Prehistoric site — lithic scatter in Carrickmines Great

Breen (2012, 40) recorded the following details about the prehistoric site at Carrickmines Castle (DU026-005001-); 'Evidence was found for human activity in the Carrickmines area throughout the prehistoric period. Most of this evidence is from artefacts. Few features of prehistoric dates were found, although some pits and other features of unknown date around the site may also have an early date. However, the extensive development of the site in the medieval and post-medieval periods may have destroyed earlier features. The distribution of lithics on the site shows four distinct concentrations. One is in the Westfield, especially trench W2. Some features in this area were believed to be of prehistoric date, and in the medieval period it appears to have been a ploughed field. Another is the southern tip of the Southfield. Trench T4 produced 772 pieces of flint, which is the largest concentration anywhere on the site. Like the Westfield, this is a relatively undisturbed part of the site, showing few later features. Remains of medieval structures were found in Trenches T6 and T2 (the latter trench was rich in lithics), but T4 had little apart from stone spreads and a few pits. The lack of obvious prehistoric features suggests that these may be present in the unexcavated area nearby. The remaining two concentrations were on either side of the unexcavated farmhouse site, in Trenches 11, N and J, which had the densest concentrations of medieval and post-medieval structures on the site. This may be an example of the later re-use of a piece of ground which had already been selected in prehistoric times as suitable for settlement. As a slightly raised, dry area adjoining a wet, marshy area with streams, it fits this suggestion quite well. The analysis of the lithics suggests that they were deposited at various stages throughout prehistory. The early and late Mesolithic periods are represented, and there are a lot of Neolithic implements, especially scrapers. A petit-tranchet derivative arrowhead (02E1532:52:1) is a later Neolithic type, and some of the scrapers are likely to extend into the Early Bronze Age, as are the barbed and tanged arrowheads. Most of the lithic material is flint-knapping debris, showing that the implements were prepared nearby. Most of the raw material probably consisted of beach pebbles brought up from the coast. Some arrowheads testify to hunting, but the scrapers and an awl were probably for converting hides into leather, showing that there was some domestic settlement, although whether this was temporary or permanent is not clear'. Breen, T. 2012 Report on the Findings of the Archaeological Excavations at Carrickmines, Co. Dublin - Carried out under licences 00E0525, 02E1532 and Ministerial Directions. M50 South-eastern Motorway Scheme 4 volumes. Prepared on behalf of V.J. Keely Ltd. for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. See attached site plan showing distribution map of lithic scatter, taken from excavation report under licence No. 00E0525, 02E1532, Breen 2012, Vol. 4. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 January 2023