2009:870 - ROESTOWN, READSLAND AND KNOCKS, Meath

An assessment was undertaken at a proposed residential development site within the townlands of Roestown, Readsland and Knocks, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. The test-trenching was carried out in two phases. The first phase was undertaken by James Hession between 3 and 8 June 2009, while the second phase was completed by the author between 27 and 29 July 2009. In advance of the testing programme a geophysical survey had been carried out at the site, which had revealed the remains of a large, multiditched, enclosure in the northernmost part of the development lands. To test the veracity of these geophysical results, a total of sixteen test-trenches were excavated at the site.

The testing programme confirmed the existence of substantial archaeological remains within the northern part of the proposed development lands (within Roestown townland). This consisted of a large multi-ditched enclosure complex, which was made up of an outer enclosure (Enclosure A), which was elliptical in plan and measured c. 100m in diameter. Within this was a second, slightly smaller, sub-circular, enclosure (Enclosure B), which measured c. 68m in diameter. Evidence for pits, ditches and at least one kiln was identified in the area defined by Enclosure B. A third, smaller, enclosure (Enclosure C) was identified within the north-eastern part of Enclosure B. It was subcircular in plan and measured c. 38m east–west by 34m. A number of east–west-oriented burials were identified within this enclosure, suggesting that it represents the remains of a burial-ground. A rectilinear enclosure, Annexe D, was identified to the north of the multi-ditched enclosure described above. It encloses an area measuring 40m north–south by 35m. The geophysical survey identified responses indicating that this enclosure contained an area of notably increased background response, thought to indicate areas of burning, and a high percentage of iron slag was noted at this location during the testing programme. To the south and west of the enclosure complex (A–C) fragmented trends and curvilinear responses, thought to indicate further annexes (E), were also identified. In addition to the complex described above, a small sub-circular enclosure was also identified within the northern part of the proposed development site c. 80m to the east of the multi-ditched enclosure. This feature measured 6.5m in diameter and is thought to represent the remains of a truncated prehistoric ring-barrow.