County: Meath Site name: Cakestown Glebe 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A029/038; E3158
Author: Patricia Lynch, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Ring-ditch
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 674395m, N 777366m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.740621, -6.872282
This site was located within Contract 4 (Navan–Kells and Kells bypass) of the M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme and was identified during testing carried out by Jo Ronayne (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1345, 04E0913). It was excavated between 12 February and 30 March 2007 and was defined by a ring-ditch and associated features. Finds included prehistoric pottery, a leaf-shaped double-faceted blade, flint and flint debitage, and some metal fragments.
The ring-ditch (16.5m diameter) was located in the western section of the area of excavation. There was also a hearth area with associated stake-holes, pits and post-holes. Flakes and natural-shaped flint were recovered from this area.
A large pit was present that was truncated by a smaller cremation pit that contained human remains. There were also stake-holes associated with this feature.
A series of large, deep post-holes located to the east of the site had been interpreted as a circular structure (Structure 1). Some of these post-holes appeared to have supporting posts next to them. In the centre of this structure was a hearth surrounded by a group of stake-holes. Further post- and stake-holes were scattered to the east.
In the south-eastern part of the site there was a group of pits and post-holes. The fills of the pits were rich in charcoal and from one of them a leaf-shaped, double-faceted flint blade was recovered.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.
