2006:1573 - Johnstown 3, Meath

This site was located within Contract 1 (Dunboyne to Dunshaughlin) of the proposed M3 Clonee to north of Kells motorway and was identified during advance testing by Eamonn Cotter in March 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1253, 04E0476). Full resolution between January and February 2006 identified an oval pit with heavily oxidised edges (2.75m by 1.46m by 0.66m) containing numerous charcoal-rich deposits of burnt material with a lining of clay and burnt sandstone fragments. The pit had a narrow channel (0.26m width by 0.13m depth) curving away from it to the west and north. At the other end of the channel was a subcircular pit (0.83m diameter by 0.24m depth) which contained burnt bone, charcoal flecks and ten sherds of prehistoric pottery, recovered close to the sides and base. A number of post-holes encircled the oxidised feature and the function of these remains enigmatic. To the south-west a large subcircular pit (1.25m diameter by 0.78m depth) was revealed, which originally may have functioned as a well. Decorated and undecorated prehistoric pottery, of possible Neolithic to Late Bronze Age types, was recovered from the feature, along with unburnt animal bone and possible cremation deposits.
The site has been provisionally interpreted as a prehistoric pit kiln demarcated as a sacred space by its encircling posts and with associated nearby burial and possible feasting sites.