2004:1293 - MUCKERSTOWN, Meath

This excavation was undertaken as part of the archaeological mitigation in advance of the N2 Finglas–Ashbourne road scheme (Appendix II). Pre-development testing was carried out under this licence by Stuart Halliday in 2003 (Excavations 2003, No. 1424). This identified archaeological deposits within the main route of the development. The licence was transferred to Caitríona Moore in February 2004. The excavation was carried out over fourteen weeks from 25 February to 28 May 2004.

Central to the site (Site 13b) was a semicircular broken slot-trench, inside which were two postholes, 4m apart. To the north of this was a shallow cut, lined with a rough metalled surface. To the south-west of the central semicircular structure was a large sub-oval pit, Cut 069. This measured 10.8m long, 5.5m wide and 2.45m deep. Aligned east-west, its greatest width and depth at the eastern end, the pit comprised three steeply sloped sides on its north, south and east, with its west side more gradually inclined with a stepped profile. The fills were dominated by heavy waterlogged clays containing a large amount of well-preserved organic material including brushwood, roundwoods, twigs, leaves and nuts. One fill in particular was 0.6m deep and comprised entirely of such material, suggesting very deliberate deposition. This was also indicated in the placing of two very large forked elements of worked wood into the pit. When the deepest part of the pit was filled, a deliberate layer of regularly laid brushwood and roundwoods was deposited, possibly the remains of a lining or even a collapsed structure. This was followed again by another series of waterlogged clays rich in organic remains and animal bone. Contained within these was a deposit of parallel roundwoods and brushwood, over which lay a number of perpendicular elements. Undoubtedly structural, this appears to have been the remnants of a wooden panel or lining.

Beside Cut 069, to its north, was a second large sub-oval pit, Cut 147. Measuring 11.6m long, 6.1m wide and 2.5m deep, this was roughly aligned north-south and also comprised three steep sides and one shallow gradual slope at its northern end that was roughly metalled with small coarse limestone pieces. Cut 147 was filled with a series of waterlogged clays rich in organic remains. At an early point during the filling of the pit a V-shaped post-trench was excavated across the deepest part. Although severely truncated by later activity, an upright post remained in situ at each end, indicating that some form of structure or revetment was in place. Notably, 133 wooden artefacts (see below) were retrieved from the lower fills of Cut 147. These consist of short bundles of twigs and brushwood, through and around which are tied and knotted wooden withies. These were retrieved from a number of fills and were also associated with a substantial but irregular deposit of roundwoods, brushwood and twigs.

In addition to the wooden artefacts, a distinct difference between Cuts 069 and 147 was the incorporation of another pit, Cut 132, into the shallow slope at the northern side of the latter. This small pit measured 2.1m in diameter and 1.2m deep and, given that it did not truncate the fills of the larger Cut 147, is believed to have been excavated contemporaneously. Cut 132 was filled with a series of sedimentary deposits that also contained much organic material. Both Cuts 132 and 147 were sealed by a distinctive clay layer, which certainly represents the end of the original use of the pits and possibly the abandonment of the site. Directly over the deepest part of Cut 147 was a north-south-orientated linear feature, Cut 148. Measuring 1.3m deep, it was cut almost vertically through the fills of the earlier pit and some slumping of the side material appears to have occurred, as one of the wooden artefacts was found within it.

A number of small pits, post-holes and short linear features were also excavated on the site, but the features described above certainly represent the main foci of activity on the site. Notably, the majority of features were sealed by a distinct black, charcoal-rich deposit, although no evidence of in situ burning was found. A radiocarbon date of 1520–1310 cal. BC (3148±67 BP, Wk-15499) has been returned for a fragment of brushwood from one of the wooden artefacts. While this date certainly provides a starting-point from which to interpret the site, a number of further radiocarbon dates and analysis of the many plant remains recovered will be vital in determining a function and date range for the excavated features.

Based on their almost identical size and form, the two large pits undoubtedly represent a similar or related activity. Water would presumably have filled both of the pits, with access to each provided by the shallow graduated side. Several industries, such as tanning, dyeing, etc., require the use of large water-filled pits and it is hoped that further analysis, in particular of the plant remains, may indicate such a function.

Although research is ongoing at the time of writing, the 133 wooden artefacts recovered from Cut 147 appear to be unique in terms of their distinct construction. Again, various industries and crafts like thatching, basketry, etc., are being examined for parallels. However, given their early date, a ritual function cannot be disregarded for both these artefacts and the site as a whole.

Department of Archaeology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4