2001:1023 - PLATIN: Site 19, Duleek Road, Meath

An excavation was carried out in the townland of Platin, Co. Meath, between 30 January and 16 February 2001. The site lay to the east of the Duleek Road. It was bounded to the north by the embankment for the Dublin–Belfast railway line and by low-lying green fields to the south, west and east. The site lay approximately 120m north of an excavation carried out by Rob Lynch (Excavations 2000, No. 774, 00E0822).

The land use in this area is wide, as it is part of the midland grazing region and consists of well-drained soils with large field patterns typically curtailed by tall, vigorous hedges of thorn, ash, elder and abundant trees. The underlying geology consisted of boulder clay and grey brown podzolics. Topsoil, sod and disturbed ploughsoils consistently overlay a compact yellowish brown silty clay with occasional small to large angular and subangular stones at the base of excavations.

The total area of the site measured 4680m2. The earliest activity was represented by a series of pits and post-holes, which pre-date the construction of the Neolithic house.

A roughly rectangular Neolithic house, consisting of one slot/foundation trench to the west, traces of an eastern slot-trench and associated pits and post-holes, was excavated. The structure measured approximately 8m north–south by 6m. It consisted of two linear slot-trenches and central supporting posts. Further post-holes were excavated to the west of the slot-trenches, probably representing an annex feature or a sheltered working area.

A modern field ditch was excavated to the east of the Neolithic house.