House - Neolithic

The National Monuments Service's description

Identified in centre-line testing (E4110) in advance of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy road scheme, and set aside for resolution as a part of Dunsinane 3 (Hardy et al. 2010, 130-1). It is located on a slight rise at the base of a low hill, the summit of which is c. 500m to the W and overlooking a slight dip just to the E with equally high ground c. 300m to the SE. It was excavated (E4325) by D. Gallagher when a well preserved Neolithic house (WX019-039001-) came to light together with evidence suggestive of a second Neolithic house. At a later period metal-working (WX019-039003-) was conducted in the vicinity.
This is a rectangular area (int. dims c. 10m NW-SE; c. 7m NE-SW) defined by an uncertain line of post and stake-holes at SW and a double-line of post-holes or pits at SE, including a possible slot-trench (L 1.45m) with flanking post-holes for a threshold. The NE side is formed by four aligned pits, and two conjoined pits between these and the SW wall could be interpreted as central roof-supports. The NW side is completely open, but a large quantity of prehistoric pottery, much of it probably from Early Neolithic carinated bowls, and some struck flint was recovered from this area. The Neolithic house (WX019-039001-) is c. 4m to the S, and the unrelated iron-working pits (WX019-039003-)are c. 26m to the SW. The hearth and pits (WX019-038----) are c. 150m to the N, while the Bronze Age houses (WX019-060001-; WX019-060002-) are c. 120-150m to the S, but these features might be wholly unconnected to this site. (Gallagher et al. 2012, 26-9)

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 28 November, 2013

References

Hardy, C., Nugent, L., Homan Reid, R; O'Liathain, N; Whitty, Y.; and Coleman, C. 2010 N11 Gorey to Enniscorthy scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services, Stage (1)a. E4110. Testing report for Wexford County Council. Unpublished. TVAS (Ireland).

Gallagher, D, Hardy, C. and Rajic, M. 2012 M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy scheme, Co. Wexford. E4325, Dunsinane 3. Stage (III) Post-excavation Assessment Report for Wexford County Council. Unpublished report, TVAS (Ireland).