2007:1314 - Site 11, Garadice, Meath

The excavation of Site 11, Garadice, was carried out between April and May 2007. The site was identified in January 2007 during testing carried out on the route of the Phase 2 Summerhill to Kilcock section of the realignment scheme of the R158, undertaken on behalf of Meath County Council.
The excavation encompassed a rectangular area which measured 40m north–south by 17.5m. The site was located in a low-lying flat area immediately to the east of the current R158 and within the realignment of this road. The general area consists of gently rolling hills, mostly farmland in pasture. Site 11 was located c. 240m south-west of Garadice Castle (ME049–002), a ruined tower-house, and c. 200m south of Site 10 (see No. 1313 above, 07E0296), a medieval settlement with a secondary function as a burial-ground, the latter also identified and resolved during this current scheme of archaeological works.
A large number of archaeological features were exposed during the excavation, mainly consisting of pits, gullies and linear ditches, which were interpreted as part of a late medieval settlement. The main features within the site consisted of two large pits, interpreted as wells or water-pits, and a large number of shallow pits and linear gullies, some interconnected and forming a possible channel associated with one of the large water pits/wells. A possible structure was identified which consisted of post-holes, stake-holes, pits, and a possible hearth, which were partially enclosed by two possible slot-trenches. There was no distinct pattern among the majority of features within the site and stratification of features was evident in places. A number of features extended beyond the limit of excavation and visible potential archaeological anomalies were observed in the field to the east of the site, which may contain additional structures and possibly the nucleus of the settlement.
Based on the large amount of iron slag encountered, the site was interpreted as having been used for iron production and possibly also pottery production, again based on the large amount of sherds of local wares of 12th–14th-century date. Metal finds consisted of corroded ferrous objects, including a scythe, and small objects of copper alloy, resembling strap-ends or possible book clasps, of which one bore incised linear decorations. Material evidence suggests the settlement continued in existence into the early post-medieval period, although to a lesser extent. A more specific date will be retained from radiocarbon dating of the features and the specialist report on the finds.