County: Dublin Site name: Beaverstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 14E0419
Author: Dominic Delany
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 722227m, N 750816m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.493139, -6.157969
Testing was carried out on a proposed residential development site at Turvey Avenue, Donabate, Co. Dublin on 3 November 2014. The testing was in response to recommendations contained in a geophysical report (McCarthy, 2014). Two test trenches (L 30m) were targeted on curvilinear anomalies identified by geophysics. The source of the anomalies was not established but it is possible, as had been suggested in the geophysics report, that the anomalies may relate to recent agricultural activity as evidenced by deep wheel ruts and cultivation ridge and furrow visible on the field surface. A geological source is also possible and the anomalies may relate to bands of rock outcrop uncovered during testing.
Monitoring of topsoil strip for Phase 1 of the proposed development was carried out on 25 November 2014. Grey/brown sandy silt topsoil (Depth 0.25m) overlay yellow/brown silty sand subsoil. The soil was quite sterile and the only finds were a couple of modern pottery sherds. Some flint nodules were found but no flakes or worked pieces were present. All future phases of topsoil strip at the site shall be subject to monitoring.
Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway
