County: Meath Site name: Ardsallagh 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: A008/035, E3088
Author: Linda Clarke, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda.
Site type: Ring-ditch with associated cremations and inhumations
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 688414m, N 763480m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.613681, -6.663789
This site was located within Contract 2 (Dunshaughlin to Navan) of the proposed M3 Clonee to north of Kells motorway. It was identified during the geophysical survey (GSB Prospection, 2001) and tested by Steve Linnane in April 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1163, 04E0421). Full resolution took place between August and November 2005 and April and June 2006. The ring-ditch (c. 13m diameter by 2m width by 0.58m depth) contained three fills, with fragments of cremated bone and animal bone throughout. Three radiocarbon dates for the ring-ditch have now been returned (ad 390–550, ad 370–540 and ad 440–640).
A total of 23 burials were located within the area defined by the ring-ditch; one was positioned within the entranceway (radiocarbon dates to AD 410–600) and four were discovered outside the ring-ditch (one to the north-west and three to the north-north-east). A small square piece of metal, which may represent the remains of a pendant, and a possible circular mount or staff-end lying above tiny timber fragments were recovered from two of the burials.
Four or five pits containing cremated bone were identified. A large ditch, which was located immediately east of the ring-ditch, was also revealed. It would seem that this feature was created while the ring-ditch was still visible, as it curved considerably to avoid it. This feature post-dated the insertion of the burials, cutting through the lower portion of one.
A second area of activity was located east of this linear ditch, comprising a series of post-holes, shallow depressions, metalled stone surfaces and a curving ditch. It is possible that these features represent the remains of a structural feature. Sherds of a late Bronze Age vessel which contained cremated bone were also recovered from this site. This pot was inserted in an upright position and only the base and a small portion of the side survived. The bone has been radiocarbon dated to 1060–880 bc. It was located a short distance north-west of the ring-ditch. It would therefore appear that the insertion of the vessel signified the first phase of activity on the site.
