Excavations at Bremore?

Mullaghteelin

At some point in the last fortnight, someone has dug a rectangular hole, about 2ft across, and about the same deep; near the top of the mound of the passage tomb at Bremore, north county Dublin.
The hole was clear of debris, which was discretely piled in the undergrowth near the base of the mound.

This is the site of the proposed Drogheda port redevelopment, and is accessible from Balbriggan beach to the south, and Gormanston to the North.

There had been notice on a wooden post nearby up to a year or two ago, which requested people to report any vandalism to the site, but the notice has since vanished. (I suspect it may have been destroyed by the weather in such an exposed coastal location or become lost in the undergrowth.)

It looks like it could be a "professional" job to my eye, but just wanted to bring it to the attention of anyone who may be in the know.
I recorded a quick video with my phone, I can upload it later if neccessary.

slowburner

That doesn't sound good at all.
It'd be interesting to see the picture.

Maudi

Mullaghteelin wrote: »

At some point in the last fortnight, someone has dug a rectangular hole, about 2ft across, and about the same deep; near the top of the mound of the passage tomb at Bremore, north county Dublin.
The hole was clear of debris, which was discretely piled in the undergrowth near the base of the mound.

This is the site of the proposed Drogheda port redevelopment, and is accessible from Balbriggan beach to the south, and Gormanston to the North.

There had been notice on a wooden post nearby up to a year or two ago, which requested people to report any vandalism to the site, but the notice has since vanished. (I suspect it may have been destroyed by the weather in such an exposed coastal location or become lost in the undergrowth.)

It looks like it could be a "professional" job to my eye, but just wanted to bring it to the attention of anyone who may be in the know.
I recorded a quick video with my phone, I can upload it later if neccessary.

hmmm....i wouldnt like to hazard a guess who dug the hole but possibly if its as neat as you describe maybe its legit...i mean would robbers have dug such a neat trench?a picture would help though...plus fair play for being so vigilent.

KOR101

It might be an idea to report it if you know who to contact.

I saw it myself on the weekend, and the edges of the hole are unusually straight. It's a pity organizations don't post more information on the internet about what they are up to. Bremore Castle is another case in point. It's a mystery to me what plans the Council have. There seems to be some sort of push to progress it at present.

slowburner

No way would a licensed excavation/professional archaeologist leave the trench exposed - that would be a safety hazard.
Not to mention that it would be bonkers to leave artefacts and stratigraphy exposed to the weather, stray dogs, cats, and passers by.
On a licensed excavation the site would be cordoned off, for the same reasons, and there would be a security notice of some sort.

Sounds to me like someone's been watching Time Team or some such, and has decided to have a go themselves.

rccaulfield

What kind of a DIY moron would do that- tell the landowner hopefully he'll call the guards and maybe opw are the relevant authority/Fingalcoco?

Cailleachdubh

slowburner wrote: »

No way would a licensed excavation/professional archaeologist leave the trench exposed - that would be a safety hazard.
Not to mention that it would be bonkers to leave artefacts and stratigraphy exposed to the weather, stray dogs, cats, and passers by.
On a licensed excavation the site would be cordoned off, for the same reasons, and there would be a security notice of some sort.

Sounds to me like someone's been watching Time Team or some such, and has decided to have a go themselves.

Hmm...are you sure you aren't over-reacting a bit? In my experience trenches are often left exposed, as is practically impossible in many circumstances to keep them covered (say if the ground is uneven, sloped, or in a very windy/exposed area). Chances are there was no strat if it was just a trench cut into the top of the mound - probably just all one layer of backfill at that high level. And unlikely to be finds poking out too, but who knows I suppose! Sometimes cordoning off an area can just draw more unwanted attention to it - makes the stupider people realise what they might be missing!

Just being the devil's advocate. Don't ban me, fancy new Moderator man!!

ps I'm not familiar with the site, so open to correction...

slowburner

Cailleachdubh wrote: »

Just being the devil's advocate.

...likewise.

It'd be nice to see a picture, and to see of there's been any change lately.
Fair enough about not drawing attention to the site, but wouldn't it be more discreet to backfill the dig if it had to be left for a while?

slowburner

Any update on this?

KOR101

Well I did notice that there are also spade marks just beyond the mound towards the sea.

When you look back to the mound and see the hole, it's the oddest sight -like something out of Lost.