2006:1584 - KELLS: Townparks, Meath

The site at Townparks, Co. Meath, was situated in the location of a small hill, adjacent to the Blackwater River and close to the site of the possible prehistoric barrow and henge monument on the Hill of Lloyd. Monitoring was carried out by Damian Finn (see No. 1583, Excavations 2006) and Phase 1 excavations by Ruth Elliott between 29 August and 6 October 2006. All features identified during monitoring were fully excavated. There were a significant number of features newly identified during excavation. Where practicable, these were excavated during Phase 1, although many were left for Phase 2 excavations.

The palisade enclosure was formed by a group of 88 post-holes and nineteen stake-holes forming a broad arc surrounding the base of the hill. To continue the arc along its projected line would form a circle 100m in diameter and fully enclose the hill. However, as less than a quarter span of the possible circle lay within the excavation area, it is impossible to conclusively determine its original shape in plan. There was a great deal of uniformity in the line of the palisade and form of the structural elements. The majority of post-pipes and stake-holes appeared to have been burnt in situ. Three possible entrances were identified at the north-west, south-west and south-east. At the north-west a series of support features and two pits in the area may have been associated with an entranceway. A pit containing metalworking waste lay a good distance outside this possible entrance.

Three curvilinear ditches were uncovered which reflected the line of the palisade enclosure and may have represented additional enclosures for the same internal activity. These were located 20m and 30m inside and 2m outside the structure. While it is possible they were contemporary, it is more likely that one replaced another, possibly as the settlement expanded in size. A stony spread on the southern side of the hill was internal to the palisade enclosure and pre-dated one of the curvilinear ditches. Though not fully examined during Phase 1, this appeared to have a roughly curvilinear distribution around the base of the hill and may have represented the remains of a bank. Two additional curvilinear features ran along a different line to the palisade and may have formed an independent enclosure, although no return for the predicted line of this curve was uncovered during Phase 1.

Inside the palisade enclosure 34 pits, fifteen post-holes, thirteen stake-holes and three linear features were examined. Most were concentrated on the south and west sides of the hill and at least three phases of activity were represented. The large majority of pits were of uncertain function, but one inside the possible north-west entrance may have been used for drying grain. No definite structural pattern could be determined from the support features but many appeared to have been burnt in situ. Near the top of the hill were the backfilled remains of a probable quarry or gravel pit. Its original excavation may have created the hill-wash which initially concealed many archaeological features on the south side of the hill. With no trace of a quarry or gravel pit on the OS maps for the area, it is possible the feature pre-dated 1836.

It is known that archaeological material lies below development level on the north side of the site and this will remain preserved in situ. Phase 2 excavations will examine features newly uncovered during excavation and will investigate a large area in the south-east part of the site that remains to be stripped of topsoil (see No. 1585, Excavations 2006).

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