County: Dublin Site name: White Pines Central, Stocking Avenue, Dublin 16
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 24E0272
Author: Marc Piera
Site type: Possible burnt mound/fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 718496m, N 731295m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.318645, -6.221498
Archaeological testing was carried out 11 March 2024 at White Pines Central, Stocking Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 to investigate the site prior to development. Four test trenches were excavated across the site, measuring a total of 343 linear meters.
Topsoil consisted of a thin layer of mid-brown clay with moderate gravel. The subsoil generally consists of a light brown clay with small stone inclusions. Nevertheless, shale bedrock was exposed within Trench 3, at the north-east of the site.
Testing revealed one area of archaeological significance, which has been designated as Archaeological Area 1 (AA1). This area comprises two spreads and a pit containing black charcoal-rich clay deposits of heat-shattered burnt stones. This type of deposit is characteristic of burnt mound/fulacht fia activity.
Two stone linear features were identified in Trench 4, each consisting of two rows of small granite stones with a channel at the centre, and cutting the subsoil. These features located to the south-west end and the centre of trench, are interpreted as two modern drains for agricultural purpose.
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