Habitation site in Drinnanstown South

Identified in 2001 through the monitoring of topsoil-stripping on the eastern slope of Boston Hill (OD 538 feet) to facilitate the expansion of a quarry (Excavations 2001, No. 638, 01E0916: www.excavations.ie). Archaeological deposits were uncovered in seven areas: Area 1 (Designated KD017-052----), Area 2 (Designated KD017-050----), Area 3 (Designated KD017-051----), Area 4 (Designated KD017-053----), Area 5 (Designated KD017-054----), Area 6 (Designated KD017-055----) and Area 7 (Designated KD017-056----). According to the excavator (SMR file), 'Following discussions with the client, it has been established that quarry works will not impact upon Areas 2 to 7 for an estimated 30 years. It may therefore be possible to provide archaeological mitigation for these areas in the form of preservation in situ.' Area 1 (KD017-052----) was in the north-eastern part of the site. It contained ten features which were very widely dispersed over an area of 3,600m2. To the extreme south-east, a patch of in situ burnt soil was surrounded by a number of possible pits and post-holes; an apparently isolated pit, c. 32m to the N, contained one piece of iron slag, suggesting that it may be associated with metalworking activity, while to the N again, possible in situ burnt stake- or post-holes were found. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011