2020:626 - R150 Bettystown-Laytown Link (750m), Meath

Archaeological monitoring took place along the proposed R150 Bettystown-Laytown Link (750m), Co. Meath, on behalf of Meath County Council. The project area
is 3.9ha of which 1.72ha was green field. This green field area has been reduced from a previous estimate of 2.3ha by numerous very large field drainage ditches (usually 5m wide) and several areas of soil dumping (including Area 7) and a previous construction compound (Area 5). Present ground level was 7.2m OD at the northern end and 6.5-6.9m OD in the middle and southern ends.
Previous Testing showed modern ploughed topsoil to fields bordered with very large drainage ditches – all probably dating from the time of the construction of the present R150 coast road in the middle of the 19th century (post-First Edition OS). Prior to this the site showed that it had been a water meadow environment subject to occasional flooding from the sea (as seen from numerous, scattered seashells), but was dry enough to prevent any peat growth. The water meadow area was drained by a central stream that was culverted during the works. A fairly substantial flood deposit 0.3-0.4m thick lay below ploughsoil over the
who project area. Towards the Laytown end, a small pit containing burnt stones and probably been used for cooking, had been cut into this flood deposit.
Construction groundworks consisted of the removal of topsoil by a 30- or 40-tonne machine fitted with a flat bladed ditching bucket. The exposed surface of the flood deposit was then reduced by a bulldozer to formation level. In the centre of the project the flood deposit was completely removed by machine due to softness. The very large drainage ditches were emptied of their black fills and this material was allowed to dry out in bunds on the site. The whole area in and around the schools was seen to have been previously disturbed. Several stone-filled field drains were observed, but there were nothing of any archaeological significance.

c/o Meath County Council