2017:165 - Riverview 2, Wexford

Riverview 2 was identified as a result of archaeological monitoring of ground works during the construction stage of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP Scheme. Monitoring was carried out in 18 previously untested areas under Excavation Registration Number E004646 and Ministerial Direction A054. The archaeological excavation at Riverview 2 revealed two spreads of burnt mound material, a trough and an area of in situ burning.

The site was situated towards the base of a small hill allowing for layers of colluvium to build up and partially seal the archaeology on site. The larger burnt spread consisted of a sub-rectangular deposit (2.3m by 1.5m) overlying a heavily compacted layer of silt. To the north-west of this was the remains of a sub-oval burnt spread (1.6m by 1.14m) overlying a layer of silt formed by natural process. Approximately 6m to the west of these spreads the remains of a thin (0.03m) reddish clay layer representing an area of in situ burning (0.9m by 0.8m) was recorded.

To the south-west of the burnt spreads the remains of a sub-oval trough was excavated, revealing two phases of use. The primary phase includes the excavation of the trough and lining the base with a clay deposit. Some heavily degraded evidence for wood lining was also recorded on the base of the original cut. The trough appears to have been deliberately backfilled with a thin deposit of burnt mound material. Subsequent to this it appears to have been abandoned for a period with evidence of natural silting along the edges. A second phase of use is indicated by a re-cutting of the trough into a sub-rectangular pit with a concave base. This second and final phase of use was concluded by the deliberate backfilling of the trough with a deposit of burnt mound material. The feature was partially sealed by a layer of colluvium.

A small assemblage of five flint artefacts were recovered during the excavation at Riverview 2.

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