County: Dublin Site name: Baldonnell (Site 7), Brownsbarn
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 18E0186
Author: David McIlreavy, IAC Ltd
Site type: Mesolithic deposition site
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 703530m, N 728350m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.295324, -6.446985
Excavations were conducted at Baldonnell Site 7, Brownsbarn following discovery during monitoring of construction of a warehouse complex. Investigations across site followed on from a programme of testing and geophysical survey undertaken in 2000 and 2009 around a potential ringfort site DU021-021 (O’Neill 2000; Harrison 2009, Licence 09R0161; Moriarty 2009, Licence 09E0420). These investigations failed to identify evidence of archaeological remains corresponding to the ringfort, and record DU021-021 was declared redundant.
Five archaeological sites considered to be burnt spread features were identified to the west of investigations centred around the site of DU021-021. The five sites (DU021-98-99, 100, 101, 102; Moriarty 09E0420) were considered to be part of the same activity.
Subsequent monitoring works were conducted in 2017 across the development area by IAC Ltd (Duffy and McIlreavy 2019, Licence 17E0382) which revealed a significant concentration of possible archaeological features at the south-western extent of the site. These features included a section of a curvilinear enclosure feature, additional curvilinear enclosure features, metalled surfaces, a number of burnt spreads, possible pits and post-holes. The primary enclosure feature within this area was considered to be consistent with that formerly assigned DU021-021. This area was designated Site 1.
Ten other archaeological sites were discovered as a result of monitoring across the development site. Eight of these sites were categorised as burnt spreads, and two as deposition areas. All ten sites were subsequently excavated (Licences 18E0183, 18E0184, 18E0185, 18E0186, 18E0187, 18E0223, 18E0244, and 18E0247).
Site 7 comprised a deposition area for 38 probable Late Mesolithic struck flints within the fringes of a waterlogged area.The identification of 39 pieces of Later Mesolithic flint at Site 7 is a significant regional discovery. Due to the lack of debitage elements in the immediate area, the flint items must be regarded as a deliberate deposition event.
Post-excavation analyses are ongoing.
Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
