County: Westmeath Site name: Williamstown 3
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A016/033; E2661
Author: Fintan Walsh, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Hearths and pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 613295m, N 738287m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.394579, -7.800109
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 Yvonne Whitty, IAC Ltd, in August 2005 (A016/029). The site was excavated in April 2006. Two excavation areas, measuring 10m by 10m and 15m by 15m were opened, Areas A and B.
Area A contained two truncated isolated hearths (0.6m and 0.8m diameter), both consisting of burnt clay and charcoal. No other features were uncovered associated with the two hearths; however, these features are probably directly related to the pit features in Area B located c. 15m to the east.
Area B contained a large pit which was 2.8m wide and 0.35m deep and contained charcoal-rich clays and burnt bone. This pit was associated with three smaller pits, each of which contained charcoal-rich fills but no evidence of burnt/cremated bone. It is likely that these features are contemporary and related to the two hearths in Area A. These features were not associated with any structural remains. No finds were recovered from the excavation of Williamstown 3.
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.
