2006:1630 - RAYNESTOWN (1), 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. 1333, 04E0472). Full resolution of the site between July and September 2006 revealed a continuous double ring-ditch (outer ditch: 30m circumference and 32m external diameter; inner ditch: 9.6m external diameter) with outer banks. There were two recuts, in both the inner and the outer ditch. There was no evidence for natural silting in either ditch and, therefore, these two phases are likely to have occurred in a short space of time. The symmetry between the two ditches seems intentional and, combined with the phasing of the recuts, both ditches appear to be following a similar history.

A large quantity of animal bone was recovered from the ditches, including that of boar, which suggests the use of this monument by people of high status. In the south-east quadrant of the outer ring-ditch ritual deposits of charcoal and cremated bone were recovered. Excavation of the ditch produced multiple artefacts, including an antler handle with a cut for hafting, a piece of antler with a groove for a tether and numerous sherds of Late Bronze Age pottery. Some of the sherds displayed faint lines of burning near the rims, which may suggest the use of lids. Other sherds, of crude type, appear to have derived from massive immobile pots. Many of the breaks were fresh, thus demonstrating that the vessels had been broken on-site before being deliberately thrown into the ditch, marking a significant event, as opposed to accidental or casual loss. The majority of the pottery was well fired and of high quality.

21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda