2007:1320 - Grange 1, Meath

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. 1245, 04E0925). It was excavated between 24 July and 16 August 2006 and was divided into four areas (A–D). A north–south linear ditch ran down the centre of the site. To the east of the ditch in Areas A and B there were areas of cobbling. To the west, in Areas C and D, there were only two features of note: a small pit and a kiln.
The subcircular pit (0.38m wide by 0.1m deep) was located in Area C, to the north-west of the site. Its fill consisted of approximately 50% charcoal and approximately 25% burnt bone. The remainder was sandy soil of loose compaction. This feature probably represents a small cremation pit.
The kiln (2.25m by 1.25m by 0.15m) was located in Area D and was roughly towards the centre of the entire area of excavation. It was aligned east–west, was of figure-of-eight type and contained three fills. The primary fill was a burnt basal layer and the upper fills were charcoal-rich clays. The sides of the kiln were almost vertical and the base was level. It has been interpreted as a possible cereal-drying kiln.
Four cobbled surfaces were located in Area A, which was in the south-east section of the area of excavation. They were all possibly contemporary. These cobbled areas were all irregular in plan and consisted of a single layer of similar-sized rounded stones (0.2–0.3m diameter). The largest spread measured 6m north-east/south-west and was 3m wide. All of the cobbled areas were c. 0.1m deep. Finds from these features included a circular worked stone.
Another layer/area of cobbling post-dated the main north–south ditch.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.

Editor’s note: Although excavated during 2006, the report on this site arrived too late for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.