2007:1302 - Donacarney Great, Meath

This excavation took place in advance of the construction of 365 homes by Mycete Homes Ltd. The area was identified as being of archaeological potential by Carmel Duffy in April 2007 under licence 06E0413 (see No. 1301 above), which was extended to cover excavation of the site which took place in June 2007. An area of c. 65m by 45m was stripped of topsoil and a total of sixteen archaeological features were identified.
The features consisted of six large pits, six small pits, three corn-drying kilns and two spreads of burnt material. A small iron knife was recovered from one of the pits, which was identified as being of early medieval type. A large quantity of animal bone and carbonised plant remains were recovered from the fills of the pits and analysis of this material indicates that it is consistent with an early medieval date. The material is dominated by cattle, followed by sheep and pig. A few specimens belonging to horse, goat and duck were identified as well as dog and cat bones. Bone material from Donacarney Great is likely to represent cleaning of the site by backfilling the pits; in some cases backfilling is likely to represent a single episode or short-term activity. The evidence suggests that animals were slaughtered, processed and (as there was evidence of roasting) consumed at the site. A radiocarbon date of ad 320–540 (2 sigma) was obtained from one of the animal bones.
It is thought that this site represents a series of rubbish pits and kilns that may have been associated with a nearby settlement. Traces of this settlement may be located elsewhere in the vicinity. It is thought that an early medieval burial-ground lies a short distance to the north-east of this site, which was investigated under licence 07E0622 (see No. 1303 below).