County: Meath Site name: FERGANSTOWN AND BALLYMACKON
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0178
Author: Ken Hanley, for Byrne, Mullins & Associates.
Site type: Souterrain
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 688918m, N 762584m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.605548, -6.656417
On 30 January 1999 a souterrain passage was exposed at the south-west corner of a partially constructed sewerage treatment plant in the townland of Ferganstown and Ballymackon, south of the River Boyne, c. 3km north-east of Navan town. The souterrain was largely intact and consisted of a single drystone passage, leading roughly west into a simple beehive chamber. A limited excavation began in April 1999, with four trenches inserted across the site area. The aim of the excavation was to examine the areas of the site to be affected by the proposed development.
Trench A was across part of the souterrain passage. The passage walls were constructed from roughly shaped limestone rocks. The walls slanted inwards and were crowned by seven large lintels. The passageway was 3.3m long by 1m high and angled down towards the beehive chamber, which measured 2.65m (north-south) x 2.22m x 1.7m high. The chamber was constructed using both flat and rounded rocks and was sealed by a large capping stone. There was sufficient evidence to suggest that there may have been an entrance passage or drop-hole feature leading north from the exposed end of the existing passageway.
A faunal report (by M. McCarthy) indicated the presence of cow and pig bones in and around the souterrain passage, with evidence suggesting that slaughtering and primary butchery were carried out in the vicinity of the site.
Trench B flanked the existing hedgerow and revealed a substantial amount of activity, including a series of four (mostly linear) parallel cut features. Their nature and pattern were suggestive of agricultural (furrow) activity. Two shallow pits were also exposed. A curved, ditch-like feature and a circular structure were also identified. The shallow circular structure may have been a hut site; however, no associated stake- or post-holes were identified. This feature was outside the arc of the ditch-like trench.
Trenches C and D were to the south of Trenches A and B and failed to reveal any features of archaeological significance.
44 Eaton Heights, Cobh, Co. Cork
