2022:045 - Kilshane, Dublin

The site was excavated pre-planning in advance of a warehouse development, off Kilshane Avenue, in the Northwest Logistics Park, Ballycoolin, Co. Dublin. The excavation followed an archaeological assessment including geophysical survey carried out in June 2021 and archaeological testing carried out in June-July 2021, followed by consultation with the National Monuments Service (NMS) of the DHLGH to discuss an appropriate archaeological mitigation strategy.

The geophysical survey identified a possible D-shaped enclosure and adjacent sub-circular enclosure which appeared to be associated. At both the eastern and western extents of the survey area there were also responses indicative of rectilinear enclosures. Testing confirmed the presence of the four enclosures indicated in the geophysical survey and that they were of archaeological interest. The current phase of excavation focused on one of the enclosures, with the remaining sites being excavated  in a second phase under a separate licence (22E0045).

The archaeological excavation took place over five months from 13^th September 2021 to 18^th February 2022 with a team of up to 16 archaeologists.

Site C comprised a large rectangular ditched enclosure, the eastern side of which lay outside the excavation area. The enclosure was oriented north-east/south-west and measured 44m north-east/south-west internally by at least 37m. The ditch ranged from 2.5–4m in width and 0.8–2.4m in depth; a narrow entrance was identified on the southern side of the enclosure. The ditch was deepest to the west of the entranceway and this area may have also functioned as a well. Additional features comprised pits, gullies and a disturbed area of burning. Finds recovered during the excavation include a fragment of a jet-like bracelet, a fragment of a polished stone axe and several flint artefacts. Environmental material recovered include animal bone, charcoal, charred cereals and the pointed base of a waterlogged wooden post from the ditch next to the entrance.

Site D comprised two pits, a shallow linear ditch and a very large and deep pit. The pit, which measured 6.05m x 7.62m x 1.68m deep, appears to have functioned as a waterhole and a small amount of medieval pottery was recovered from its fills. The two pits contained charcoal and charred cereal and at least one of them represented the truncated remains of a cereal drying kiln. A fragment of a copper-alloy pin was recovered from the linear feature.

Radiocarbon dating of samples retrieved from both sites C and D places them in the early medieval period, between the late 7th – late 9th / 10th Centuries, with activity at both sites between the mid 11th – late 12th/mid 13th Centuries also. A pit on Site C dated to the early Bronze Age is evidence of activity predating the ditched enclosure.

Site E comprised linear ditches, gullies and drains forming part of a field system which appeared to be relatively modern in date.

Following completion of the excavation, monitoring of topsoil removal in the remainder of the development area was also carried out and no further features, deposits or finds of an archaeological nature were identified.

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