1995:267 - ARDNAGROSS, Westmeath

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Westmeath Site name: ARDNAGROSS

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 95E0175

Author: Cara Murray

Site type: Burial ground

Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)

ITM: E 644441m, N 777717m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.747188, -7.326236

This site was uncovered during the extension of a sand and gravel quarry in November 1994. The site had been initially excavated by James Eogan in April/May 1995 (see Excavations 1995,, No. 266). Further inhumations were discovered after quarrying recommenced and a second rescue excavation was carried out at this site for a week in August 1995, funded by the OPW.

The partial remains of six extended inhumations were excavated. These were all in very poor condition, having been very badly disturbed by machinery. Only one of the burials was complete and it was oriented north-west/south-east with the head to the north-west. In the remaining burials the legs only remained and the orientation appeared to be roughly east-west with the heads to the west. A chert scraper was found close to one of the burials but was in a disturbed context.

Note: Dates for this site are provided by C14 dates from the primary excavation of the site by James Eogan.

96 Arnold Park, Glenageary, Co. Dublin