BERRILLSTOWN 1

Site Name/Townland Site Number Description Provisional site type Provisional dating
Berrillstown 1 2-09 Probable cremation pits adjacent a ring ditch. Burial site Bronze Age

 

Textual description below.   Extract of 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map (1836), showing site location at Berrillstown 1, which is indicated by the larger blue circle. A short section of the Dunshaughlin to Navan Road (coming from Dublin) running south-east / north-west is visible in the lower left corner of the map.

The location of a possible burnt mound identified at Berrillstown 2 is indicated by the smaller blue circle in the centre of the map. (Map reproduced by courtesy of the Board of Trinity College Dublin)

Geophysical Survey

A ring-ditch of approximately 30m diameter, apparently penannular in shape, was identified by geophysical survey at Berrillstown 1 (Section 2). The road has been moved to avoid this enclosure which will be preserved in situ , however, it was investigated as part of the testing phase along with a number of possible cremation pits upon which there will be an impact. The enclosing ditch measures over 6m wide by 0.6m deep and a rim sherd of Beaker pottery was recovered from one of the upper ditch fills. A possible cremation along with unburnt animal bone was identified within the enclosed area. The pottery recovered indicates a late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age date for the barrow.

Testing

The possible ring-ditch measuring 30m x 25m was investigated as part of the testing phase along with a number of possible cremation pits which are being impacted.

Textual description below
The site is defined by broad shallow ditch measuring 6.5m wide at top x 0.59m deep. There were four fills in the ditch. Prehistoric pottery sherds (possible beaker rim) were recovered. Possible cremation including unburnt animal bone were identified within. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.)
Other features in the vicinity include pits, burnt spreads & possible cremation pits. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.)
Other features in the vicinity include pits, burnt spreads & possible cremation pits. (Courtesy of ACS Ltd.)

Preliminary Excavation Results

A large scatter of pits and a corn-drying kiln concentrated around the edge of a ringditch, which lies immediately outside the landtake. One artefact was recovered - a lignite bracelet fragment. These preliminary findings seem to indicate an early medieval date.

Return to Section 2.

 

 

Final Report

Please click on the link to access the final archaeological report for Berrillstown 1

Final Report of Berrillstown 1 2.89MB