2017:231 - Rockspring 2, Wexford

Rockspring 2 was identified as a result of archaeological testing undertaken during the construction phase of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP Scheme. Testing was carried-out in Permanent Fill Area 1 (PFA 1) by IAC Ltd under Registration No. E004781 and Ministerial Direction No. A054 in October 2016. Rockspring 2 was identified as five individual areas containing archaeological features. Excavation was undertaken between 30 January and 3 March 2017.

Area 1 consisted of two rectangular troughs, re-cut by sub-circular troughs containing multiple fills. Stake-holes were cut into the base of the easternmost trough at each of the four corners. A number of stake-holes were also found to surround the trough. The westernmost trough was flanked on its north end by 134 stake-holes grouped into two clusters. Eight pits of varying morphology were recorded within Area 1. Two thin spreads of burnt mound material were encountered in this area. All features, with the exception of four pits, were sealed beneath one or other of these spreads. Both spreads were disturbed by modern drainage.

Area 2 consisted of three troughs, one sub-oval, one rectangular and one bowl-shaped associated with a metalled surface and an area of in-situ burning. To the west of these features were 12 stake-holes and a post-hole, in a scattered pattern. All features were sealed beneath a burnt spread, consisting of three phases of deposition. The primary phase of charcoal-rich heat-shattered stone and clay, followed by a spread of grey brown stony clay and finally another spread of charcoal-rich heat-shattered stone and clay.

Area 3 consisted of 5 troughs, 4 pits, 2 post-holes, a gully and 78 stake-holes, the majority of which was sealed beneath a spread of charcoal-rich black silty clay with heat-shattered stone. The troughs were all sub-rectangular in this area and the recorded gully extended from a large sub-rectangular trough to a slightly smaller one on the northeast edge of site. Two of the troughs had stake-holes recorded on the base in the corners. The four pits recorded here were irregular in shape with undulating bases and backfilled with a single deposit. On the south-west edge of the site were 47 stake-holes in an area 2.2m by 1.8m forming a small circular feature 0.9m in diameter. The large number of stake-holes here possibly represent re-erection of a structure over time. The rest of the stake-holes and the two post-holes were laid out in small arcs possibly representing windbreaks.

Area 4 consisted of a north–south one course high stone wall cut by a north-south field boundary which also cuts through a large thin spread of charcoal-rich burnt mound spread. The spread overlay a large rectangular trough bordered by 66 stake-holes and two post-holes. Of these 60 stake-holes were arranged in two clusters on the north-eastern edge of the trough, indicating reuse of a stake-hole supported structure. The trough also contained seven stake-holes cut at random into the sides and base of the trough. To the north and north-east of this trough were three sub-circular pits, two of which were flanked by a single post-hole. A drain cut through the burnt mound spread just west of the trough.

Area 5 consisted of a very shallow thin spread of black charcoal-rich silty and heat-shattered stone. This is all that remained after disturbance from agricultural activity. Other features within this area consisted of a spread of charcoal-flecked blue grey marl, a north-west/south-east running curvilinear drain, two modern pebble-filled north-west/south-east running drains and an east-west running laneway with rounded stone fill.

Forty artefacts were recovered during the excavation at Rockspring 2 and these included 37 flint artefacts, a sherd of pottery, a stone maul and a metal object. These artefacts will be analysed by the relevant specialists and all reports arising will be incorporated into the final excavation report.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow