County: Louth Site name: Drumnacarra 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A002/122; E3806
Author: Deirdre Malone and Cia McConway, Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3.
Site type: Pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 707942m, N 814264m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.066190, -6.350950
Site 122 was discovered during the monitoring of mainline stripping, c. 100m north of previously excavated Site 104. Area 10 had been tested in Phase 1 of the works; however, the archaeological features were located between the test-trenches. These were visible as charcoal-rich deposits, many of which appeared heavily truncated by the agricultural activity on the site.
The archaeology uncovered consisted of sixteen pits and five post-holes, confined within a 10m by 15m area. Considering the finds retrieved from the excavations and the site’s location within the landscape, particularly its line of sight with Clermont Cairn, the potential for prehistoric activity at this location is high. It is also probable that Site 122 was linked with the archaeology found to the south on the nearby Site 104, also excavated as part of the present project.
The majority of the pits and post-holes on the site contained deposits that were charcoal rich, which would suggest burning in the vicinity. However, there was no evidence for any in situ burning, suggesting these excavated features are but a small sample of a much wider archaeologically sensitive area that extends to the east beyond the CPO.
Editor’s note: This report arrived too late for inclusion in the bulletin for 2005, when the work took place.
