2002:1508 - RATHMULLAN, Meath

An assessment of a proposed development site south-west of Drogheda was undertaken in June and July 2002. The site was bounded on the south by the Drogheda–Donore road and on the west by the M1 motorway. It was considered to have archaeological potential because it is 500m east of a ringfort (SMR 20:21), which gives the townland its name, and overlooks the River Boyne to the north, Drogheda to the north-east and the high ground of Tullyesker, Red Mountain and Coolfore farther north. Most importantly, a number of significant sites had been found during the construction of the M1 motorway. The area investigated encompassed thirteen fields, a total area of 25.5ha, on a terrace overlooking the River Boyne. Generally there was a gradual north to south slope but with distinct undulations throughout the area. The ground also fell gradually from west to east. To the north of Fields 1, 4 and 5 (the north-west side of the site) there was an extended area of more level ground before a pronounced fall north toward the River Boyne. The northern boundaries of Fields 6 and 7 (north-east side) were close to this pronounced break of slope.

The quality of ground and drainage differed greatly from the low-lying fields to the higher areas, with the low-lying areas tending to be quite water saturated. Although monitoring of these fields revealed a complex series of drainage patterns, they proved inefficient during heavy rainfall. Agricultural activity occurred in these fields, and many deep plough ruts remained. The higher ground, Fields 1, 2, 5, and 8, remained quite dry. Most of the archaeology was noted in these higher plains and on the south–north slope to the River Boyne.

Before test excavation, geophysical prospection of the entire site (licence 02R026) had taken place and had indicated a number of areas of interest. Test excavation was carried out by a mechanical digger fitted with a 2m toothless ditching bucket. Approximately 9km of test-trenches, or roughly 10% of the total site area, was examined.

A total of 68 possible archaeological features were identified throughout the development area. Eight archaeological zones, comprising 22 features or complexes of features, were uncovered. There was a high density of archaeology in Fields 1, 4–8 and 11. A further six isolated features were uncovered in Fields 9, 10 and 12.

In Fields 5 and 6, particularly, the extent of the complexes indicated by the features uncovered in the testing can be estimated from the signals recorded in the geophysical survey and suggest quite extensive archaeological deposits. The complex of features in Field 4 is also significant. A preliminary assessment of all of these features indicates that they are prehistoric in date; struck flint has been recovered from some, as well as bone, both burnt and unburnt in two cases. Most of the features consist of spreads of burnt material, and these generally correlate well with the geophysical signal, which, being so clear, was initially interpreted as possible modern debris. During the testing, post-medieval to modern pottery was recovered but in small quantities; however, only three sherds of medieval pottery were identified. All identified features were covered in plastic, and the trenches were backfilled.

In addition to testing, monitoring of all topsoil-stripping for Phase 1 of the roads was carried out, and 27 features were uncovered. One of these, a small charcoal-filled pit in isolation from the rest, was sectioned and recorded. Four features uncovered in the area of the site compound were recorded and sampled, and the compound was then trunked.

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