County: Dublin Site name: Grange Castle South Business Park, Ballybane/Aungierstown & Ballybane, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU021-109 Licence number: 18E0292 Ext
Author: James Hession
Site type: Burnt mounds and medieval ditch and pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 703105m, N 730807m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.317480, -6.452560
Archaeological monitoring and excavation was undertaken at the site of a proposed development in the townlands of Ballybane/Aungierstown and Ballybane in Grange Castle South Business Park, Dublin 22, during 2019.
The proposed development site was divided into two phases. Monitoring of topsoil stripping across the majority of the Phase 1 lands was carried out from 1 to 19 July 2019 under an extension to licence 18E0292 (2018:458).
Eight features of archaeological significance were identified consisting of three pits of uncertain date, a stake-hole, two medieval ditches, a post-medieval field drain and the remnants/gateposts of a post-medieval field boundary gate/entrance. These features were fully excavated between 15 and 19 July 2019.
Test trenching and the remaining topsoil stripping of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 lands took place from 4 to 13 December 2019. 18 features of archaeological significance were identified consisting of two isolated prehistoric pits and the ploughed-out remnants of three burnt mounds/fulachtaí fia and their associated features.
The first burnt mound consisted of three deposits of burnt mound material, one trough, one pit, one curvilinear feature and a former field boundary ditch. This site was preserved in situ. The second burnt mound site consisted of a small deposit of burnt mound material, three pits, three stake-holes, two troughs and one possible well. These archaeological features were fully resolved from the 16 to 20 December 2019. The third burnt mound consisting of a deposit of burnt mound material and a possible trough was also preserved in situ.
The two isolated pits consisted of a tree-throw hole that was subsequently altered to accommodate a later sub-oval shaped pit. The main fill of the later pit suggested it may have been used as an earth oven.
Post-excavation work is ongoing.
Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd. Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork.
