2001:1031 - RATHMULLAN: Site 4, Meath

A five-week excavation was carried out on a prehistoric site discovered during topsoil-stripping in advance of the Northern Motorway, Gormanston–Monasterboice, Contract 7. Excavation began on 10 April 2001 and was completed on 15 May 2001.

The site was approximately midway between the Oldbridge and Donore roads and was at the western edge of the motorway way-leave. The area of excavation measured approximately 35m north–south (maximum) by 19m (maximum). Prior to excavation the site consisted of agricultural land.

The earliest evidence for activity within the site boundary consisted of an east–west-aligned curvilinear ditch with an approximate length of 18.9m. From the western terminus it extended eastwards for approximately 8.4m before starting to gradually curve southwards. It had a maximum recorded depth of 0.51m, which was noted at the western end of the ditch, with the average depth being 0.35m. The maximum width of the ditch was 0.8m.

The next phase of activity consisted of a Bronze Age pit that truncated the curvilinear ditch. It measured 1.2m in length, 1.15m in width and 0.86m in depth. The northern side was quite smooth and was nearly vertical. The other sides were also quite steep but were slightly irregular. The sides broke gradually into a shallow concave base, which was under the modern water-table.

The final phase consisted of a series of shallow pits from which no diagnostic material was recovered. All of these pits were located to the south of the curvilinear ditch.

A series of relatively modern features such as field drains represent the last period of physical activity on the site.

Excavation and post-excavation work have revealed that the site most likely dates from the Bronze Age. It is hoped that the ongoing post-excavation process and stratigraphic interpretation of the site will facilitate more detailed interpretation.

This project was funded by Meath County Council.