2020:116 - Newgrange, Meath

A programme of archaeological test excavation was carried out in the townland of Newgrange, Co. Meath, in advance of refurbishment and upgrade works at the Newgrange monument (Planning Ref. LB190021). This was undertaken between 6 January and 6 February 2020. The works involved the excavation by hand of 24 test trenches in the areas to be impacted by the proposed works. In addition, at the requested of the Office of Public Works, two test pits were also excavated by hand in the area of small concrete posts that mark the location of post-holes forming part of the pit circle (ME019-044002-) excavated by Professor M.J. O’Kelly to the east of the main passage tomb mound (ME019-045---). The concrete markers pose a potential health and safety hazard and a number of them have cracked and dis-integrated. In order to prepare a methodology and plan for the removal of all of these marker posts, two of the posts were targeted with test pits, each measuring 1m sq.

Trenches 1 and 2 recorded undisturbed topsoil at a depth of approximately 0.37m below the current ground level, with undisturbed natural boulder clay recorded at a depth of between 0.7m and 0.8m. No archaeological features were identified within Trenches 1 and 2, however, the presence of undisturbed topsoil suggests that preserved archaeological features and deposits may be present within this area.

Trenches 3–5 showed clear indications of previous ground reduction works, with the removal of the original soil profile, reduced to the boulder clay. An imported topsoil was recorded to a depth of between 0.21m and 0.3m, overlying a thin layer of tarmac and concrete. In the base of Trench 3 there was evidence for the original site access route in the form of vehicle wheel ruts, cut into the natural boulder clay.

Trenches 6, 7 and 9 recorded high levels of ground disturbance associated with the construction of the path/site access road, to a depth of between 0.18m and 0.2m below the current ground level. No archaeological features or deposits were recorded.

Trench 8 contained a large pit, previously excavated during David Sweetman’s examination of the timber circle (ME019-046005-), and a previously unrecorded river-rolled stone surface at a depth of between 0.18m and 0.2m below the current ground level. This possible metaled surface should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trench 10 contained evidence of preserved mound slippage at a depth of 0.18m below the current ground level and should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trenches 11–13 also contained evidence of preserved mound slippage, recorded at a depth of 0.09m below the current ground level within Trenches 12 and 13, and at a depth of 0.21m within Trench 11. The mound slippage should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trenches 14 and 23 recorded natural boulder clay at a depth of 0.31–0.32m below the current ground level. Also recorded within both of these trenches was a layer of redeposited natural associated with the backfilling of O’Kelly’s excavations. No archaeological features or deposits were recorded.

Trench 15 contained two previously excavated post-holes at an average depth of 0.39m below the current ground level. The northern extent of Trench 15 contained evidence of a possible cut for a stone hole/socket and its associated packing stones, associated with standing stone GC1 in the ‘Great Stone Circle’ (ME019-045005-). Within the southern extent of Trench 15 a deposit of river-rolled stones suggests the presence of a metalled surface. This possible metalled surface, as well as the possible stone hole/socket, should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trench 16 contained two possible archaeological horizons: a charcoal-rich deposit containing frequent inclusions of burnt bone and a metalled surface with inclusions of quartz. Both of these were recorded at a depth of between 0.4m and 0.45m below the current ground level and should be considered as being of potential archaeological significance.

Trench 17 contained clear evidence of two topsoil profiles, suggesting that the uppermost topsoil had possibly been introduced to the site. The sod and topsoil profiles had a combined recorded depth of 0.7–0.85m. No archaeological features or deposits were recorded.

Trench 18 had three clear horizons: the sod/topsoil, a thin compact layer containing river-rolled stone within a dark organic silty soil and the original subsoil profile. It appears that the upper soil profile represents an imported deposit. The overall soil profile had a depth of 0.71m. No archaeological features or deposits were recorded.

Trench 19 recorded a deposit of river-rolled stone and quartz alongside a possible previously unexcavated post-hole recorded at a depth of between 0.32m and 0.4m below the current ground level. These features should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trench 20 contained a layer of compact river-rolled stones at a depth of between 0.1m and 0.28m. This suggests a metalled surface or truncated cairn slippage that should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trench 21 recorded three undisturbed soil profiles. The lower of the three contains a large amount of worked flint (E005113:057:03–46) and produced two sherds of prehistoric pottery (E005113:057:01–02). Below the soil profiles, a large possible pit and a possible post-hole were recorded at a depth of 0.28m below the current ground level. These deposits should be considered as being of archaeological significance.

Trench 22 contained a deposit of stones at a depth of between 0.2m and 0.29m below the current ground level. This deposit appears to be the levelled remains of a former spoil heap associated with Sweetman’s excavation of the nearby timber circle (ME019-046005-). No archaeological features or deposits were recorded.

Trench 24 was excavated to an average depth of 0.81m. The soil profile clearly indicated three horizons: the sod/topsoil, redeposited topsoil and the original subsoil profile. In the base of Trench 24 two possible cut features where recorded within the boulder clay, a possible pit and a possible post-hole. These should be considered as being of archaeological significance. Also identified within Trench 24 was a square concrete foundation with evidence for a rotted wooded post, its appearance and location along the hedgerow site boundary suggests that it was a fence or gate post.

Test Pits 1 and 2 were excavated to a depth of 0.32m and 0.34m respectively below the current ground level. Both test pits contained clear evidence of two previously excavated pits, located slightly off-centre to the concrete posts that mark their position within O’Kelly’s excavated pit circle (ME019-044002-).

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