2007:1303 - DONACARNEY GREAT, Meath

This excavation took place in advance of the second phase of a housing development by Mycete Homes Ltd. A possible burial-ground was located in this area by Carmel Duffy in April 2007 (see No. 1301, Excavations 2007, 06E0413), and work was due to start on excavation of the site in June 2007 under licence 07E0622. During the monitoring of initial groundworks on the site human remains were located in an area well away from the material discovered by Duffy, which led to the conclusion that the burial-ground is far larger than had originally been anticipated. The decision was made by Mycete Homes to temporarily halt work on this site until all other building work in the area has been completed. The burial that had been discovered during monitoring was excavated and found to be an adult male, estimated to be 25–35 years at death, interred within a shallow grave in a supine extended position. His living stature was estimated to be 169.4cm, and approximately 50% of the expected remains were present. A radiocarbon date of AD 575–670 (2 sigma) was obtained from a sample from one of the ribs.

It is not known at present if the buildings planned for this site will now be constructed.