County: Meath Site name: RATHMULLAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 05E0352
Author: Shane Delaney, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 706528m, N 773717m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.702277, -6.386629
Excavation was required of features identified during an intensive testing programme carried out by Finola O’Carroll (Excavations 2002, No. 1508, 02E0183). Three areas of potential were identified on the basis of suspected pits and possible archaeological features. A fourth area was identified on the basis of an anomaly identified during a geophysical scan of the area.
Four additional test-trenches were excavated to the south of Field 6. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded at this location. An additional trench was opened parallel with the southern edge of the northern hedge line in Field 9. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded from here.
Area A, an area 20m by 22m north–south, was opened over anomalies in Field 6, revealing a number of shallow pits, some containing charcoal and evidence for burning. A possible hut site measuring 2m by 2.5m was identified. This consisted of a shallow pit and appeared to be flagged with irregular but flat stones. The stones were funnelled to the east and may have formed an entrance passage. A hearth was identified c. 0.3cm to the west.
No diagnostic finds were recovered from any of the features, but a number of struck flint items were retrieved from the topsoil. It is suspected that the possible hut site and hearth may be contemporary with the ephemeral remains of the pits and hearths and may represent the remains of a temporary encampment.
Area B, an area 16m by 13m (south-east/north-west), was opened over the anomaly identified in the geophysical scan. A modern stone-filled drain was recorded to the east of the area. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded from the area.
Area C, an area 16.5m by 17.5m, was opened over a possible pit feature identified during testing. This was the only feature identified in the area. The pit was irregular and, although it contained charcoal, was not deemed to be of archaeological significance.
Area D, an area 28m by 18m, was opened over an anomaly identified during the testing programme. It was identified as a pit that contained a charcoal-rich fill with heat-shattered stone. This is probably the remains of a cooking pit. Three linear cuts were identified crossing the area and upon investigation were identified as modern drainage features.
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