2021:372 - Coldwinters, Dublin

Archaeological test trenching carried out at this site in October 2017 at a pre-planning stage, under licence 17E0436, successfully identified archaeological features on site, including a feature accounting for monument DU014-015, a kiln, and a post-hole.
As the development of the site would directly impact all archaeological features identified, preservation by record was recommended and carried out in November 2018. In addition, monitoring of the southern portion of the site took also place. This was carried out in October 2021 by Derek Gallagher of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit (ACSU) under an extension to licence 17E0436. No additional features were exposed and all archaeological works were completed.
In the course of investigations, all the features identified were fully excavated. The features were identified in the northern part of the site. Two areas were stripped of topsoil, one measuring roughly 17m by 21m centred around the circular feature/slot trench C03; the other measuring 11m by 12m and opened up around the kiln C14. The circular slot trench C03 accounted for the monument DU014-015 and measured between 0.42m to 0.88m in width; it had an external diameter of 10.1m, enclosing an area of 8.4m. Its upper extent was heavily truncated and the feature measured between 0.11m to 0.32m in depth. It was filled by four deposits that contained animal bone, shell fragments and charcoal inclusions. The animal bone samples retrieved were analysed and consisted of horse, cow and sheep/goat remains. A small fragment of blue glass (17E0436:04:01) was also recovered. The apparent entrance at the west side of C03 is likely the result of the initial test trench removing this part of the feature. It should be mentioned that the Cambridge aerial photograph of the feature shows it as a complete circle with no gap that could indicate the entrance. The feature was interpreted as representing a possible dwelling/roundhouse; however, this interpretation remains tentative. The kiln C14 and associated post-hole C21 were excavated in the north-eastern portion of the site. The kiln measured 3.2m in length by 1.3m in width, and the firing bowl had a depth of 0.45m, while the drying chamber had a depth of 0.3m. Within the kiln, 11 deposits were recorded. A burnt flint thumbnail scraper (17E0436:17:1) was recovered from the kiln. A sample of alder charcoal (0.05g) recovered from a charcoal-rich deposit (C18; Sample 8) in the firing bowl of the kiln C14, returned a date of 840 +/- 30 BP, giving a 2sigma calibrated date range of 1050-1270 AD (ICA ID20C/0406) and placing the feature in the medieval period. Due to its nature, this deposit represents the final burning in the kiln and marks the time when the kiln went out of use. The post-hole C21 was located on the southern edge of kiln C14. It measured 0.26m in diameter and was c. 0.22m deep, and was likely contemporary with the kiln. The kiln was interpreted as an irregular figure-of-eight shaped kiln of medieval date with associated post-hole.
All archaeological features exposed on site were excavated and preserved by record (fully excavated). No further archaeological mitigation is required.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth