County: Wicklow Site name: Tinakelly, Phase 2, Site B, Rathnew
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 22E0213
Author: David McIlreavy
Site type: Bronze Age & post-medieval
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 729373m, N 695688m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.996275, -6.072726
Archaeological testing was undertaken at Tinakelly, Rathnew, Co Wicklow over the course of 5 days from 19 to 25 April 2022, using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. The trenches targeted geophysical anomalies (identified by Nicholls 2022, Licence 22R0023) and open green space to fully investigate the archaeological potential of the site. Testing revealed seven areas of archaeological significance, which have been designated as Archaeological Areas (AA) 1–7. These comprise three discrete pit features (AA1, 3 and 7), two probable Bronze Age barrow features (AA4 and 5), a possible post-medieval kiln feature (AA2) and a post-medieval field division (AA6).
One of the discrete pit features, recorded as Test Trench 6 (AA3), contained a Bronze Age funerary urn. This vessel was block lifted on 4 May 2022 under archaeological supervision, with the contents to be excavated under laboratory conditions.
The two probable barrow features (AA4 and 5) and the pit feature (AA3) containing a Bronze Age funerary urn, represent a significant locus of archaeological activity along the western extent of the proposed development site. The concentration of two barrows and at least one urn deposition may be representative of a previously unrecorded Bronze Age funerary landscape.
The remainder of the areas of archaeological significance consisted of discrete pit features and a post-medieval kiln and field division feature. In relation to the latter feature (AA6) local information suggests that a significant amount of musket balls, which may represent a previously unrecorded military engagement, have been recovered during illegal metal detecting along the western area of the site.
The depth that the archaeological features were recorded below the present ground surface across the site is not considered to be sufficient enough to allow for preservation in situ within a construction environment.
c/o IAC Archaeology, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
