2023:750 - Commons, Duffsland (Part Of) And Balreask Old, Navan, Meath

Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of one day in May 2023 at Commons Road, Navan, Co. Meath. Testing was carried out using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. The trenches targeted geophysical anomalies and open green space to fully investigate the archaeological potential of the site.

A total of eight trenches were excavated across the site measuring 480 linear metres. Trenches were distributed evenly across the proposed development area in order to comprehensively investigate the available area, and target geophysical anomalies. The site is a relatively flat pasture field with minor undulations throughout. Topsoil consisted of a light to mid-brown sandy clay with occasional sub-angular stone present. A plough soil was observed in many areas across the site but was not a continuous layer. This consisted of a light brown to orange silty clay. Topsoil had an average depth of 0.71m. Subsoil consisted of a mid-yellow clayey sand with frequent rounded and sub-angular stones with an average diameter of 0.03–0.15m. Testing revealed nothing of archaeological significance.

A field boundary was visible as a depression on the field surface and was also identified on the geophysical survey. This field boundary corresponds with the townland boundary between Balreask Old and Commons and in the north of the field between Balreask Old and Duffsland. This field boundary has been reused for drainage and the presence of stone and a plastic drainage pipe within it supports this. Field drains were also noted throughout the site.