County: Meath Site name: ARDSALLAGH (5)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A008/038
Author: Linda Clarke, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Church
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 688027m, N 763939m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.617869, -6.669506
This site was located within Contract 2 (Dunshaughlin to Navan) of the proposed M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme. It was situated 88m from the ruins of Cannistown church and graveyard and was initially identified during testing by Stephen Linnane in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1163, 04E0421). During this phase of works a pit containing burnt bone and charcoal was revealed along with two ditches. It was subsequently decided to remove the topsoil from an area of 271m2 and excavate all features identified. The area of excavation was extremely narrow and quite long, running between an existing road to the west and the edge of the proposed land-take to the east.
Excavation revealed the remains of a keyhole-shaped drying kiln. This feature (maximum dimensions 1.8m by 0.86m by 0.35m) was cut into the natural subsoil and was not stone-lined. The partial remains of a circular structure consisting of a series of six post-holes, a double post-hole and two central posts were also identified. This structure extended outside the proposed land-take, so the full extent could not be determined. The excavated portion of this feature had internal dimensions of 3.6m by 2.6m and external dimensions of 4m by 2.8m. No finds were recovered from this structure and no central hearth was recovered.
Three pits were also located within the area of excavation. The largest of these (1.16m by 2.2m by 0.43m) was situated towards the northern edge of the site. The full extent of this feature was not exposed, as it extended outside the proposed land-take. A significant amount of slag was recovered from its fills. This, combined with layers of charcoal and burning, would suggest that the pit was possibly used for metalworking activities. The further two pits (0.9m by 0.75m and 2.25m by 0.85m) contained animal bone and slag and both probably functioned as refuse pits.
Additional features included three linear ditches, four small shallow linear features, two stone-metalled surfaces and two isolated post-holes. It was not possible to establish the significance of these features.
Finds recovered from this site included a blue glass bead, a bone handle and slag fragments.
It is likely that all the features identified were early medieval in date and may have been associated with the early foundations of Canninstown church.
21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda
