2019:735 - The Willows, Dunshaughlin, Meath

The following summarises the preliminary results for excavations carried out at The Willows, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. Testing was carried out by IAC in 2018 and identified six areas of archaeological potential (AA 1–6). These comprised mainly isolated kilns, burnt mound activity and a prehistoric bivallate ring-barrow (AA3).

A total of 6 sites were excavated in the development area. They were at separate locations across the proposed development site. The largest site, AA3, was located at the north of the development and consisted of a bivallate ring-barrow. The concentric ditches measured 12.8m and 28.8m in diameter respectively. Neither of the excavated ditches showed evidence of a defined entrance. There was no evidence of surviving banks above ground. Frequent small pieces of cremated bone and charcoal-rich inclusions were recovered in the inner and outer ditch, although not within any specific deposit. Frequent animal bones and prehistoric pottery sherds were also recovered from fills of the barrow-ditches, while the annular inner ditch also included two animal bone awls in one of its upper fills.

A small external ring-ditch was also uncovered close to the outer ditch of the ring-barrow, measuring approximately 3.75m in diameter. There was no evidence of internal features or an entrance. AA3 is a site that likely relates to prehistoric burial/funerary activity. A figure-of-eight kiln was also identified in this area; it is hoped that post-excavation analysis will determine the date of this feature and its relationship to features elsewhere on the site.

Three of the sites related to burnt mound activity, with spreads of burnt mound material associated with clusters of pits located in AA1, AA2 and AA4. The spreads and pits were filled with black clay with frequent charcoal and heat-shattered burnt stones, characteristic of burnt mound sites. Several potentially associated troughs were also identified. They were isolated and situated mainly in the central area of the development.

The other two sites, AA5 and AA6, consisted of clusters of pits/kilns, including a keyhole-shaped kiln (AA5) and a figure-of-eight and rough keyhole-shaped kiln (AA6). The processes being carried out at the kilns is not yet clear, although the absence of metallurgical waste from the fills suggests that the kilns may relate to cereal drying. These kilns have generally been dated to the early and/or late medieval period. Prehistoric pottery was recovered from one of the sites suggesting that they may be earlier in date.

The final interpretation of the sites will be determined by the analysis and dating of the samples taken from the excavated features during the post-excavation stage. The results will hopefully confirm the function and date of each site, and confirm any association with previously recorded monuments in the immediate vicinity.

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