County: Dublin Site name: Huntstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 23E0872
Author: Donald Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Site type: Enclosed settlement
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 711800m, N 740999m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.407272, -6.318520
Archaeological test trenching was carried out in compliance with the approved method statement. The location of the test trenches was informed by the footprint of the proposed development and associated groundworks.
A total of 24 test trenches were excavated, each measuring 1.8m in width. In total, 979m of linear trenches were excavated. The test trenches were excavated down to the natural subsoil which varied throughout the site but generally comprised of a mid-orangish brown clay with occasional small sub-angular stones. Towards the top of the hill near an area previously quarried, the natural contained a grey sandy gravel and pockets of pebbles and small areas of a compacted light blueish-grey clay. A total of 36 features were identified during test trenching, consisting of linear and pit features. Due to the quantity and extent of these features, interpretation is based on a combination of the results from testing as well as the
results of the geophysical investigation carried out at the site. Of note is C1201 which was orientated east to west and was previously identified during the geophysical survey. It is interpreted here as a ditch that enclosed a possible habitation site located at the summit of the hill.
The linear and pit features found on the southern slope of the hill are considered to be part of potential field systems associated with the enclosed settlement. A section of C1903 revealed a ditch measuring 4m in width and with a depth of 1.2m. The ditch features a step or shelf measuring 2m in width before dropping off to the base. This feature also appears to be the same as C1902. The size and location of this feature suggest a substantially large ditch was used to demarcate the outer boundary of the fields used by the settlement.
While no diagnostic artefacts were recovered during testing, the absence of pottery combined with the interpretation of an enclosing ditch at the summit of the hilltop suggests the presence of an early medieval enclosed settlement and associated field systems to the south.
The development as proposed will have a direct impact on the identified archaeology and as preservation in situ is not an option, mitigation can only be achieved through archaeological excavation. It is recommended that all
features of archaeological significance should be resolved prior to the commencement of any construction works within the site.
Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
