County: Dublin Site name: Horizon C&E, Harristown & Silloge, Swords
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 22E0037
Author: David Bayley
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 714340m, N 742218m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.417678, -6.279895
Archaeological testing was undertaken to study the impact, if any, on the archaeological and historical resource of a proposed development at Horizon Sites C and E, which are located in Harristown and Silloge townlands, Swords, Co. Dublin. Test trenching was being carried out as part of a pre-planning assessment of the site.
Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of five days from 31 January 2022 using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. The trenches intended to fully investigate the archaeological potential of both sites.
Both areas appear to have suffered from disturbance. In Site C, a compound associated with a different phase of development extended into the test area, and an area of hard standing was noted in the north-east of the test area. In Site E, a large volume of imported material was deposited in the north-eastern part of the test area. A large spoil heap was also noted in the south/central area of the site.
A total of 16 trenches were excavated across the two sections of the proposed development area, measuring 1753 linear metres. Trenches 1-4 were excavated in Horizon Site C. Trenches 5-16 were excavated in Horizon Site E. Testing revealed no areas of archaeological significance.
Trench 5 was excavated across the townland boundary between Harristown and Silloge townlands. The boundary was marked by an open ditch that was c. 1.5m deep. Testing determined that the ditch has been recut and there was evidence of small banks on either side of the ditch. No dating evidence was recovered from the townland boundary.
c/o IAC Archaeology, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
