9.0 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage 9.1
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9.0 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE 9.1 INTRODUCTION As part of the recent Building 4 project a comprehensive archaeological assessment of the subject site was completed by CRDS ltd. This chapter present the findings of that study and the outcome of subsequent archaeological monitoring conducted during construction of Building 4 in 2015/2016. An assessment of the potential impact of the proposed new process vent abatement project and required mitigation measures is also presented in the following sections. 9.2 METHODOLOGY For the purpose of setting the IMIL site within its wider archaeological and cultural heritage landscape, a desk-based assessment utilising the Record of Monuments and Places, the National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files, the database of licensed excavations, the Record of Protected Structures included in Fingal Development Plan 2011 - 2017, documentary and cartographic sources was undertaken. The desk-based assessment was supplemented by a site assessment. Recorded Archaeological Monuments and Places The Record of Monuments and Places was consulted for the relevant parts of the county. This is a list of archaeological sites known to the National Monuments Service (see also www.archaeology.ie). The relevant files for these sites contain details of documentary sources and aerial photographs, early maps, OS memoirs, OPW Archaeological Survey notes and other relevant publications. The list of National Monuments in State Ownership or State Guardianship, the Register of Historic Monuments, the Sites and Monuments Record and monuments covered by Preservations Orders were also assessed. All sites within c.1.5km of the development were identified and are listed in Appendix 9.1 (see also Figure 9.1). For inspection purposes only. Recorded archaeologicalConsent finds of copyright owner required for any other use. The topographical files in the National Museum of Ireland were consulted to determine if any archaeological artefacts had been recorded from the area. This is the national archive of all known finds recorded by the National Museum. It relates primarily to artefacts but also includes references to monuments and has a unique archive of records of previous excavations. Other published catalogues of prehistoric material were also studied: Raftery (1983 - Iron Age antiquities), Eogan (1965; 1993; 1994 - bronze swords, Bronze Age hoards and goldwork), Harbison (1968; 1969a; 1969b - bronze axes, halberds and daggers) and the Irish Stone Axe Project Database (School of Archaeology, U.C.D.). All townlands within 1.5km (Ballycoolen, Buzzardstown, Cloghran, Cordurr, Deanstown, Grange and Snugborough) of the proposed development were assessed and no archaeological finds are recorded. Cartographic sources Reference to cartographic sources provides information on the development of the area. Manuscript maps consulted included the Down Survey Parish and Barony map of Castleknock, c. 1655; Rocque’s map of County Dublin, c. 1762 and Taylor’s map of the environs of Dublin, 1816. Ordnance Survey maps consulted included 6" maps, first and later editions and the Ordnance Survey 25” maps. On the 1st edition Ordnance Survey 6” map the site is shown as pastureland, bounded to the north and west by local roads (see Figure 9.2). The eastern boundary of the site comprises the townland boundary between Ballycoolen and Snugborough. A small circular, tree- _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMIL Process Vent Abatement Project EIAR Chapter 9, Page 1 EPA Export 21-06-2017:03:25:07 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ covered enclosure is depicted to the north-west of the site. This enclosure is not depicted on the Ordnance Survey 25” map and the site is located under the neighbouring industrial building. A terrace of four single-storey, early nineteenth century houses is depicted to the north-east of the site on the Ordnance Survey 25” map. Previous excavations The Excavations bulletin website (www.excavations.ie) was consulted as part of the Building B4 EIAR to identify excavations that may have been carried out within or in the vicinity of the development. This database contains summary accounts of excavations carried out in Ireland from 1970 to 2014. The study area has been subject to a number of licensed excavations and summaries of these are listed in Appendix 9.2. Site assessment A site assessment was carried out on the 24th June 2015 in warm, bright weather. The site assessment involved the examination of recorded archaeological and cultural heritage constraints and the identification of previously unrecorded features of archaeological and cultural heritage interest within the site. Building 4 is located to the south and east of existing buildings within the facility (see Plate 9.1). The site was previously used for the storage of excess soil from previous site construction projects and had been subject to significant levelling works at the time of the site assessment (see Plate 9.2 and Plate 9.3). The southern boundary consists of a line of mature fir trees (see Plate 9.4). The eastern boundary consists of a modern metal fence, behind which is the townland boundary between Snugborough and Ballycoolin. The boundary consists of a significant earthen bank covered in mature trees and hedgerow with slight ditches to either side (see Plate 9.5). No features of archaeological significance were evident above ground at the site of the proposed development. A parcel of 1.7ha of IDA land was acquired during 2015 to the east and west of the current facility. The field to the east of the current facility comprises a large field in For inspection purposes only. rough pasture with areasConsent of ofwetter copyright groundowner required marked for any other by use. rushes (see Plate 9.6). The eastern field boundary consists of a significant earthen bank covered in mature trees and hedgerow (see Plate 9.7). The 1st Edition Ordnance Survey 6” map indicates an access laneway running along this field boundary to a small house along the southern boundary of the field (see Figure 9.2). The western boundary comprises the townland boundary between Snugborough and Ballycoolin and consists of a significant earthen bank covered in mature trees and hedgerow with slight ditches to either side (see Plate 9.8). The northern boundary consists of a metal fence beyond which is a group of four single-storey early nineteenth century houses (see Plate 9.9). The field to the west of the current facility has been previously developed and includes a modern industrial unit. The field is in pasture with areas of wetter ground marked by rushes (see Plate 9.10). No evidence of the circular enclosure marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map was evident at the time of the site assessment. During construction of Building 4, archaeological monitoring and targeted archaeological test excavation was undertaken by CRDS Ltd from November to December 2015. This was in two areas, namely the excavation of the pad footing for Building B4 and the excavation of the services area (filtration and drainage). Nothing of archaeological significance was noted during the works. The report produced by CRDS is included in Appendix 9.3. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMIL Process Vent Abatement Project EIAR Chapter 9, Page 2 EPA Export 21-06-2017:03:25:07 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Plate 9.1: Site of Building B4 prior to development For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Plate 9.2: Site of Building B4 prior to development, showing levelling to east. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMIL Process Vent Abatement Project EIAR Chapter 9, Page 3 EPA Export 21-06-2017:03:25:07 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Plate 9.3: Site of Building B4 prior to development, showing levelling to north. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Plate 9.4: Site of Building B4 prior to development, southern boundary _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMIL Process Vent Abatement Project EIAR Chapter 9, Page 4 EPA Export 21-06-2017:03:25:07 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Plate 9.5: Site of Building B4 prior to development, townland boundary to east. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. Plate 9.6: Recently acquired lands, field to east of current facility. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ IMIL Process Vent Abatement Project EIAR Chapter 9, Page 5 EPA Export 21-06-2017:03:25:07 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE AWN Consulting Limited _____________________________________________________________________________________________________