2004:1714 - ATHLONE: Strand Street, Westmeath

Three trenches were mechanically excavated in the course of pre-development testing at Strand Street, Athlone. In Trench A the removal of sod (0.15m in depth) and topsoil (0.2m in depth) uncovered a light-grey sandy subsoil. This layer extended for a depth of 0.4–0.5m and overlay an orange/brown sticky boulder clay. No features of archaeological significance were encountered in this trench. Excavation of Trench B commenced at the south end and the stratigraphy here consisted of topsoil (0.25m deep) overlying a grey sandy clay (0.45m deep) that overlay the orange/brown boulder clay. Four linear features orientated east-west were identified in this trench, cut into the boulder clay, with similar fills of dark clay with occasional stones. The features were found at a depth of at least 1m below the ground surface. F4 had been disturbed and the remains of a human skull were visible in the section of the trench. A number of other human bones were recovered from the immediate area. At the north end of Trench C topsoil (0.2m deep) overlay a loose sandy clay (0.45–0.55m deep), which in turn overlay the natural boulder clay. Two modern dumps were revealed in this trench.

Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway