2006:1487 - ARDBRACCAN (2), Meath

This site was located within Contract 3 (Navan bypass) of the proposed M3 Clonee to north of Kells motorway and was identified during advance testing by Neil Fairburn during May 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1158, 04E0584). Full resolution occurred between May and July 2006. The site lay in pasture at the southern edge of an area of marshy ground. Excavation revealed evidence for a probable Bronze Age burnt-mound complex, a substantial enclosure of probable early medieval date, four principal field systems probably dating from the Iron Age to the present day, as well as a number of pits, post-holes, hearths and possible corn-drying kilns.

The burnt-mound complex consisted of a central subrectangular trough, a shallow bowl-shaped pit, seven slightly irregular pits, a burnt-stone spread and various well-worn areas of metalling. The trough (rounded corners and vertical sides) was centrally positioned, the pits ranged from 0.8m to 1.3m in diameter and the crescent-shaped, burnt-stone spread, situated slightly upslope, measured 14.5m by 5.5m with a maximum depth of 0.2m. A metalled surface had been created in the areas around the pits and the mound. This complex was cut by the enclosure ditch.

This oval enclosure measured c. 51m east–west by 42.5m externally and was defined by a U-shaped ditch (on average 3.5m wide by 0.95m deep). The enclosure included a narrow gated entrance in the south-eastern corner and a wider, later, bridge that allowed access to the boggy ground to the north. The ditch fills were largely sterile, but they included evidence for a series of recuts. Internal features respected an apparent bank that may have been stone faced to allow for greater height. A palisade had been added to this along the western edge and a drain had been created at the lower-lying northern part of the enclosure. At the centre, a sizeable oval structure measured c. 10.5m by c. 8.5m externally. This was defined by a drainage gully, with a small internal hearth and a subrectangular pit. To the south of this an annexe extended the structure by c. 6m in length. A central post-hole was revealed in this extended area. A small iron blade, a possible stone lamp, as well as a quantity of burnt and butchered animal bone were found in association with this structure. A smaller structure (at least 4m in external diameter) in the north-eastern corner of the enclosure consisted of a curving slot-trench and an associated exterior pit. A small external annexe was defined by a drainage gully positioned to the north-west. This gully drained into the main enclosure ditch.

Four principal field systems have been identified. These are likely to date to the Iron Age and the early-medieval, medieval or early post-medieval and post-medieval periods. The earliest (possibly Iron Age) system is characterised by subrectangular and irregular straight-sided fields with small U-shaped ditches, although these have probably been heavily ploughed out. Two probable corn-drying kilns and a small rectangular enclosure in the corner of one field may have been associated. The early medieval field system is characterised by subrectangular fields with substantial U-shaped field ditches, up to 2.5m wide by 0.9m deep, which in places recut the earlier field ditches. The medieval/early post-medieval field system is represented by elongated, rectangular fields defined by shallow drainage ditches. A laneway or drove-way of this period is defined by double ditches and raised earth banks positioned on either side of a c. 4.5m-wide thoroughfare. The post-medieval system was characterised by large rectangular fields with sizeable single-ditch boundaries. These ditches are up to 2.4m wide with upcast, earth banks largely extant. Numerous furrows follow the alignment of these boundaries, generally at c. 2m intervals, while a sizeable dewpond had been cut or recut in the marshy area to the north.

Goodagrane Farmhouse, Halvasso, Nr Mabe, Cornwall, UK, TR10 9BX