Field system

The National Monuments Service's description

This site was excavated (E3502) during 2005 as a part of a complex area know as Site 42-44 of the N11 Gorey to Arklow link. An extensive area (dims. 250m N-S 48-60m E-W) across the road-take was excavated, but geophysical survey indicates that activity extended outside this to the E, W and SW. The seventeen sites identified are situated on the lower NW-facing slope of Ask Hill, and are contained within the elements of the field system.
Elements of a co-axial field system were recorded as two parallel ditches running E-W separated by a berm (Wth 2m) that was probably on the site of a field bank. The N ditch was discontinued (L c. 20m) at one point to avoid the ring-ditch (WX007-076009-). A contemporary ditch extends from the S parallel ditch while another NW-SE ditch ends 6m short of the double-ditches on the N side. All the ditch features extend beyond the excavated area. Prehistoric pottery has been recovered from the ditches. (Stevens 2008a, 393; 2008, 46-8)

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 16 March, 2012

References

Stevens, P. 2008a Sites 42-44, Ask. Burial complex: standing stone, ring-ditch, penannular burial enclosure. in I. Bennett Excavations 2005. Summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 391-4, No. 1603. Wordwell. Dublin

Stevens, P. 2008 N11 Gorey to Arklow link: Archaeogical Resolution. Preliminary Report A003/020 E3502 Site 42-44, Ask townland, Co. Wexford. Unpublished report: V. J. Keeley Ltd.