2025:741 - Belinstown, Dublin

Archaeological excavation was carried out on a proposed development site at Batter Lane, Belinstown, Co. Dublin, between 25 March and 2 May 2025. The excavation followed on from the discovery of a ring ditch and urn burial during archaeological monitoring of topsoil removal at the site on 13 March 2025. The monument (diam. 13.5m) was defined by an impressive ditch with steeply-sloping sides and a narrow, generally flat base (Wth. 2.25m at top, 0.4m at base; Depth 1.45m). There was evidence of slump on the inner and outer edges of the ditch suggesting the monument may originally have consisted of an internal mound enclosed by a ditch and external bank, a classic ring barrow. At the centre of the enclosure there was an urn burial consisting of the inverted remains of a decorated Bronze Age cordoned urn containing a substantial quantity of cremated human bone and fragmentary remains of a bronze knife or dagger. Fragmentary remains of a second urn were found in the lower part of the ditch suggesting a possible second urn burial, perhaps a later burial that was inserted into the central mound. Sizeable concentrations of cremated bone in other parts of the ditch may be indicative of further burials at the site. It is clear the monument was re-used over an extended period of time for the ditch preserved evidence of at least two recuts, the second of which was defined by a layer of burnt soil which extended around the south-west half of the ditch. Broken antler picks, presumably used in the excavation of the ditch, were found at the base of this cut. The uppermost fill within the ditch contained iron smelting slag indicating post-Bronze Age activity at the site.