2007:1294 - DERVER (1), Meath

This site was located within Contract 5 (Kells–North of Kells) of the proposed M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway, was identified during testing by David Bayley of IAC in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1219, 04E1060) and was excavated in January 2007. The site was situated in an unusual position on the steeply sloping sides of the Blackwater Valley, in a very exposed location, and consisted of a medium-sized pit with in situ burning which may have been a hearth (0.47m by 0.4m by 0.12m) and four small pits, one of which contained a partial lamb/kid skeleton and may have been of recent date. Twenty-four sherds of Middle or Late Bronze Age pottery were recovered from a slight hollow immediately north-east of two of the pits. The sherds may have been ploughed out from one of the pits or another feature now removed.

The features may represent the remains of a temporary prehistoric camp or activity. Other nearby sites in Derver (Derver 2, A030/024, and 3, A030/023, Nos 1295–6, Excavations 2007) and the adjacent townland of Pottlebane (Pottlebane 1, A030/019, and 2, A030/018, Nos 1375–6, Excavations 2007 ) also appear to reflect temporary campsites or cooking areas, without any obvious evidence of permanent settlement. A round house, potentially Bronze Age in date, was discovered at Derver 4 (A030/022; see No. 1297, Excavations 2007) on the flood-plain very close to the River Blackwater’s current location and traces of burnt-mound activity were found nearby.