2002:1422 - AUGHERSKEA, Meath

Excavation was carried out at Augherskea, Knockmark, Co. Meath, as part of the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West project (Section 1A: Ballough to Kinnegad). Rescue excavation was initiated on identification of human skeletal material during the laying of the gas pipe. A programme of clean-up and assessment was followed by excavation, which took place between 12 August and 18 November 2002. In addition, a geophysical survey (licence 02R143) of the immediate environs and a detection-device survey (licence 02R133) of the area were carried out.

The site as revealed extended for 100m east–west by 20m, the width of the exposed wayleave. Archaeological remains were uncovered on average 0.4m beneath present ground level. The site was characterised by three major elements: the burial-ground, agricultural features to the east and settlement evidence to the west.

The burial-ground was delineated to the east by a U-shaped ditch (2.3m wide and 0.9m in maximum depth) and intersecting ditches to the west, resulting in a maximum east–west dimension of c. 63m. The northern and southern boundaries were identified through geophysical survey and indicated an enclosure measuring c. 65m north–south. A linear north–south ditch, V-shaped in profile (1.9m wide and 0.9m deep), pre-dated the deposition of burials and may have constituted an original enclosing element before westward expansion. Truncation by the pipe-trench determined two distinct foci of excavation in this area. A total of 187 burials were excavated: 86 from Area 1 (22m east–west by 7.5m) and 101 from Area 2 (15m east–west by 4.5m). There were also significant deposits of disarticulated bone, the result of repeated intercutting of burials. Most of the burials were in the extended supine position, with the head to the west, the arms either beside or across the body, and the feet together. Apart from a shroud-pin and an iron nail, no artefacts were recovered in direct association with a burial.

Agricultural activity was identified to the east of the burial enclosure. This comprised a series of drainage ditches and gullies cut by cultivation furrows encompassing an area measuring 22.5m east–west by 5m. A fragment of a lignite bracelet was recovered from the cultivation furrows.

Two separate areas of activity abutted the enclosure to the west. The northern area (14m east–west by 7.4m) was dominated by a series of intercutting drains and gullies. Artefacts recovered from this area include an undecorated ring-pin, a fragment of decorated bone comb and a blue glass bead. The southern area (18m east–west by 4m) was characterised by a series of intercutting pits and gullies. The largest pit was circular in plan and measured 3m in diameter. It had a maximum depth of 2.4m and contained eighteen fills, many of which were organic.

In all, 80 artefacts were recovered, although, owing to the disturbed nature of the site, almost half were unstratified. Before the processing of radiocarbon dates and the receipt of specialist reports, the evidence indicates burial and habitation datable to the early medieval period.