2017:869 - Phase 1 Infrastructure, Archaeological Areas 1-6, Laughanstown & Brenanstown, Dublin 18, Cherrywood SDZ, Dublin

Archaeological excavations were undertaken in the townlands of Laughanstown and Brenanstown, Dublin 18 (Archaeological Areas 1-6), as part of an archaeological mitigation programme carried out prior to the development of Phase 1 Roads and Infrastructure for the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ)(ITM 722521, 723942 (AA1); 722755, 724010 (AA2); 722625, 723869 (AA3); 722871, 723588 (AA4); 723018, 723513 (AA5); 722556, 723861 (AA6).

The excavation of AA1–6 identified a broad range of features ranging in date from the prehistoric through to the medieval and post-medieval periods. These included two areas associated with burnt mound activity (fulachtaí fiadh); an area associated with domestic activity containing a possible structure; an area of ritual activity containing a possible cremation pit, and two areas of industrial activity containing a kiln and charcoal clamps. A number of pits of unknown function were recorded in all archaeological areas, some of these contained modern material, including modern ceramics and are therefore not considered significant to the archaeological record.

Prehistoric activity was focused in the north-western area of the site (AA1 and AA6) and consisted of areas of burnt mound activity, with further evidence for significant activity within the surrounding area spanning the Bronze Age. This included possible cremation activity, dated to the Early/Middle Bronze Age, identified in AA5, Cutting 2 (see below).

Burnt mound activity was recorded in AA1 (Cutting 2) and AA6. AA1 comprised a single trough and two spreads of burnt mound material. Additional archaeological features were identified in close proximity to these features. These included thirteen pits, nine stake-holes and one post-hole. Activity within AA6 comprised the remains of burnt activity consisting of four pits, a trough, four drains, a linear feature and a curvilinear feature.

The only evidence for potential ritual activity returned from the excavation was a possible cremation burial excavated in AA5, Cutting 2. The single shallow pit contained only a very small quantity of burnt bone in addition to three fragments of prehistoric pottery. It is difficult to ascertain whether this isolated cremation pit represented the incomplete and truncated remains of a larger, complete cremation burial, or was instead representative of a small, ritual deposit of burnt bone.

Evidence for industrial activity associated with charcoal production and cereal processing and storage during the medieval period was present in three separate areas across the site. Charcoal clamps were recorded in AA2 and AA3, and a kiln was recorded in AA5, Cutting 1.

Analysis of cereal remains recovered from environmental samples revealed a predominance of barley and oat grains, and indicated an early medieval date for the assemblage. Rye was also present, which is rare for this time period, rye being a high-status crop, however the quantity was so small that it is most likely to be incidental, and does not suggest high-status activity at the site.

The richest samples in terms of cereal remains all came from AA2, from features associated with a possible structure. These deposits, whilst likely to be secondary redepositing of material, were indicative of cereal storage/processing on or near the site. The remains of the possible structure identified in AA2 were defined by an arc of seven post-holes and a gully. The structure had an internal hearth and a second linear feature ran parallel to the drip gully on the opposite side of the structure. Analysis of cereal remains from the structure suggest an early medieval date.

Analysis of environmental remains confirmed the dating of the burnt mound activity to the Bronze Age, and the industrial features to the early medieval/medieval period. In both cases these features contribute to the existing record of significant activity in the wider area during both of these time periods.

c/o IAC Archaeology Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow