2007:1368 - Phoenixtown 2, 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 Sian Keith (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1312, 04E0923). It was excavated between 27 July 2006 and 3 March 2007 and consisted of medieval activity spread over an area of some 45m by 100m. A metalled east–west roadway traversed the site and measured up to 4.5m wide. Where undisturbed by ploughing, this metalled roadway was in pristine condition, with wheel ruts from carts and hollows from animal paths still clearly visible. Importantly, this roadway was sealed by a layer of grey clay which, in common with most other features on site, produced finds of 13th-century glazed and unglazed pottery. The roadway was flanked on both sides by drainage ditches measuring up to 0.8m deep.
The areas of the site on either side of the roadway, once cleaned, revealed a large number of archaeological features, mostly of an agricultural nature. Indeed the bulk of activity carried out here in the 13th century seemed to relate to crop cultivation and cereal processing. A number of cereal-drying kilns included at least two circular examples and one L-shaped example. Other charcoal- and charred grain-rich features may relate to the removal of grain from straw, or some other stage of cereal processing.
A large, circular-cut feature (c. 10m diameter and c. 2m width) with a secondary circular depression at its centre (c. 3m diameter) has been interpreted as an animal-powered mill, and was almost identical to one excavated by Abi Cryerhall at Hammond Lane in Dublin in 2003 (Excavations 2003, No. 535, 03E0721).
Also excavated on site were a probable well (2m diameter by 2m depth), a large number of waste pits and a very large and waterlogged pit (6m by 3m by 2m) which, pending analysis, has being interpreted as a cess pit.
An L-shaped drystone-built structure may represent the scant remains of a house structure. This part of the site (the south-west end) was notable for a large build-up of medieval soils, rich in domestic-type artefacts such as pottery and animal-bone refuse. As with all other features mentioned, pottery finds have suggested a 13th-century date.
Two large east–west-aligned ditches, towards the north-west of the site, were also excavated. These were up to 2m wide and 1.5m deep and again contained medieval material. A phase of furrows across the site seemed to post-date the main phase of activity on site, yet these furrows produced nothing later than medieval finds. This, in tandem with the largely homogenous nature of the pottery assemblage, seems to suggest that the site was in use for a relatively short period during the 13th century, and was subsequently abandoned.
In conclusion, Phoenixtown 2 consisted of several cereal-processing related features, which surrounded a very substantial rural medieval roadway. While only one possible house was identified, it is possible that more could have existed but have left no trace or were beyond the area of excavation. Furthermore, it is possible that this area of almost industrial-scale agricultural activity was situated on the periphery of a village or small rural community of some description, the remains of which could remain undiscovered on the slightly higher ground to the west and south-west of the site outside the CPO area of the route of the M3 motorway. The presence of the substantial roadway, and also other features such as the animal-powered mill which would have had valuable components, makes it unlikely that this site was not within the environs of a settlement of some description.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.