2012:632 - Ramstown Lower and Gorey Corporation Lands, Wexford

A programme of monitoring was carried out as part of the construction of a proposed shopping centre at Gorey, Co. Wexford. Monitoring was required in planning conditions which were attached to the development by An Bord Pleanála. A total of seven areas of archaeological potential were identified during monitoring (Areas A-G). All of these, with the exception of Area E, were located within the townland of Ramstown Lower. Area E was located within Gorey Corporation Lands. The identified areas were subject to excavation during November 2012.

Area A (NGR 315126 159112) consisted of an isolated pit, which was the southernmost feature within the development area and located c. 18m south of Area G. It was located at the top of the western slope of a small stream valley, which ran through the development area in a roughly east-west direction. The pit was oval in plan and measured 1.32m by 1.4m with a depth of 0.28m. It contained one fill, which included heat-affected stone. It was likely associated with the burnt mound activity located within the immediate area.

Area B (NGR 315035 159138) consisted of a substantial burnt mound or fulacht fiadh, which was located c. 5m south-west of Area C. It occupied the southern side of the small stream valley and was covered by a substantial amount of silt. As a result, the mound material was intact and had not been impacted upon by later agricultural practices. The mound measured 20m east-north-east/west-south-west by 11m with a maximum depth of 0.83m. It was oval in plan and several separate layers of heat-affected stones were identified in the mound itself. It sealed one trough and a large, irregular feature. The trough was located at the centre of the mound and was roughly oval in plan. It measured 2.25m by 1.63m and was 0.21m deep, with evidence for in situ burning identified on the south-western side. It contained four fills, all of which contained a large amount of heat-affected stone. There were a total of 24 stake-holes located on the northern side of the trough. Some of these possessed multiple cuts and were filled by charcoal-rich soils. The high water table at the site, as well as the presence of running water (associated with the former stream) made excavation of Area B very difficult. The eastern feature may represent an additional trough, but was very irregular. The eastern side was found to be cut through an earlier redeposited natural, with evidence for in situ burning noted along the edge of the cut. The south-western side of the feature consisted of a shallow cut, whilst the north-western side of the feature was found not to be defined by a cut. It therefore seems unlikely that the purpose of the feature was to hold water. No stake-holes were identified in association with this feature. It is probable that the mound dates to the Bronze Age period. Post-excavation analysis will include C14 dating.

Area C (NGR 315051 159147) was located c. 5m north-east of Area B at the base of the small valley. It consisted of a roughly circular deposit of burnt mound material, which measured 8.8m east-west by 7.8m. It possessed a maximum depth of 0.12m. It was truncated by a post-medieval drain, which contained a large stone. No features were identified as being sealed by the mound material.

Area D (NGR 314996 159130) consisted of another large and relatively intact burnt mound or fulacht fiadh, which was located c. 23m west-south-west of Area B and 5m east-north-east of Area F. As with Area A, it was located on the southern slope of the small stream valley. The mound measured 14m east-north-east/west-south-west by 11m with a maximum depth of 0.45m. It sealed a large, sub-circular trough, which contained two fills. The main basal fill consisted of c. 90% stone with moderate charcoal inclusions. Excavating the trough was very difficult due to the high water table. After it was fully excavated the feature disappeared beneath the water on site. The trough was cut by a smaller, circular pit, which also contained a high degree of stone. Four possible stake-holes were identified on the southern side of the trough. No other features were identified beneath the mound material.

Area E (NGR 314952 159218) was the only feature located within the Gorey Corporation Lands and the northernmost archaeological feature within the development area. It consisted of a ‘key-hole’-shaped kiln, which measured 3.05m north-south by 1.41m. It had a maximum depth of 0.35m at its northern end. The cut contained four fills, two of which contained a large amount of charcoal. There was also evidence for in situ burning within the feature. It is likely that this feature is medieval in date and relates to settlement located outside of the proposed development area. It is not unusual to identify kilns away from domestic settlements, as it minimised the risk of fire.

Area F (NGR 314980 159121) consisted of a rectangular spread of burnt mound material located c. 5m west-south-west of Area D. This measured 10m east-north-east/west-south-west by 5.5m. It had a maximum depth of 0.25m. The material was rich in heat-affected stone with moderate charcoal inclusions. No features were identified beneath the mound material. It is likely that the deposition of this spread relates to the activity in Area D.

Area G (NGR 315122 159134) consisted of further burnt mound activity, which was located c. 18m north of Area A and 72m east of Area B. Excavation in this area was restricted due to health and safety. The edge of a burnt mound was identified below the haulage road established on site for the movement of spoil. An area measuring 8.2m west-north-west/east-south-east by 5m was exposed. It was not possible to move further to the south-west due to the presence of a drain, which carries the former stream that ran through the valley. Movement to the north-east and south was restricted by the presence of the haulage road. The burnt mound deposit possessed a maximum depth of 0.42m. No additional features were identified beneath the deposit. However, any associated remains in this area will be preserved in situ due to the raising of the site level.

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