2007:1335 - Kilmainham 1B, Meath

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Meath Site name: Kilmainham 1B

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A029/054; E3142

Author: David Bayley, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Site type: Pits/post-holes

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 675666m, N 773984m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.710059, -6.853835

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. 1270, 04E0917). It was excavated between 8 January and 30 March 2007 and was defined by a series of isolated, dispersed, prehistoric and possible early medieval features associated with peripheral activity related to the main habitation areas of Kilmainham 1A and 1C (see No. 1334 above; see No. 1336 below).
In the northern section of the area of excavation were four kilns, two of which were north–south, sub-oval, figure-of-eight-shaped (2.14m by 0.75m by 0.21–0.35m and 2.16m by 1.12m by 0.44m), one was sub-oval (1.98m by 0.6–0.88m by 0.27–0.35m) and the fourth (0.4m by 0.4m by 0.22m) was associated with hearths, post-holes and a stone platform (2m by 1.5m by 0.1m). Several hearths (averaging 0.97m by 0.67m by 0.12m) were identified along with one (0.96m by 0.73m by 0.05–0.06m) with seven associated stake-holes forming a triangular possible windbreak around it. Several pits (averaging 1.3m by 1.12m by 0.33m), some of which were refuse pits, and one stone- and timber-lined pit (1.9m by 0.7m by 0.25m) were noted. Neolithic pottery sherds were recovered from some of the refuse pits.
In the southern part of the site several post-holes (averaging 0.37m by 0.3m by 0.25m), a possible ditch and a few shallow pits (averaging 1.78m by 1.34m by 0.38m) were recorded. Although one of the pits was heavily disturbed, it yielded decorated vase sherds. There was no evidence of burnt bone.
There were three large and one small east–west boundary ditches on the site. These were close to other features such as furrows, drainage ditches and possible later pits.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.