2007:1900 - Kilbeg 4, Westmeath

Testing was carried out as part of an archaeological mitigation programme associated with the N6 Kilbeggan to Athlone dual carriageway. The site was identified during testing undertaken by Patricia Lynch, IAC Ltd, in July 2005 (A016/029).
The site was excavated between February and April 2006. Four excavation areas (Areas A–D) were opened. Area A measured 35m by 23m, Area B was 18m by 20m, Area C was 12m by 16m and Area D was 22m by 18m. Seven distinct burnt mounds were uncovered within these four areas (Burnt Mounds I–VII).
Burnt Mound I was situated on the western side of Area A and consisted of a number of large pits/troughs sealed by a large burnt-mound deposit. The main trough was 3.8m north–south by 2.8m with a varying depth of 0.21–0.58m. This trough had an irregular arrangement of stake-holes around its base and inner edge, which may have been the basis for an upright wattle lining around the inner edge of the trough. One large circular pit or trough had a slight gully/drain leading away from its southern, topographically lower, edge. Most of these pits and troughs were sealed by the overlying burnt mound of heat-fractured stone and charcoal-rich clay, which was 16m east–west by 12m and maximum 0.3m deep.
Burnt Mound II was located on the eastern side of Area A, c. 10m east of Burnt Mound I. Burnt Mound II consisted of a number of large pits and a gully, sealed by a relatively shallow burnt-mound deposit. It was not possible to discern which pit feature was the main trough. There was no evidence of wood lining or features which would suggest the presence of wooden structures in any of the pit/troughs. Similar to Burnt Mound I, one of the pits had a characteristic gully/drain leading away from its topographically lower, southern edge. The overlying burnt-mound material of Burnt Mound II was 9m east–west by 8.5m and was on average c. 0.3m deep.
Burnt Mound III was located c. 10m south of Burnt Mound II within Area B. It consisted of a truncated wood-lined trough sealed by a heavily disturbed burnt-mound deposit. Only the base of the wood-lined trough survived and was represented by an arrangement of three wooden planks, which, combined, covered an area of 1.5m east–west by 0.9m. The sealing burnt-mound deposit of heat-fractured stone and charcoal-rich clay was 13m east–west by 11m and was on average c. 0.3m deep.
Burnt Mound IV was located in Area C, which was located c. 15m east of Burnt Mound III. It consisted of a heavily disturbed burnt-mound deposit with no associated features. Overall the burnt-mound deposit was 9m north–south by 9m, and was on average c. 0.2m deep.
Burnt Mound V was located in the northern corner of Area D, c. 40m east of Burnt Mound IV. Burnt Mound V consisted of a heavily truncated trough, burnt-mound material and scattered wood (the probable remains of the lining of the trough). There were no features directly associated with the trough. Overall the burnt mound measured c. 4.5m east–west by c. 3.2m, and was c. 0.15m deep.
Burnt Mound VI was situated on the western side, and c. 7.5m south of, Burnt Mound V. It consisted of a partially wood-lined trough and truncated burnt mound. Only the base of the trough survived. It was 1.5m north–south by 1.25m and consisted of nine closely placed wooden planks. There were no associated surrounding features. The trough was sealed by a mound of heat-fractured stone and charcoal-rich clay, which was c. 9m south-east/north-west by c. 7.5m, and c. 0.2m deep.
Burnt Mound VII was located in Area D situated c. 12m south-east of Burnt Mound VI. It consisted of a heavily disturbed burnt-mound deposit of heat-fractured stone and charcoal-rich clay sealing a disturbed partially wood-lined trough. There were no associated surrounding features. The overall dimensions of Burnt Mound VII were c. 7.5m north–south by 4.5m, and c. 0.12m deep.
Of note, two possible antler bone picks were recovered from the excavations at Kilbeg 4.
This work was funded by Westmeath County Council and the National Roads Authority.

Editor’s note: Although excavated during 2006, the report on this site arrived too late for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.