2024:806 - Baltrasna, Ashbourne, Meath

At Baltrasna, the excavation discovered a ring-ditch complex defined by two large ring-ditches (Nos II & III) positioned 18m apart, and a third smaller example (No. I) 12m to the north. The two larger examples occupied a more dominant position at the crest of a gentle rise in ground level with the latter, smaller example in a secondary position on the gradual north-facing slope.

The less dominant positioning and smaller size of ring-ditch I could suggest that it represented a separate, possibly later phase of activity at the site. The ring-ditch had an overall diameter of 7.5m with an uncut entrance causeway on the western side. The enclosing ditch fill contained significant quantities of scattered animal bone fragments with noticeable quantities of jaw bones.

The morphology of ring-ditches II and III was remarkably similar. Both were roughly circular with overall diameters of c.17m with west-facing entrances defined by simple un-cut causeways. The profiles of the enclosing ditches were broadly similar with no surviving evidence of the original external banks. Animal bone was revived from each of the two ring-ditches.

The ring-barrow was located 95m to the southwest of ring-ditch III. The oval-shaped ring-barrow had an overall external diameter of 6.7m north-south by 7.2m with no entrance. The enclosing ditch fills contained a moderate amount of animal bone fragments with a simple flint scraper recovered. No cremation burials were found within the barrow.

The remains of a burnt mound were found in the north-west corner of Field 7, a low-lying area prone to flooding. Following the removal of the mound, a possible trough and two associated pits were uncovered. The trough/pit was filled with fragments of burnt and partially burnt stone.

This previously unknown burial ground contained the remains of 45 articulated individuals buried in shallow graves 250-300mm below the surface. The burial ground was not defined by an enclosing ditch but were distributed over an area measuring 30m north-south by 28m. There were three principal clusters; 12 burials were located within ring-ditch II. 17 burials were located to the north of the ring-ditch including 2 which truncated the upper fill of the ring-ditch on the northern side. A further 12 burials were to the southwest with 4 more isolated examples to the west.

The positioning of the burials within and around the ring-ditch complex highlights a sense of continuity with the past as pagan ritual gradually gave way to Christian burial practices from the 5th century onwards. Analysis of the recovered material is on-going.