County: Meath Site name: RATHMULLAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E1267
Author: Finola O’Carroll, Cultural Resource Development Services Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site and Pit
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 706405m, N 774460m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.708975, -6.388235
Excavations were carried out at the IDA Business Park, Rathmullan, after testing of the site (25.5ha in extent) and monitoring of the topsoil-stripping for the site compound and Phase 1 of the roads (No. 1508, Excavations 2002, 02E0183). Excavations were carried out in four separate areas; Areas A and B were dealt with under licence 02E1265 (No. 1509, Excavations 2002). Area C, in the east of the site, was excavated to allow ESB and security ducting to be inserted.
Area C area measured 35m east–west by 25m. The terrain was generally level, with a slight fall to the east. In contrast to Areas A and B, in which the features were generally dispersed, Area C consisted of a complex of post-holes, stake-holes, pits, burnt spreads and a possible trough, all in reasonably close proximity, and modern furrows. Unfortunately, owing to intensive later farming on this site, it was very difficult to determine the relationship between the features, as they had been badly truncated. A total of 69 features were recorded; two were non-archaeological, and 39 were post-holes. A large proportion of the post-holes formed a possible double-walled semicircular structure at the north-east of the site. The remaining post-holes were widely dispersed throughout the site, and further analysis of their fills will determine the relationships, if any, between them.
The possible trough, with a series of post-holes on its perimeter, was situated roughly in the centre of the site. It was thought initially that the post-holes may have marked a windbreak for a hearth within the trough. However, the fill was a uniform, charcoal-rich deposit, suggesting a single dump of material. Seven stake-holes were recorded near the post-holes and therefore formed part of the structure.
Ten burnt spreads were noted. They were very irregular in shape and spanned the southern half of the site. This burnt material was also recorded as the latest fill of many of the post-holes. The presence of furrows truncating these spreads also explains why the burnt spread was widely and irregularly distributed throughout the site.
Three pits containing burnt stone and charcoal were uncovered. However, during excavation it was evident that none of these deposits was burnt in situ. This suggests that these pits in this area had been dug specifically for the purpose of dumping material that had been burnt elsewhere. One fragment of worked flint was found in the burnt deposits.
Another pit type consisted of irregularly shaped features containing grey silty clay deposits.
As a result of truncation by later farming activities, the archaeology uncovered was cut directly into subsoil, with all intermediate layers of activity having been destroyed. Without the survival of these layers, recreating a sequence of events for the area may prove difficult. Dating evidence, find analysis and background research are necessary to understand this site fully.
Unit 4, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14
