2020:503 - Johnstown Road, Johnstown, Enfield, Meath

Archaeological test trenching was carried out in late November 2020. A total of 8 test trenches were excavated. In total, 1061m of linear trenches, and two extensions measuring 6m by 6m and the other 9m by 5.5m were excavated. In general, the average pth of the sod and topsoil (C1) was 0.4–0.55m and lay above a natural soft light yellow/brown silty sand (C2) and stoney subsoil. A number of field boundary ditches were identified in Trenches 1, 5-8. These correspond with field boundaries depicted on the Ordnance Survey mapping. Three features of archaeological significance were exposed within the eastern extent of the site in Trench 1. These consisted of two shallow pits, C10, C15 and spread C14. As these features were located in a tight cluster and no other features of archaeological significance were exposed in the wider area, it was decided to fully excavate them. One soil sample, two cremated bone samples and a flint flake fragment (20E0663:11:1) were retrieved from fills of pit C10. Charcoal retrieved from an Environmental Sample was sent for radiocarbon dating to International Chemical Analysis Inc. (ICA). Corylus Avellana/Hazel charcoal (0.01g) from Sample 1 (C11) returned a date of 1710 +/- 30, giving a 2-sigma calibrated date range of 250 - 420 AD (ICA 14C/5359), placing the feature in the Late Iron Age/early medieval period. The cremated bone samples recovered from top (C11) and basal fill (C13) of pit C10 were analysed; however, due to the fragmentation, it was not possible to establish if these were of human or animal origin. All fragments retrieved were white in colour, indicating they were fully oxidised at a temperature over 600 degrees Celsius. The colour of the bone is consistent with an efficient human cremation; however, identification of the bone was indeterminate. Furthermore, a decorated bone comb fragment (20E0663:01:03) was also recovered beside pit C10, and due to its location, it was recorded as a topsoil find. While it was initially thought to be derived from pit C10, its decoration is a standard form found on a number of combs from Dublin of the late 10th to the mid-11th century. Two remaining finds consisted of clay pipe stems recovered from the topsoil.

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