County: Meath Site name: ARDSALLAGH 3, ARDSALLAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A008/036
Author: Linda Clarke, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda.
Site type: Post-medieval, possible hearths
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 688137m, N 763622m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.615004, -6.667933
This site was located within Contract 2 (Dunshaughlin to Navan) of the proposed M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme. It was initially identified during testing by Stephen Linnane in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1163, 04E0421). During this phase of works a pit containing charcoal and burnt bone was identified. Subsequently, it was decided to remove the topsoil from an area of 420m2 and excavate all features revealed.
The pit identified during testing was re-exposed and interpreted as a post-medieval hearth feature (0.67m by 0.45m). It consisted of red-brick fragments located around the remains of a millstone. The area around this feature was scorched. Two additional hearth features (1.02m by 0.6m and 0.75m by 0.6m) were also identified. Both of these features were constructed from red brick and stones. All of these hearth features were of similar construction and therefore all appear to be post-medieval in date.
Three linear features, which probably functioned as drains, were also identified.
Finds recovered included post-medieval earthenware, nails and slag. It is likely that this slag was produced on site.
