2021:044 - Church Lane, Commons, Duleek, Meath

A programme of archaeological test trenching was carried out at Church Lane, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath in April 2021. Six test trenches were excavated within the site. Each trench measured 1.8m in width, and a total of 156m of linear trenches were excavated.
A number of features were identified within the site. These included four linear features, two walls, seven pits, a well, a ditch and a spread. Medieval pottery sherds dating to 13th century were retrieved from three of the pits. Immediately of note was the depth of the topsoil, 1.4–2m. In trenches located in the south part of the site, a concentration of archaeological features was identified. These were noted close to the surface and consisted of a number of pits, a wall with stones visible at ground level and a well. The well was recorded just below the sod, at a depth of between 0.1-0.2m. The features are likely medieval in date; 13th-century pottery sherds were found in the fills of three pits. As these features appear to be of medieval date and are cut into topsoil/garden soil, it suggests it was introduced to the site in antiquity. Below this garden soil, archaeological features are cut into the natural. These features may represent earlier activity at the site. This indicates a high potential of deep archaeological stratigraphy present within the site.
The features identified will be directly impacted by the proposed development. Further archaeological mitigation is required.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth