2005:AD16 - ROESTOWN (2), Meath

The site at Roestown 2 is situated within Contract 2 (Dunshaughlin to Navan) of the proposed M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme. This enclosure complex was previously unrecorded and was first identified in 2000/2001 following a geophysical survey undertaken by GSB Prospection as part of the EIS undertaken by Margaret Gowen & Company Ltd. Testing took place between April and May 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1336, 04E0415). The total area of excavation extended to c. seven acres (200m north–south by 140m) on both sides of the Dublin–Navan road. During resolution of Roestown 2, which began in August 2005, five phases of activity were recognised (thus far).

Phase 1: enclosure A1 and associated activity
This phase was dominated by an oval-shaped enclosure (Enclosure A1) with attached curving ditches forming smaller ancillary enclosures. One such enclosure surrounded two disturbed human burials and may be related, while the fill of another contained the complete skeleton of a large dog. This phase may be dated to the 6th–8th centuries AD, based on the recovery of imported pottery known as E-ware. All the main features within this phase contained discarded animal bones, some of which had been butchered and burnt.

Phase 2: enclosure A2 and associated activity
This phase presumably witnessed the levelling and infilling of many of the Phase 1 features (although this could not be detected archaeologically) before a substantial enclosure (Enclosure A2) was constructed in its place. This enclosure may have been U-shaped and was associated with a number of radiating ditches, all of which contained significant amounts of animal bone, much of it bearing butchery marks. The finds from this phase were typically early medieval and included many bone pin and comb fragments and iron objects, particularly knives. A crudely executed chequered pattern on a flat stone representing a popular Viking Age board game may place this phase in the 8th–10th centuries AD.

Phase 3: enclosure A3 and associated activity
This phase began with the infilling of Enclosure A2 before a similarly sized ditch (Enclosure A3) was dug along the entire length of the former, in most places eradicating the Phase 2 ditch. This period may have witnessed the completion of the enclosure from a U-shaped edifice to a rectangular one. Many of the radial or associated ditches appear to have been recut, which may also have occurred at this time. Animal bone was found in large quantities. A date in the 10th or 11th centuries is possible. Noteworthy items from this phase include a strip of decorated bronze, a fragment of (?hack) silver, presumably cut off a larger object, a lignite bracelet fragment and a part of a possible bone whittle flute. This may be 10th or 11th century in date.

Phase 4: Anglo-Norman occupation
Following the Anglo-Norman conquest of Meath in the late 12th century, a small square-shaped ditched enclosure was constructed at the highest point of the site, roughly centred within the Phase 3 enclosure, which may still have been visible at the time. The ditch contained a small amount of animal bone, fragments of a 13th-century pottery type known as Dublin-type ware and a complete bodkin-style spearhead. Within this enclosed area was a single large pit; presumably further evidence of occupation (a sill beam structure for example) was removed by the ridge and furrow of Phase 5.

Phase 5: post-medieval to modern
This phase was particularly destructive, as it witnessed the formalising of the site’s natural elevated location into a cultivation terrace for ridge-and-furrow cultivation. This had the effect of removing or seriously denuding many features not cut into subsoil to any great depth, while disturbing and dispersing a number of artefacts from their original contexts across the site. In the modern period, a large quarry was excavated along the roadside. While not inflicting much damage on the overall site, it may have removed the chance to positively identify an entrance to the Phase 3 enclosure. This quarry was backfilled with material taken from an old schoolhouse and provided some further artefacts. The scarped edge of the N3 may also have removed archaeological features during its realignment in the 1970s.

Excavations will continue in 2006.

21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda