2023:866 - Shanganagh, Dublin
County: Dublin
Site name: Shanganagh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 23E0758
Author: Chris Coffey & Paul Duffy
Author/Organisation Address: c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
Site type: Enclosures, ringditch, burnt mound, pits
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 725826m, N 721230m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.226549, -6.115527
Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of 5 days from 18 September 2023 using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. The trenches targeted a series of geophysical anomalies and open green space to fully investigate the archaeological potential of the site. Testing revealed five areas of archaeological significance. These comprise:
A sub-circular enclosure c. 45m in external diameter and encircling several pits and smaller features. A large, sub-circular spread of dark soil with some charcoal inclusion was identified immediately to the south of this enclosure while a series of narrow linear features criss-crossing the area were found to variously pre-and post-date the enclosure. These linear features form part of a field system, at least some of which might pre-date the enclosure, though further excavation would be required to confirm this. Finds of animal bone and struck flint from the enclosure and a fragment of struck flint with edge wear from one of the linear features present the only dateable material retrieved. A probable cereal-drying kiln of indeterminate date was identified 25m southwest of the enclosure. A large oval pit 22m to the southwest is also included in this area.
AA2: a ring-ditch, an external pit and at least four small pits (possible cremation pits) enclosed by the ditch c. 12m in diameter and associated bank which enclose a central cluster of pits that may represent cremation pits.
AA3: a probable trough associated with possible burnt mound activity in the southeast of the proposed development area. No sign of the mound material survives.
AA4: a sub-circular enclosure c. 35m in diameter in the southeast of the proposed development area.
AA5: several pits in the northwest of the site relating to clay extraction and brick manufacture dating, most likely, to the 18th century. In addition to these archaeological features, a series of shallow and sterile pits as well as some shallow linear features of indeterminate date were identified. Many of these pits may represent non-archaeological processes such as the filling of natural depressions, stone sockets or tree bowls with ploughzone material. Some of these linear features may represent post-medieval plough furrows.