2024:087 - BALLYMACOLL LITTLE, BELGREE & ROWAN TOWNLANDS, Meath

Archaeological assessment of a site was undertaken in the townlands of Ballymacoll Little, Rowan and Belgree. The assessment comprised a desktop study, geophysical surveys and test excavations. 23 trenches were excavated with a mechanical excavator under constant archaeological supervision. The trenches were principally located to investigate the results of geophysical surveys of the lands (Detection licences no. 23R0524, 23R0526 & 23R0453). 15 of the 23 trenches revealed archaeological features.

A total of 26 sites were identified during the course of the assessment. These include nine Recorded Monuments (6 ring-ditches, a ringfort, enclosures and a field system); four ring-ditches, three areas of late medieval settlement activity along Belgree Lane, a late medieval rectilinear enclosure, five undated enclosures; a multi-phase enclosure; and ditches and other features of archaeological origin from either the prehistoric or of undated provenance.