County: Meath Site name: Donacarney Great townland, Bettystown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 20E0714
Author: Dermot Nelis
Site type: Possible cremation pyre pit
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 715170m, N 774160m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.704415, -6.255648
Phase 1 monitoring carried out in 2020 revealed what was interpreted as a possible kiln or hearth at the western end of the development area, although identification was considered speculative as under the terms of the monitoring Licence the feature could not be investigated at the time of fieldwork. The writer informed National Monuments Service of his intention to commence excavation of the possible kiln or hearth. On commencement of excavation however small pieces of cremated bone were exposed within the fill. On discovery of the cremated bone excavation of the feature ceased, and it was backfilled and enclosed by secure highly visible fencing.
The writer made contact with Máiréad Ní Challanáin (osteologist) who visited the site and prepared a Method Statement to facilitate excavation, recording and post-excavation analysis of the feature.
Excavation revealed what is now interpreted as a collapsed cremation pyre pit, with a semi-articulated individual cremated in situ. The excavation provides a rare glimpse into funerary and mortuary practices in prehistoric Ireland, and the location of the cremation pit within a wider Bronze Age landscape suggests it may be Bronze Age in date. All necessary post-excavation analysis is on-going at the time of writing.
36 Fingal Street, Dublin 8
