County: Meath Site name: KNOCKHARLEY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 03E0187
Author: Kieran Campbell, for CRDS Ltd.
Site type: Pit and Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 697430m, N 767519m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.648368, -6.526312
Pre-development testing and monitoring was undertaken on a proposed residual landfill site occupying most of the area of the townland of Knockharley (292 acres). Geophysical survey (03R010) identified the possible remains of a cottage and evidence for pit-like features. A programme of test-trenching was recommended. Pre-development testing was carried out initially by Laurence McGowan (No. 1275, Excavations 2004) and later by Kieran Campbell.
The modern settlement pattern, as shown in the 1836 and 1909 editions of the OS 6-inch maps, consisted of a farm of large fields, a vernacular farmhouse and yard located at the centre of the townland and some cottages at the roadside.
The topsoil was stripped by the combined use of bulldozers and a mechanical digger fitted with a ditching bucket. Several modern drainage ditches and field boundaries were revealed dispersed throughout the site. The archaeologically significant features/areas noted included a pit that contained a large quantity of antler and branches with cut ends, which was interpreted as a well or deer trap. This feature was excavated, due to its proximity to the construction works and traffic. A burnt mound or fulacht fiadh, measuring c. 20m by 10m, was not excavated. A dark linear feature with small pits containing burnt stones was not excavated. An area measuring c. 5m by 5m that had several small pits containing burnt stone was not excavated. A small burnt spread which may be a fulacht fiadh, and also a possible pit and a stone spread noted in an area c. 30m by 10m, were not excavated. A pit c. 5m by 3m and a scatter of stones c. 40m by 15m, possibly demolition debris from the original farm building, were located in the area immediately south of the farmhouse and were not excavated.
Ten further trenches were stripped and monitored in the area adjacent to, and to the east of, the house. Archaeological features were noted in four trenches but were not excavated.
Discussions are currently ongoing with the client. If the features cannot be protected, an excavation strategy will be proposed.
Unit 4, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14
