2005:1557 - OLD RELIC ROAD, KILBEGGAN, Westmeath

Subsequent to geophysical survey, test-trenching and monitoring of topsoil-stripping of this proposed development site within the zone of archaeological potential for Kilbeggan and across the road from the site of a Cistercian abbey (see No. 1556 above), archaeological excavations took place between April and July 2005.
Features identified during the excavation included a burial ground with a subrectangular ditched enclosure around it measuring c. 20m by 20m. Approximately 960 burials were excavated from within the enclosure, as well as a substantial amount of disarticulated remains. The majority of the burials were orientated from east to west in simple graves. It appears to have been a community burial ground used over a period of time, as all ages were well represented in the assemblage. Most of the burials intercut each other and phases were difficult to elucidate, given the density of the burials. Some of the burials had finds associated with them, including a bone comb, a double-sided copper alloy comb, a coloured glass bead and a finger ring. Three burials exhibited signs of violent death – two by arrowheads and one by a spearhead, all found in rib cages during excavation. There was evidence for possible structures and metalworking activity within the burial enclosure in the form of several post-holes, possible smithing hearths and the recovery of slag from some deposits.
Towards the east of the site portions of a large ditch that would be affected by the proposed development were excavated. This ditch may be part of the enclosing ditch for the Cistercian abbey located to the east of the site. Further analysis of the material removed from the ditch is being carried out in order to establish a date for it.
Post-excavation analysis of the remains from this site is ongoing.