County: Meath Site name: KNOCKMARK (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A017/028, E3050
Author: Holger Schweitzer, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Neolithic (4000BC-2501 BC)
ITM: E 694301m, N 751112m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.501549, -6.578567
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 Tara O’Neill in March–May 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1278, 04E0482). Full resolution of the site took place between April and May 2006. The archaeological features consisted of a number of shallow features, including three abutting cremation deposits, a hearth and associated features, several pits, two medieval field boundaries and a considerable number of prehistoric tree boles. The site was heavily washed with alluvial deposits.
The tree boles were located in concentrated numbers downslope and away from the stream. Diagnostic Neolithic flint was found within secure contexts of some of these tree boles. All of them contained the organic remains of tree roots and the majority had clear evidence of in situ burning. The large number of tree root remains with charcoal and burnt clay within the tree boles was consistent throughout the site and probably indicates prehistoric slash-and-burn tree clearance. Large mammal bones were discovered in several of the tree boles. The lack of much other archaeological activity in this area of the site, coupled with the Neolithic flints found within these tree boles, suggests that this was a temporary camp for tree clearance during the Neolithic period.
21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda
