2007:1336 - Kilmainham 1C, Meath

This site was located within Contract 4 (Navan–Kells and Kells bypass) of the M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme archaeological investigations. It was identified during testing carried out by Jo Ronayne, IAC Ltd, in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1270, 04E0917). It was excavated between September 2006 and March 2007.
The archaeological activity at Kilmainham 1C was defined by a number of possible prehistoric structures, a possible stone platform, stake-hole ‘fences’, numerous pits, hearths, burnt mounds, a possible pond, boundary ditches, two inhumation burials and a number of cereal-drying kilns. The archaeological features were spread over a very large area and the main concentration of activity was focused in the eastern half of the site. The total size of the site was c. 21,330m2. Preliminary analysis of the finds suggests that the main phases of activity date to the Early Neolithic, the Bronze Age and, possibly, the early medieval period.
Neolithic/Bronze Age activity
Neolithic activity was primarily identified by the presence of Early Neolithic pottery recovered from pits, hearths and post-holes throughout the site. A possible Neolithic structure (Structure I) was tentatively identified within the eastern half of the site. This structure was aligned east–west and was 8m long and 6m wide. It was defined by a rectangular arrangement of stone-packed post-holes. A large sherd of Early Neolithic pottery was recovered from the packing fill of one of these structural post-holes. A well-defined hearth and associated stake-holes were also uncovered at the centre of the structure. This structure was surrounded by numerous pits and hearths. One of these pits (C1233) contained a large quantity of Early Neolithic pottery.
The surrounding area was dominated by high concentrations of pits, hearths and stake-holes encompassing an area of c. 60m by 40m. Distinct parallel ‘lines’ of stake-holes were orientated north–south across this area. These stake-holes may have been the basis for fences, perhaps defining areas of differing activities. Radiocarbon dating is required to phase these fence lines; however, it was clear that they respect the dated Neolithic features.
A large pit (C2208) was also located within this area of intense archaeological activity. The primary deposits of this pit contained numerous sherds of prehistoric pottery. These deposits were overlain by large dumps of sterile redeposited subsoil.
Stone platform
This feature was subcircular in plan and c. 10m in diameter. It consisted of a series of well-defined delicate stone surfaces that were sealed by charcoal-rich deposits. The main stone level was defined by closely placed rounded pebbles which were partially surrounded and cut by a series of stake- and post-holes. Flint debitage and small sherds of prehistoric pottery were recovered from the upper levels of this platform.
Rectangular structure
This large feature (C2218) was c. 16m south-east/north-west and a maximum of 13.5m. It was defined by an irregular gully/foundation trench which formed three sides of a square-shaped structure but with no return on the western side. The foundation trench was 0.1–0.5m deep and 0.5–0.9m wide. It is possible that this foundation trench/gully supported upright wooden posts and planks, as elements of stone packing were recorded in some sections of the foundation trench. No internal post-holes or other features were present. One find, a spindle-whorl, was recovered in the foundation trench/gully. Radiocarbon dating is required to establish a date for this feature.
Dispersed features in the west of the site
The western half of the site was characterised by numerous dispersed prehistoric features including hearths, pits (some of which contained large quantities of Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery), a possible structure defined by stake-holes, a stone surface and two burnt mounds.
The burnt mounds
Two burnt mounds were located in the western half of the site. Burnt Mound A was located adjacent to a possible pond which occupied a hollow or low point within the undulating field. This burnt mound was aligned north–south and was 5m wide, 12m long and c. 0.3m deep. It sealed a rectangular trough which had well-defined stake-holes at each of its corners. The stake-holes would have supported stakes which would have acted as supports for an upright wooden lining. The second burnt mound was located at the western extent of the site. It was 18m long, 9m wide and 0.15m deep. It had no discernible trough although a number of pits and hearths were located immediately adjacent to it. Other features possibly associated with the burnt mound included a line of stake-holes to the south which were aligned east–west.
Early medieval activity?
A total of eleven ‘figure-of-eight’ cereal-drying kilns were excavated. The majority of these had several levels of burnt clay and charcoal, suggesting multiple working cycles. Five of the kilns were relatively isolated and were located along the top of the gravel ridges. In addition to this, there was a distinct group of five kilns which were located within the eastern, topographically lower, half of the site. Radiocarbon dating of these kilns is pending; however, they fit a recognised typology of kiln which has been dated primarily to the early medieval period. It is possible that some of the undated features in the vicinity of the kilns, including post-holes and pits/hearths, are contemporary with the kilns. A possible ‘charcoal clamp’ was also identified.
Undated activity
The burials
Two badly disturbed burials were uncovered in the centre of the site on the cusp of a gravel ridge immediately west of the rectangular structure (C2218). Only small fragments of bone survived due to truncation, probably by recent farming activity. Skeleton I was identified through the presence of portions of the right and left legs only. The position of the leg bones, however, confirmed that the burial was orientated west–east with the head (missing) to the west. Similarly, Skeleton II was only identifiable as a small portion of skull in the western portion of a badly disturbed grave-cut.
The pond
A possible pond was identified at a low point within the site, between rising ground to the east and west. This area was characterised by a distinctive hollow that readily retained water during the winter months. It was possibly a seasonal pond. The pond area was defined by a deposit of peat c. 0.6m deep. A series of 6–7 wooden posts measuring up to 0.9m long were driven into the peat and underlying clays in the eastern half of the pond. These posts were associated with a number of horizontal split wooden planks, orientated east–west, placed roughly alongside the posts. These posts and planks may have been the basis for an access ramp to the pond. The dates for the pond and wooden structure are pending; however, the fact that Burnt Mound A is immediately adjacent to the pond suggests that there may have been a water source here in the Bronze Age.
The ditches
A number of linear ditches were excavated across the site, most notably ditch C5. This ditch was c. 150m long, 1.5m wide and c. 0.4m deep. It curved gently from the north-east to the south-west across the site and extended beyond the area of excavation and into the adjacent site at Kilmainham 1A (No. 1334 above, A029/053, E3141). The date of this ditch needs to be ascertained by 14C dating; however, it respects the main body of activity within the eastern half of the site. A shorter, but similar, ditch was excavated parallel to this ditch in the south-east corner of the site. An interrupted gully or shallow ditch orientated south-east/north-west spanned the space between these two ditches. Again this feature respected, and was located to the east of, the main body of archaeological activity.
Large pits
Three large pits were identified, situated along the top of the gravel ridges. The largest of these was 15m wide and 1.5m deep. No datable finds were retrieved from these features, although it is possible that they are gravel-extraction pits.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.