2009:685 - NEWTOWN, Offaly

Testing was undertaken prior to the development of a sand and gravel quarry. The site is outside the zone of potential for any archaeological monuments but is in an elevated location. The trenches were excavated across the entire development site. Evidence of agricultural activity was visible in a ridge-and-furrow field system. One feature uncovered in the centre of the site contained a dark humic material and was exposed for a length of 1.7m. It was orientated east–west and ran into the baulks at the north-west and the south-east. A section was excavated through the feature. It was shown to be a U-shaped possible ditch excavated to a maximum depth of 0.4m; it was 1.1m in width. The fill included moderate amounts of rounded stones and animal bone, pig and fowl. Occasional flecks of charcoal were also recorded.