2024:312 - Scoil Mhuire, Seanlothe, Trim, Meath

This final excavation report has been prepared by Archer Heritage Planning Ltd detailing the results of an excavation at a site at Scoil Mhuire, Trim, Shanlothe, Co Meath previously identified by geophysical survey (24R0018) and test excavation (24E0322). Excavation at this site was carried out in June 2024.

A cutting measuring 400 sq. m (20m north-south x 20m) was opened centred on the previously uncovered features. The site comprised three pits (C3, C5 & C9) and a single post-hole (C7). All the features were filled with heat-reddened and heat-cracked stones and a dark brown/black silty fill. This fill is suggestive of fulacht fiadh activity. It is likely that C3 and/or C9 represent a relatively shallow, ploughed-out fulacht fiadh troughs. There were no artefacts recovered from any of the features. However, radiocarbon dating of one of the trough fills (C10; fill of C9) returned a middle Bronze Age date of 1670 – 1500 BC (UBA-54572; 3316±26 BP). The charcoal assemblage identified four native taxa, including oak, maloideae, cherry/blackthorn and ivy in order of representation at the site. The wood species reveal that the area from which the wood was selected was a mixed woodland.

The site has been fully excavated and recorded. No further work is required.