2017:314 - CORBALLY (6), Wexford

Corbally 6 was identified as a result of testing undertaken during the construction phase of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP Scheme. Testing was carried-out in Permanent Fill Area 5 (PFA 5) by IAC Ltd under Registration No. E004781 and Ministerial Direction No. A054 in October 2016. Corbally 6 was identified as four individual areas containing features of archaeological potential. Upon excavation, on 18 April 2017, Area 4 (ITM 701228, 640862) was proven to be non-archaeological and determined to be the result of burrowing activity and root burning related to field clearance.

Three archaeological excavation areas were recorded (Area 1–3). The nearest of these to the medieval enclosure at Corbally 2 & 3 (WX020-117001) was Area 3 which lay 30m to the south. The eastern half of the enclosure is preserved in situ within a construction exclusion zone which was established following recommendations in a desktop assessment report. The archaeological activity recorded at Corbally 6 relates to domestic and industrial activity represented by two kilns and a number of associated pits, post- and stake-holes.

Area 1, located at ITM 701379, 640765 (48.3m OD), comprised four large pits and a burnt spread truncated by modern field drains. Area 2 contained a single kiln, located at ITM 701362, 640896 (49.8m OD). Area 3 was located at ITM 701309, 640964 (45.1m OD) and contained a kiln, 16 pits, 5 post-holes, 3 stake-holes, 2 spreads, a flint scatter, and a hearth. A series of modern land drains crossed Area 1 and Area 3 which appear to relate to modern agricultural activity.

A total of 15 artefacts were recovered during the excavation at Corbally 6. These include a surface scatter of 28 fragments of one flint nodule. The remaining artefacts include six pieces of flint debitage, three struck pieces of quartz, a saddle quern stone and three fragments of quern stones. A sherd of modern pottery was also retrieved from one of the land drains in Area 3.