County: Louth Site name: M1 NORTH MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA WEST, COMMONS
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E004031
Author: Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Site type: Assessment
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 704328m, N 798312m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.923650, -6.411591
An assessment was carried out in advance of the construction of a service area adjacent to and serving the M1 motorway, Commons, Dromiskin, Co. Louth. The work was carried out on behalf of the National Roads Authority (NRA), between 25 and 27 May 2009, under directions number A051.
The assessment involved the mechanical excavation of 66 test-trenches with a combined length of 7977m. Three fields (Fields 1–3) were tested and four archaeological features were identified within Field 1. These included a burnt-mound spread with an associated pit (Commons 1), an isolated hearth and an isolated pit. These were all fully excavated. The burnt-mound spread was subrectangular-shaped and measured 12m by 5m by 0.2m. It consisted of loose black silty clay with frequent heat-shattered sandstone and moderate flecks of charcoal. No finds were retrieved from this spread. A pit was located near the northern extent of the burnt-mound spread. This feature was subcircular in shape and measured 1.5m by 1.3m by 0.14m. Its fill consisted of compact black silty clay with frequent heat-shattered sandstone and occasional flecks of charcoal. The cut for this pit was concave, with gradually sloped sides and a gradual break of slope at the top and the base. No finds were retrieved from this context. Radiocarbon dates of 2340–2130 cal BC and 2080–2060 cal BC were recovered from a charcoal sample obtained from the fill.
Trench 2 contained a small pit. It was subrectangular-shaped and measured 1.8m by 1m by 0.3m. Its fill consisted of compact grey silty clay with occasional small stones. The cut for this pit had gradually sloped sides with a gentle break of slope at the top and the base. The base was concave. No finds were retrieved from this feature.
Trench 12 contained the remains of an isolated hearth. This feature was oval-shaped and measured 0.35m by 0.7m by 0.04m. Its fill consisted of compact black silty clay with frequent charcoal. The clay around the edges and base of this feature was oxidised indicating in situ burning. No finds were retrieved from this context and it was not associated with any other features. No archaeological features were encountered within Fields 2 and 3.
