County: Kildare Site name: Mariavilla, Maynooth
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 17E0208
Author: Tim Coughlan, IAC Ltd
Site type: Ring-ditches and cremation pits?
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 693717m, N 738242m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.386022, -6.591209
A programme of archaeological testing was undertaken at Mariavilla, Co. Kildare in order to inform the Cultural Heritage chapter of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
A geophysical survey was carried out on this site in advance of test trenching by J.M. Leigh Surveys Ltd (Licence 17R0066). This involved a detailed gradiometer survey over an area measuring c. 19ha. The survey identified two clear archaeological features: a circular ditched enclosure, measuring c. 30m in diameter with an entrance-way in the east in the northern area of the proposed development and a smaller 7m diameter circular response was noted 13m east of the entrance to the larger enclosure suggesting a second ditched enclosure. A further spread of increased response was noted 13m to the east of this again, possibly representing a cluster of large pits, or possibly a small pond feature. These features and any features of archaeological potential were subsequently investigated during testing.
Sixty-three test trenches were excavated within the area of proposed development totalling 3,516 linear metres and covering 6,328 metres squared of the proposed development area. The proposed development area comprised a total of 211,427m squared; however, not all of this was tested owing to local topography and ground conditions. The area south of the Lyreen River was not examined owing to the steep slope as well as previous construction and associated disturbance. An area c. 98,000m squared was deemed suitable for testing. The investigated area c. 6328m squared accounts for c. 6.4% of the total suitable development area.
A total of three areas of potential archaeological significance were identified during the testing programme. These are labelled Archaeological Areas (AA) 1-3. The activity revealed included two linear features and two circular features interpreted as potential ring-ditches as well as over ten separate areas of localised burning some of which may be cremation pits. These features were apparent as positive responses or magnetic anomalies in the geophysical survey.
Ground works associated with construction of the proposed residential units and access roads will have a significant direct negative impact on the potential archaeological features identified in AA1-3.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
