- Mountland or Butterhouse, Co. Meath, Meath

In March 1969 human remains were discovered as a result of ploughing at a farm in the townland of Mountland or Butterhouse, near Kilmessan, Co. Meath.²¹⁰ The site had been bulldozed the previous year and a number of large flagstones had been uncovered. In ploughing the following year further human remains were discovered. The site was reported to the NMI and investigated by Ellen Prendergast. At the time of Prendergast’s visit the human remains were broken and scattered all over the site, and it was not possible to ascertain any association between the flagstones from the previous year’s bulldozing operations and the human remains. In some instances the bones were partly articulated but were too disturbed to enable any assessment of whether they were extended or crouched or of their orientation. The remains seemed to indicate old and young persons, possibly male and female. Some charred wood fragments were also noticed. The only objects found were a small flint flake, possibly worked, and a fragment of red earthenware with traces of white glaze. Some horse teeth were also noticed, but no other recognisable trace of human bone. According to the landowner, the site was originally a low mound, and there had not been a great depth of soil over the stones. The human remains were not acquired. The only site recorded in the townland is an enclosure.²¹¹

210. Parish of Scurlockstown, barony of Lower Deece. SMR ME037-016——. IGR 285347 255023.
211. ME037-016——.