Pit

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture 245m E of the townland boundary with Rathcannon and 90m N of a stream. Not depicted on OSi historic mapping. Identified as pits and associated metalled surface (BGE 3/76/10) in 2002 by Ken Wiggins (Licence 02E0119) during topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West. Excavated in 2002 by Brian Halpin under licence No. 02E0524 the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘A series of pits and a small metalled surface were also found. The site encompasses an area measuring 8m east-west by 14.6m. The metalled surface measured 3.6m east-west by 4m with a maximum depth of 0.07m. To the south-west lay a series of pits, which were generally subcircular and U-shaped with a flat base. None were arranged in any particular pattern. Although all of the features contained charcoal flecking of varying degrees, two of the pits contained charred hazelnut and animal bone, indicating a possible domestic refuse pit. The metalled surface was seen as a possible production area, with the pits being associated, used for storage or as refuse pits or both' (Halpin 2004, 296; Grogan 2007, 236-7). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on Google Earth orthoimage dated 14/09/2019.

See attached location map.

Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick

Date of upload: 18 May 2021

References

Halpin, B. 2004 Ballincurra (BGE 3/76/6, 10); Pits. In I. Bennett (ed.) Excavations 2002: Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland, 296, No. 1078. Wordwell, Bray.

Grogan, E., O'Donnell, L. and Johnston, P. 2007 The Bronze Age landscapes of the pipeline to the West. Bray. Wordwell.