2022:438 - Dublin Airport Logistic Park (DALP), Newtown, Dublin

A limited testing programme was undertaken within a large greenfield site at Newtown, Co. Dublin to the north of the Dublin Airport Logistic Park (DALP), as recommended in a pre-planning archaeological impact assessment report (Corbett and Waters 2019). It followed a geophysical survey (Nicholls 2020, Licence No. 20R0235). Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of five days from 22 to 26 November 2021. The investigation comprised the excavation of 16 trenches measuring 153 linear metres in total, of which 15 were hand excavated and one was mechanically excavated. These trenches assessed the nature and extent of the archaeological resource, targeted on a number of key areas of archaeological potential recorded in the RMP and identified by the desktop assessment and geophysical survey.

The site consists of a gently undulating arable field that was unseeded at the time of investigation. The proposed development area includes five recorded archaeological sites, namely enclosure DU014-007, ringfort DU014-097 and three ring ditches DU014-100, DU014-134 and DU014-135. Geophysical survey and consultation with the ASI confirmed that site DU014-097 is a duplication of site DU014-007 and does not represent a separate archaeological site. In addition to these sites a further 16 features of archaeological potential (possible ring ditches, a sub-circular enclosure, a rectilinear enclosure and a relict field system) were identified by the desktop survey, geophysical survey and further consultation of the available satellite imagery.

Testing targeted three RMP sites (DU014-007, DU014-100 and DU014-134) and four of the recently identified areas of archaeological potential within the southern portion of the proposed development area. It confirmed the presence of the undated circular enclosure DU014-007 (AA1); four prehistoric ring ditches within (DU014-100 [AA3], DU014-134 [AA2], AA4 and AA6); a rectangular structure of probable prehistoric date (AA5); and a prehistoric cremation pit (AA7). Fragments of prehistoric pottery, a heat-affected flint thumb scraper and environmental samples of charcoal-rich soil, burnt bone, animal bone and antler were retrieved from investigated features. All archaeological features were recorded, surveyed and covered in heavy grade polythene before the trenches were backfilled. The lack of archaeological features identified in Trench 16 confirmed that the feature identified as DU014-097 should no longer be considered a recorded monument.

c/o IAC Archaeology Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow