2007:1292 - Cookstown Great 3, Meath

Areas A and B, excavated on the M3 Clonee–Kells route, were situated on low-lying ground close to a stream and both relate to burnt-mound activity.
Evidence of burnt-mound activity consisted of various pits and troughs and patches of grey and black soil containing heat-affected stones were found in Area A. A number of large pits are interpreted as waterholes and other smaller pits may have been used for cooking. It is thought that these features are representative of Bronze Age activity in the area and are associated with the features in Area B and possibly also those at the west end of Area C (circular hut structure).
Area B was located a short distance to the north of Area A. Patches of burnt-mound material and a number of well-defined circular and oval pits filled with grey/black soil and heat-affected stones were found. Further deposits of burnt-mound material were excavated from irregular and poorly defined features which may have been caused by root activity.
Area C was situated on a flat hilltop and its western slope, which leads down to a stream and Areas A and B. On the higher ground two rectangular structures thought to date to the Neolithic period (structures A and B) and a concentration of pits dating to the medieval period were excavated. Lower down the slope, a circular hut structure (Structure C) and a further concentration of post-holes associated with a possible roasting pit were excavated. This activity may be associated with the burnt-mound activity in areas A and B.
Structure A was situated on flat ground at the top of the hill. It consisted of a rectangular foundation trench measuring 6.8m by 5m internally and was oriented east–west. The trench was most substantial on the east side, where it measured up to 0.46m wide by 0.35m deep. The fill included packing stones, small amounts of charcoal and a small quantity of prehistoric pottery. Elsewhere the foundation trench was on average 0.2m wide by 0.1m deep. The structure was truncated by a linear ditch oriented north-north-west/south-south-east and a large irregular pit which occupied the south-east corner of the structure. One possible support post was identified in the interior. Additional pits in the vicinity appear to post-date the house and may be associated with the medieval pits to the north-east.
Structure B was located a short distance west-north-west and slightly downslope of Structure A. It was rectangular, with foundation trenches on three sides. It measured 7.2m by 4m and was oriented north-east/south-west. There was no evidence for a foundation trench on the east side. The foundation trench was on average 0.35m wide by 0.3m deep and contained frequent packing stones and some posts set into the trench. To the south the trench was shallower and less defined, and measured 0.4m wide by 0.13m deep. There was a charcoal-rich deposit in the interior of the structure, at the north-east end, which may be the remnants of an occupation layer. There were also two possible post-holes in the interior. No finds were recovered from this structure.
On the lower part of the slope there was evidence of a small circular post-built structure, Structure C, c. 4m in diameter, consisting of seven post-holes and a central hearth. The remains of this hut had been heavily truncated and were very slight, with the posts measuring as little as 0.05m deep. One of the posts contained a sherd of probable Bronze Age pottery.
About 15m to the north of Structure C there was a further concentration of pits and stake-holes. The central feature was a subcircular pit, 1.14m by 0.92m by 0.36m, which contained a charcoal-rich fill and heat-affected stones. The edges of the pit were oxidised and there was a layer of flat stones close to the surface. The function of this layer of stones is unclear. Eight stake-holes were randomly distributed around the east side of the pit. Further to the east a small pit contained sherds of decorated Bronze Age pottery.
To the north-east of Structure A there were two circular pits, a subrectangular pit and a linear feature. One of the pits contained charcoal, burnt bone, ash, a sherd of medieval pottery and two iron objects. A shallow pit situated at the north-east corner of Structure A contained a piece of slag and is probably associated with the medieval activity.
An area measuring 25m by 25m, Area D, was cleaned, and two shallow pits and a section of a ditch were excavated. The ditch was related to the old railway line and the two pits were probably associated with this activity.