County: Wicklow Site name: Kiltegan
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 13E0138
Author: Mark Moraghan
Site type: Prehistoric pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 694227m, N 684487m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.902970, -6.599340
An assessment was carried out on behalf of Anthony D’arcy Limited for a proposed extension to a sand quarry. The site is located on the eastern edge of Kiltegan Village, County Wicklow. The proposed development covers an enclosed area of about 2.5ha. The condition of the ground at the site was pasture/fallow. The topography of the site consisted of a number of small hillocks along the northern edge of the site. The field sloped generally downwards in a southerly direction towards the River Douglas.
A total of 16 test trenches, T1–T16, were excavated using a 16 tonne mechanical excavator with a grading bucket. All trenches were 1.8m wide and varied in length from 130m to 147m. Two prehistoric pits were located in T1 in the north-western corner of the site and were subsequently excavated. Pit 1 measured 2m x 1.6m x 0.2m and contained a single fill. Four pieces of Chalcolithic Beaker pottery (identified by E. Grogan and H. Roche) were recovered from this single fill. A sample of the fill was sent for charcoal remains analysis and was found to be hazel (Corylus avellana) (identified by Ellen O'Carroll). The hazel charcoal from the fill was chosen for AMS dating. The charcoal returned an AMS result of 4058+/-30 BP (UBA 23799). The 2 Sigma calibrated result for this was 2838–2483 BC. This date confirms a Late Neolithic/Beaker (Chalcolithic) date for this pit.
The second pit measured 0.9m x 0.6m x 0.1m and contained a single fill. No artefacts were recovered from this pit. A sample of the fill was sent for charcoal remains analysis and was found to be alder (Alnus glutinosa)/hazel (identified by Dr O'Carroll). The alder/hazel charcoal from fill C6 was chosen for AMS dating. The charcoal returned an AMS result of 4439+/-33 BP (UBA 23800). The 2 Sigma calibrated result for this was 3331–2929 BC. This date confirms a Neolithic date for this pit.
No other archaeological deposits or features were identified during the testing.
Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy Ltd, 65 Mountain View Drive, Boghall Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
