2007:1369 - Phoenixtown 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 Sian Keith (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1312, 04E0923). It was excavated between 9 November 2006 and 30 March 2007 and was made up of two separate areas (A to the south-east and B to the north-west) on opposite slopes of a gentle hill, and on either side of a standing field boundary.
Area A (c. 100m by 45m) displayed evidence for multi-period activity. Fragments of Neolithic rim sherds were recovered from the topsoil. Post-holes and pits were excavated in the south-east of the area and Early Bronze Age pottery sherds with geometric decoration were recovered from two shallow and irregular pits in the north-west. A narrow, shallow, east–west ditch terminated in a series of large pits towards its eastern end and contained medieval pottery sherds. It is possible that some of these features are contemporary with those in Phoenixtown 2 (see No. 1368 above, A029/011), some 15m to the south-east.
Activity in Area B consisted of a circle of post-holes flanked by incomplete curvilinear footing trenches, and with an obvious entrance to the south-east. This structure measured c. 10m in diameter. The interior of the structure was divided in two by a series of stake-holes separating the front of the area from the rear. Also uncovered was a north–south linear pit or ditch (c. 10m long by 1m wide) situated 10m to the south-east of the entrance to the structure. No hearth was identified within the structure. Both the linear feature and a number of the structural post-holes produced numerous sherds of prehistoric pottery, which on initial analysis appeared to be Neolithic in date. Other finds included a possible stone lamp found in a shallow pit or depression inside the entrance of the structure and a possible saddle quern fragment found in topsoil during clean-back. Only one flint was recovered in context, this being a flake which came from the linear feature at the south-east.
The precise date and function of this site is as yet uncertain, but a Neolithic date is probable. The possible functions of the site are either a circular house, or perhaps a ritual timber circle. In the event of the site being a domestic structure, then the likelihood is that the linear feature to the south-east functioned as a dumping area for domestic waste.
Test-pits
Test-pitting was undertaken at Phoenixtown 3 in September 2006 (Ministerial Direction no. A029–042). Sixteen test-pits were excavated and the soil was sieved. The finds are listed in Table 3 below.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.