2006:1516 - Boyerstown 1, 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 between April and May 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1190, 04E0580) after a geophysical anomaly was observed during the Bartlett-Clarke Consultancy survey (2001). Full resolution began in May 2006 and is not yet complete. Excavation has revealed the remains of a drystone-built, two-roomed medieval house, which had previously been thoroughly demolished and levelled. The total length of the house was c. 16.7m and it was 5m in width. A number of metalled surfaces partially traverse the site and are mostly localised around the structure. Numerous metalled linear drain features were also recorded around the perimeter of the structure; their function was to drain water away from the metalled surfaces and house. The metalled surfaces were found in places to overlie and post-date deposits and earlier linear and curvilinear features. One of these features produced the fragmentary remains of a human skull. Most of the features also produced animal bone. Post-medieval activity is represented on the site in the form of linear parallel furrows and stone field drains.
The site has produced a substantial amount of artefacts and the current artefact count stands at 7300. These include pottery sherds, metal, coins, beads, flint and a number of lead musket balls. The vast majority of these artefacts date to the medieval period. Approximately 70% are sherds of medieval pottery (green-glazed cooking ware and coarseware) that date to the 12th–14th centuries. A fine example of a medieval ring brooch was also recovered. The artefacts were mainly distributed over the metalled areas and across the building remains.
The site represents a substantial previously unknown rural medieval settlement dating from the 12th to 14th century.