2004:1723 - CL 3, CLONFAD, Westmeath

This work was undertaken as part of a programme of testing ahead of the proposed realignment of the N6 Dublin-Galway carriageway. This was one of sixteen sites of archaeological potential identified during the compilation of an EIS. The site is situated in the eastern part of an undulating field currently in pasture, at Chainage point 3700m on the proposed N52 realignment, which is being undertaken as part of the N6 improvement. The field is bordered to the east by the existing N52 roadway, which is c. 2m below the level of the site.

The site is situated on the east-facing slope of a prominent hillock that overlooks the area. There is a church building in ruins with associated graveyard and enclosing wall (SMR 32:89) situated on the top of this hillock, c. 30m to the west. The site itself encompasses the area to the east of the church. Ecclesiastical activity is recorded in the area from as early as the 9th century, with a church on the site being referred to in the Annals of the Four Masters in AD 887.

A geophysical survey was carried out before the excavation of any of the test-trenches. This identified a large south-west/north-east-oriented rectilinear enclosure measuring c. 20m across that extends beyond the eastern boundary of the CPO. Four trenches were excavated along the full extent of the road-take. These were interlinked via a series of smaller test-trenches. Evidence of archaeological activity was uncovered in several of the trenches.

The main feature uncovered was an inhumation burial at Chainage point 3718m. The remains measured c. 0.85m in length and probably belonged to a juvenile, although a full determination of age and sex were not possible at this stage. The remains had been deposited in an east-west-oriented grave-cut measuring c. 1m in length and 0.4m in width. The body was in a supine position, with the head at the western end of the grave. The skull survived only in a fragmentary state, with most of the facial and parietal zones having been destroyed. Despite the fact that the burial had been disturbed by more recent activity, the bone was in a very good state of preservation. It was decided that full excavation would be delayed until the resolution phase, when a more complete support infrastructure would be in place. An additional area measuring c. 6m by 6m was opened surrounding the inhumation but failed to produce evidence of any further burials.

Approximately 20m to the north-west a single severely damaged disarticulated skull was uncovered within the ploughsoil at a depth of 0.37m; it appeared to be human and possibly that of a subadult. It seems likely that this skull has been displaced from a grave further up the hill to the west and outside the road corridor during the extensive groundworks that have been carried out in the field.

The geophysical survey carried out ahead of testing had identified an area of possible intense burning activity at Chainage point 3680m. This was investigated and shown to be a deposit of burnt material measuring up to 0.25m in depth. This deposit contained a considerable amount of animal bone; however, it also produced a large amount of barbed wire and other agricultural waste, which suggests that it dates from the very recent past.

At Chainage point 3690m a subcircular pit measuring 1.4m by 1.2m was uncovered. An irregularly shaped linear feature extended from the southern end of the pit for c. 3.5m. A section excavated into the pit revealed a steep-sided feature containing several deposits of charcoal-rich material that also included frequent chunks of burnt clay. This was followed by an episode of deliberate backfilling before the feature was finally abandoned and filled by fine silty clay. The same sequence was found in the linear feature that extends from the pit. The sides of both the pit and linear sections of the feature had been deliberately lined with large stones. In the majority of cases, these were mixed subrectangular and rounded stones ranging in size from 0.2m to 0.4m in diameter and had been built up into three or four courses. In several places, large boulders measuring as much as 0.9m by 0.65m had been placed against the edge of the cut to form the stone lining.

It seems likely that this represents a kiln-type feature, possibly a corn-drying kiln, although no seed or grain was recovered. An additional area measuring c. 8m by 6m was excavated around this feature but failed to uncover any more evidence of archaeological activity.

Approximately 25m to the north, at Chainage point 3714m, a small circular pit was uncovered. This pit measured c. 0.9m in diameter and was bisected by a modern north-west/south-east-oriented agricultural furrow. A section excavated into the feature was stopped at a depth of 0.23m. It revealed a steep-sided pit that contained a single fill comprising a deposit of orange/pink burnt clay with occasional small pieces of charcoal, as well as fragments of both burnt and unburnt bone.

Finally, an isolated pit was uncovered at the southernmost extent of the road corridor in this area at Chainage point 3674m. It was subcircular in plan and measured 1.5m in diameter. A limited section was excavated into the feature to a depth of 0.23m, which revealed the fill to be a single grey gritty clay with several pieces of animal bone. An area measuring c. 5m by 5m was opened around this feature but uncovered no further evidence of archaeological activity.

It should be noted that the site had been subject to extensive modern groundworks as well as agricultural work, which may have greatly disturbed many of the remains. The rectilinear enclosure identified in the geophysical survey would appear to have been a post-medieval field boundary that was backfilled and expanded on several occasions as more and more of the surrounding wet land was successfully reclaimed. In the southern and southeastern parts of the site there was also a substantial deposit of orange/brown gritty clay with frequent small pebbles. Upon talking to the landowner, it became clear that extensive work had been done in this part of the field to reclaim what had originally been extremely wet boggy land. In addition, several modern agricultural furrows and land drains were uncovered throughout the northern part of the site.

Conclusion
A zone of archaeological interest measuring c. 70m by 30m has been identified during testing at Clonfad 3. No single continuous horizon of activity was uncovered. The activity represents an assortment of isolated features, including two pits and a possible corn-drying kiln. It seems likely that these were roughly contemporary, although this could not be demonstrated archaeologically. Of particular interest is the in situ burial that was uncovered. Although no further inhumations were discovered in the area immediately surrounding the burial, this does not rule out the possibility of more human remains associated with the church being uncovered. Indeed, the presence of disarticulated remains to the west of the burial suggests that the potential for more human bone either disturbed or in situ is quite high.