2007:1396 - TOWNPARKS (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 Shane Delaney (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1271, 04E0916). It was excavated between 4 December 2006 and 10 January 2007 and consisted of plough furrows and a small number of other irregularly shaped features. A number of finds were retrieved, which included modern pottery, iron nails, two flint flakes and a flint scraper.

Seven north-east/south-west furrows were identified, two of which truncated earlier features: a hearth and a refuse pyre (4.5m north-west/south-east by 0.4m deep) from a neighbouring farm which contained post-medieval/modern pottery. Two different phases of activity were noted in the hearth (3m north-west/south-east by 2.25m by c. 0.45m). The primary layers consisted of fairly loose, dark-grey sandy/silty soil (with more than 15% charcoal content) and an area containing 30% charcoal. Sealing this was a layer of fairly loose, reddish-brown, sandy soil that contained occasional charcoal and burnt stones. A flint flake was recovered from this context. This layer possibly represented an ash deposit, although the flint flake bore no traces of burning. Above this reddish-brown sandy soil was a sandy/silty soil, which contained no finds and had a fairly loose compaction with a very dark-grey colour. It contained approximately 25% charcoal and 15% burnt stones. This entire feature was sealed by a fairly compact soil.

This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.