2017:556 - Greenfield, Drumwood, Chadville, Cauteen, Tipperary

Monitoring of topsoil removal associated with the cable route connecting the permitted Milestone wind farm to Cauteen substation was carried out from September to December 2017. During the course of the monitoring sites and features of archaeological potential were uncovered and subsequently excavated. Two partially exposed burnt spreads were preserved in situ. The full nature and date of some of the features found is not known as many were isolated and did not produce artefactual material to indicate a date for same. Given the presence of a burnt spread (preserved in situ) and associated cut features at Greenfield 3 a Bronze Age date is likely for this site. Similarly, the partially exposed circular structure at Greenfield 5 produced sherds of prehistoric pottery. This coupled with the form of the structure would also suggest a Bronze Age date for the site. The recovery of a small polished stone axe from the topsoil at Drumwood townland may also be indicative of possible Neolithic activity in this area.
Post-excavation analysis of soil samples and any artefacts recovered along the cable route is ongoing. The results will be presented in the final excavation report.

Tobar Archaeological Services, Saleen, Midleton, Co. Cork