2020:195 - MULLINGAR: Ashe Road, Westmeath

A programme of archaeological test trenching was undertaken at the site of a proposed housing development, off Ashe Road Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The test trenches were excavated by a 13-tonne 360° mechanical excavator, fitted with a 1.8m wide toothless grading bucket, which operated under constant archaeological supervision. Twelve test trenches, totalling 1055m in length, were excavated across the proposed development site at 15-25m intervals. The upcast from each trench was visually inspected and systematically scanned with a metal-detector (Licence 20R0091) as the excavation progressed. A possible archaeological pit was uncovered in Trench 10 which was located close to the eastern site boundary. No archaeological features or artefacts were noted in any of the other test trenches excavated.