County: Meath Site name: GAINSTOWN (2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A023/010, E3102
Author: Terry Connell, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 685300m, N 764286m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.621446, -6.710607
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 Aidan O’Connell in May 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1241, 04E0578). Full resolution between September and October 2006 revealed two definite burnt mounds, one probable burnt mound and several associated pits. Burnt Mounds 1 and 2 were both shallow spreads of burnt and shattered stones contained within black clay. Neither burnt mound had an associated trough. Burnt Mound 3 differed greatly. An area was dug out to contain the used burnt-mound material. Underneath this were the remains of a possible trough, while cut into the bottom of this was a circular feature which infringed upon the water table. This may have been dug to keep a continuous flow of water coming into the trough. Close to this were a number of pits, mostly rectangular in shape, which contained burnt-mound material and perhaps acted as troughs. Further pits containing burnt-mound material were observed.
21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda
