County: Westmeath Site name: Seeoge 1, CHS 18
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A016/007; E2635
Author: Ed Lyne, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 615225m, N 737885m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.390906, -7.771102
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 August 2005 (A016/029).
The site was excavated in February 2006. Three excavation areas measuring 12m by 30m, 10m by 17m and 10m by 10m were opened. The site comprised a large burnt mound of probable Bronze Age date on the edge of a natural wetland area, which overlay two definite troughs and a number of further pits or possible troughs. Furthermore a large rectangular structure was recorded on site adjacent to the burnt mound, and of probable similar date. A number of other isolated pits and spreads were recorded on the periphery of the site, which also presumably dates to the same period.
The recovery of a few pieces of animal bone from one trough feature would suggest that cooking may indeed have been a key function of the site. It is likely that the rectangular structure relates to the burnt mound, but its exact function is unclear, with very few finds or any kind of occupational debris being recovered. No definite date can be established for this site prior to scientific examination of charcoal from the site, but it can be tentatively suggested that the site may be Bronze Age in date.
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.
