What is recorded here

Flat cemetery in Ask is a subrectangular concentration of seven cremation pits, nineteen post-holes and twenty-one stake-holes on the lower slope of Ask Hill. The N11 Gorey to Arklow link works uncovered the site in 2005, exposing charcoal-rich clay and scattered pottery beside the burnt remains. People may have gathered there to burn what they loved and mark the edge of the living world with wooden posts. The road now crosses the place, but the small circle of pits still holds the shape of that old grief.

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. Situated on the lower NW-facing slope of Ask Hill. This is structure G in area A, a subrectangular concentration (dims c. 6m x c. 5m) of seven cremation pits (diam. c. 0.5m; D c. 0.2m) concentrated at the centre, surrounded by 19 post-holes, two pits and 21 stake-holes. The features were sealed with redeposited clay and charcoal-rich clays. Some outlying cremation pits produced lithics and some pottery. Lines of pits, sometimes doubled form the edges of the cemetery, with a slot-trench at the SW. Ring-ditch (WX076002-) is c. 8m to the WNW, and the pit-alignment (WX007-076006-) is c. 8m to the S. Stevens 2008a, 392; 2008, 12-17) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 16 March, 2012

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.