2004:1340 - SKREEN (Testing Area 8), Meath

An assessment was carried out in advance of the planned M3 Clonee–North of Kells PPP scheme, Co. Meath, on the Dunshaughlin–Navan section (Contract 2) between February and June 2004. This section of the scheme is c. 15.5km long from the townland of Roestown, north-west of Dunshaughlin, to the townland of Ardsallagh, south-west of Navan town. The EIS recommended testing any known or possible sites identified and Meath County Council further proposed to test the whole of the remainder of the route. For the purposes of testing, this section was divided into 26 testing areas. The assessment methodology generally consisted of mechanically excavating 2m-wide test-trenches along the centre-line and perpendicular to the centre-line to the edge of the land-take every 20m. The work was carried out on behalf of Meath County Council, the National Roads Design Office and the National Roads Authority.

Testing Area 8 was located within the townland of Skreen between Chainages 28150 and 28600. Within this area, 4094m2 of test-trenches were excavated out of a total of 30,394m2, providing an assessment coverage of 13.5%. Two possible archaeological sites, identified as a result of the geophysical survey, were contained within Testing Area 8. Area 16, Field 2, was visible on the geophysical data as several linear features that appeared to represent the remains of a field system or former field boundaries and several possible pits. Other linear features appeared to be related to modern ploughing. All of the linear features identified within this area during assessment were associated with drainage or agricultural activity and were not archaeological in nature. Area 17, Field 1, appeared on the geophysical data as three small pit features that were interpreted as possible archaeological features. No traces of these features were identified during the assessment phase of works.

The only features of archaeological significance were exposed in the southern extent of Testing Area 8, Field 2. This area was designated Skreen 3 and consisted of a large pit, three small pits, an irregular-shaped feature and a linear feature. No finds were recovered from these features and their date is uncertain.