2016:615 - N55 Corduff to South of Killydoon Road Scheme (Phase 2), Cavan

The archaeological assessment of the N55 Road realignment scheme involved the mechanical excavation of test trenches with a combined length of over 8,471 linear metres in green field areas, resulting in a total excavated area of approximately 15,247 sq. metres.

Two areas were found to be unsuitable for test trenching: Phase 2 Areas 6 and 8. Both consisted of areas of wet woodland and waterlogged peat deposits. Previously-felled trees and their associated stumps throughout the two areas combined with the waterlogged ground conditions made these areas unsafe to carry out mechanical excavation of test trenches. Some test-pits were sunk where possible in these areas and no archaeological remains were identified.

The Stage (i) a and c excavation trenches were 1.8m in width and, in general, followed a pattern of longitudinal trenches excavated in parallel with occasional transverse trenches excavated to the limits of the footprint of the scheme. The frequency and pattern of the trenching layout was not prescribed and the testing array varied from one area to another, to take account of local topographic factors. Particular attention was taken in varying the testing array to south-facing slopes, terraces and knolls, soil catchment areas, interfaces between poorly drained ground and higher dry areas, and any field banks or remnant field systems or other earthwork remains. At all locations within the standard test trench array, where archaeological features or deposits were discovered, additional test trenching was applied in order to expose the full horizontal and vertical extent of the archaeological features and deposits, as agreed on site with the Client’s Representative (Engineer) and NRA Archaeologist (Project Archaeologist).

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth