County: Meath Site name: Commons, Duleek
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 18E0508
Author: Tim Coughlan, IAC Ltd
Site type: Kiln/pit and linear features
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 704835m, N 768895m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.659296, -6.413890
A programme of test trenching was undertaken within a proposed residential development at Commons, Duleek, County Meath in response to conditions attached to the development by Meath County Council (Planning Ref.: LB/170362).
The area of proposed development is on the outskirts of the town of Duleek. The site is bounded to the west by Station Road and to the north by modern housing. Green fields are located to the east and south of the site. There are nine recorded archaeological sites within 250m of the proposed development area. The closest of these is the zone of archaeological potential for the town of Duleek (ME027-038), which is located c. 125m south-west of the site.
Test trenching took place on 20 and 21 August 2018, using a 13-tonne 360 degree tracked excavator equipped with a flat, toothless bucket. Ten trenches were excavated within the footprint of proposed development.
A possible kiln/pit (C3) and three linear features (C5, C7 and C9) were identified during test excavation. The kiln/pit may represent an isolated kiln or indicate the presence of burnt mound activity within the area. The linear features are likely to represent post-medieval agricultural features, although dating evidence was not recovered during the course of the assessment. Further mitigation was recommended in advance of development.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
