Ring-ditch

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in tillage on the edge of the broad crest of a ridge, with extensive views in all directions. The sea is in view to the E and the Broadmeadow river estuary lies to the S. First identified in a geophysical survey in 2005 along with a burnt mound (DU012-086----) at the base of the slope to the S in the same field. Another burnt mound (DU012-087----) was identified in that geophysical survey in the adjoining field to the SW (Baker, 2006a; Frazer 2007a). Test excavations were carried out at the site in in 2006 (Licence No. O6E0027) and the ring-ditch was fully excavated in 2017 in advance of the construction of the Donabate Distributor Road by Liam Coen working with Archer Heritage Planning (Licence No. 17E0407). The site consists of a circular area (diam c. 16m) defined by an enclosing fosse which was recut. The first phase of activity consisted of the excavation of a ring-ditch defined by a broad, fairly deep v-shaped fosse. The fill of this was largely undifferentiated, comprising of a sterile fill which gave the appearance of having been backfilled very quickly after having been dug – there was no silting at the base. The upper ring-ditch which was recut into the earlier fosse was a shallow u-shaped fosse, filled with a darker, charcoal-rich fill with an entrance to the E. This was defined by two rounded terminals with a single central post pit at the center. No features were recorded in the interior. A stone bead with a central waist somewhat reminiscent of a dumbbell bead, some lithics and burnt bone were recovered from the upper ditch fill.

Compiled by: Margaret Keane

Uploaded on: 15 November 2017

References

Frazer, W. 2007a Archaeological assessment, Donabate Local Area Plan, Ballalease North, Ballymastone, Portraine, Ballisk Lands, Co. Dublin (Licence no. 07E00650). Unpublished report. National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Baker, C. 2006a Archaeological assessment, Donabate Local Area Plan, Ballymastone, Corballis Lands, Donabate, Co. Dublin (Licence no. 06E0027). Unpublished report. National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.