stones was possibly contemporary with the trough and pit and was located at the western edge of the site and continuing beyond the limit of excavation. The oval deposit measured 2m by 1.8m and was 0.4m thick.

An irregular burnt stone spread consisting of three deposits overlay the trough, pit and deposit described above. The spread was somewhat disturbed and survived as one large area measuring approximately 23m by 18m, 0.35m thick, with several outlying patches. The spread continued beyond the limit of excavation to the west.

In Area 34-3 a trough, pit, stake-holes and a possible post-hole were sealed beneath a burnt stone spread. Three other pits were recorded beyond the limit of the burnt stone spread. The trough was sub-rectangular with its long axis orientated north-west to south-east, had steep sides and a flat base and measured 1.7m by 1.4m by 0.3m. Eleven stake-holes were cut into the corners and middle of the base of the trough and it is likely that these stake-holes represent a trough lining or superstructure. The main fill of the trough contained a possible polished stone. Scatters of stake-holes recorded around the outside of the trough may represent an associated windbreak or rack.

A possible post-hole and pit were recorded east of the trough. The oval post-hole measured 0.3m by 0.15m by 0.16m and the pit had an irregular sub-linear shape, was 2.1 m long, 0.98m wide and 0.37m deep.

The burnt stone deposit was crescent-shaped, measured 6.4m north to south by 3.76m and was 0.15m thick, composed of moderately compact dark brown to black clayey silt with frequent inclusions of burnt stone and charcoal.

Three other pits may have been contemporary as they also contained burnt stone deposits. Two of the pits were oval measuring 0.7m by 0.63m by 0.07m and 1.3m by 1m by 0.14m and the third pit was sub-rectangular with a flat base and measured 1.65m by 1.15m by 0.3m.

TVAS (IRELAND) LTD, AHISH, BALLINRUAN, CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE