2007:1357 - Newrath Little 3, 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 Shane Delaney (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1306, 04E0914). It was excavated between 20 and 30 March 2007 and comprised the truncated remains of a burnt spread/mound with associated pits, deposits, possible water-retaining pond, possible water channel, and trough. There was also a series of post-medieval drainage features and furrows.
Three pits were filled with typical burnt-mound material (charcoal and heat-affected stones) and two of these had a layer of marl-like clay as a basal fill. The deposits of burnt-mound material were all quite shallow and as such were not deemed to be pits but rather the remains of the truncated spread/mound. The possible water-retaining pond was highly irregular in plan but had a definite cut. It had a basal fill of charcoal and silt, with an upper fill consisting of naturally formed peat-like material. This feature was topographically at the lowest point of the site.
The possible water channel was 0.75m wide and 0.29m deep. It extended beyond the area of excavation to the east, but the portion that was exposed appeared to be dug with the purpose of draining/channelling water to the main focus of the site, which was the trough. The purity of the material in the primary fill suggested that the water channel was contemporary with the burnt-mound activity. The trough (2.03m by 1.56m by 0.32m) had corner post-holes and a base striped with plank imprints.
The site, adjacent to a former wetland, was low-lying and also contained post-medieval drainage ditches and field boundaries.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.