County: Meath Site name: DRUMBARAGH (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A030/013, E3175
Author: Ed Danaher, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Structure, Hearth and Pit
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 669378m, N 775684m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.726204, -6.948693
This site was located within Contract 5 (Kells to north of Kells) of the proposed M3 Clonee to north of Kells motorway and was identified during advance testing by David Bayley (Excavations 2004, No. 1223, 04E1055). Full resolution in December 2006 revealed a round house measuring c. 6m in diameter. A circular arrangement of posts delineated the outer wall of this structure and these were likely to be load bearing. A hearth occupied the centre of the house, while numerous internal pits, which may have functioned as storage pits, were positioned around it. Some of these contained cremated bone, heat-shattered stone and charcoal-stained soil. A number of similar pits were present within the vicinity of the house, while a second group of nine pits were situated over 12m to the north. No diagnostic artefacts were associated with any of the excavated features. A single post-hole and a number of pits were also recorded. Post-medieval agricultural features, a field drain and an associated sump were also identified.
21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda
