Habitation site in Blackchurch

In 2003, a site was identified through archaeological testing (Licence no. 03E1606: www.excavations.ie) during pre-development road-widening of the existing N7 between the Maudlins Interchange and the Dublin/Kildare county boundary. It was subsequently excavated (Licence no. 03E1838: www.excavations.ie) as 'Site 14C. A square area (dims. L 50m; Wth 50m) located immediately north of the existing N7 and immediately east of the Castlewarden Road was excavated. Two main ditches identified were in the south-west corner and extended at right angles to one another. They did not, however, form part of an enclosure but appear to have an agricultural function - possibly drainage or land/property boundaries. The remaining features consisted of shallow, irregular-shaped pits and shallow gullies. It is thought that this activity may be associated with possible land clearance and subsequent agricultural activities, including drainage, ploughing and small field divisions/plots. All of the features produced medieval pottery dated to the 13th/14th centuries. Later post-medieval plough furrows show that the field has been cross-ploughed, but some stratigraphically earlier furrows running in different orientations may further indicate changes in boundaries. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011