2018:718 - Reynella 1, Westmeath

Archaeological excavation was carried out at Reynella 1 in advance of the proposed N52 Cloghan –Billistown Phase 2, Turin – Billistown Realignment, Co. Westmeath. Four areas, designated 1a–1d, were stripped of topsoil and excavated. The areas were: 770m2 at Reynella 1a, 1300m2 at Reynella 1b, 770m2 at Reynella 1c and 485m2 at Reynella 1d. The site was identified during Stage (i) archaeological testing of the proposed N52 Turin to Billistown Realignment carried out by Archaeological Management Solutions(AMS) and Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit (ACSU) on behalf of Westmeath County Council between 16 and 31 July 2018 under Excavation Licence No. 18E0375.

At Reynella 1a, a total of five possible post-holes (C67, C70, C73, C78 and C82), two possible pits (C69 and C80) and one deposit (C72) were identified. Just one fragment of oak was recovered from the fill of pit C80 and this returned a date of 4035± 35BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 2834–2471BC (Poz-115186). This suggested a cluster of features that may represent a small hut site or area of occupation during the Late Neolithic.

Similarly, over 40m to the east at Reynella 1b, four possible post-holes (C148, C149, C158 and C159), two possible pits (C152 and C163) and one deposit (C151) may also be associated with a small prehistoric structure/activity area. Oak only was identified from the charcoal-rich secondary fill of pit C163, a sample of which returned a date of 4410± 35BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 3321–2915BC (Poz-115310). Similarly, oak only was identified from the deposit C151, a fragment of which returned a slightly later date of 4230± 35BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 2919–2694BC (Poz-115311), while a post-hole (C148) that contained a high level of oak charcoal along with small amounts of hazel, ash and 16 charred cereal grains may represent an oak post that was burnt in situ, with a barley grain returning a date of 3630± 30BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 2127–1905BC (Poz-115143). Given the old wood effect often attributed to oak dates, this could indicate that an Early Bronze Age date is most likely for this area of occupation.

Over 130m to the north-east, at Reynella 1d, a single pit (C93) was similarly dated to the Early Bronze Age, with a barley grain returning a date of 3430± 110BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 2029–1465BC (Poz-115144)and hazel charcoal returning a date of 3640± 35BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 2135–1912 BC (Poz-115314). This pit contained oxidised clay and some charcoal, but the surrounding soil was not oxidised indicating there was no in situ burning, suggesting it may represent a dump of material from a nearby hearth or fire-pit that did not survive, perhaps removed by an adjacent field boundary ditch (C169). This interpretation is also supported by the low levels of charcoal and charred grains recovered from the fill, comprising just eight fragments of oak, three hazel and one alder, as well as four grains, two barley and two indeterminate to species.

At Reynella 1c, the remaining features identified comprised two pits (C89 & C129), set c. 2.35m apart, and one deposit (C154), all of which appeared to represent the remnants of charcoal production. Alder charcoal only was identified from pit C89, a sample of which returned a date of 1500± 30BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of AD 432–639 (Poz-115313), while hazel only was identified from pit C129, providing a comparable date of 1565± 30BP, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of AD 419–560 (Poz-115187). These early medieval determinations, along with the charcoal-rich fills, suggested a possible charcoal-production function, although there was no clear evidence for in-situ burning in the form of oxidised subsoil. It is possible that pit C129 was a charcoal-production pit, with the adjacent deposit (C154) perhaps representing upcast from the digging of that pit, while pit C89 may have been a failed attempt at a charcoal-production pit or a related site, such as for the storage of charcoal while more was being manufactured.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills Rd, Drogheda, Co. Louth