2019:120 - Kilbrew, Meath

The investigation involved the re-opening of test-trenches first excavated in 2014 (Licence No. 13E0466). The test-trenches had been excavated through two possible ring-ditches, which had been identified by geophysical survey, uncovering one possible cremation pit and the disturbed remains of an in situ inhumation. The 2019 investigation involved the full excavation of both burials along with partial investigation of the associated ditch sections.

The excavation was carried out by Dr Alan Hawkes on behalf of Dr Maurice F. Hurley (Archaeological Consultants). The archaeological investigations were undertaken over a two-week period from 18 Feb to March 1 2019. The excavation of both original test-trenches confirmed the presence of two ring-ditch monuments measuring approx. 13m and 9m in external diameter. These were positioned c. 20m apart and appear to have been built exclusively for ritual purposes, connected to the burial of at least two individuals.

Trench 1 – Ring-ditch (MH038-054)
There were two major features in this trench, namely the central inhumation burial and an external earth-cut ditch occurring at either end of the trench. The latter represented the remains of a circular ring-ditch. Excavation revealed two opposing ditch segments (2.05-2.4m) with a central platform 8.5m wide. The overall external diameter of the ring-ditch monument can be estimated at 13m.

Excavation of Trench 1 revealed an articulated adult male inhumation burial that occurred centrally between two ring-ditch sections. The burial was a supine skeleton that extended west-east with the head at the west. Although it survived in poor condition, the remains were largely intact and were situated in a shallow grave cut, within the central platform of the ring ditch monument. No grave goods were recovered. Analysis of the remains suggests it is a male over the age of 21 years. This was based on dimorphic characteristics of the pelvis and on the eruption of the 3rd molar in the maxilla and mandible. A fragment of the upper humerus has been dated to the Late Iron Age.

Excavation of the eastern ditch fill identified a burnt layer containing charcoal, cremated bone and unburnt animal bone, some of which appeared butchered. The latter may represent the dumped remains from a possible funerary feasting ritual. No associated burning was identified elsewhere in the trench, therefore the origins of this material is unclear. A sample of young willow charcoal was dated to the Early Iron Age.

Trench 2 – Ring-ditch (MH038-055)
There were two major features in this trench, namely a central cremation burial and an external earth-cut ditch. Excavation revealed two opposing ditch segments (1.4-1.83m) with a central platform c. 5.6m wide. The overall external diameter of the ring-ditch monument can be estimated at 9.4m.

Investigation of Trench 2 revealed a cremation burial within a truncated urn. The urn appeared to be placed within a shallow pit in the centre of the ring ditch enclosure. The pottery vessel was inverted with only the rim and upper body surviving. The pottery was in poor condition, made up of numerous individual sherds that were friable and brittle. Most of the individual sherds remained in situ and careful cleaning revealed the form of the vessel. Corded decoration occurred internally on the surface of the rim, while similar crosshatching appeared externally on the upper surface of the body. Some 897g of cremated bone was uncovered within the urn, along with a broken bronze razor and a polished bone pin/needle. The cremation has been identified as the remains of one adult individual and one juvenile. A sample of an unidentified long bone fragment has been dated to the Middle Bronze Age. The associated ditches were U-shaped in profiled and contained some fragments of oak charcoal. No other finds or features were identified.

'Melrose', 5 Palmbury, Togher. Cork