2022:158 - Watery Lane, Stamullen, Meath

Archaeological test trenching was carried out at Watery Lane, Stamullen, Co. Meath. The site was tested in October 2021, where 8 test trenches were excavated. In July 2022, an additional 3 trenches were excavated, due to a change in plans in the proposed development. The additional three trenches ensured that the footprint of the proposed development was covered, which would establish whether any additional archaeological stratigraphy and or structures may survive within the previously untested portion of the site.
Test trenching in October 2021, exposed a concentration of features of possible archaeological significance within the south-east portion of the site in test trenches 1, 2 and 8. Three pits (C03, C06 and C08) were identified in trench 2, while a charcoal pit (C24) and a large field boundary ditch (C26) were exposed in trench 8. A number of ditches were also exposed in trenches 5 and 8; these were north-east to south-west aligned (C10, C12, C14, C16, C18) and north-west to south-east aligned (C22) in trench 1. Other linear features exposed were identified as post-medieval furrows and drains.
Three additional trenches (trenches 9-11) were excavated within the site in July 2022. No archaeological features were recorded in the three additional trenches. Like the previous trenches, 1-8, excavated in 2021, post-medieval furrows were noted running north-west to south-east with an average width of 0.45m. In trench 11, two south-west to north-east aligned ditches were recorded towards the south-eastern end of the trench; C34 and C36. Both ditches contained post-medieval pottery sherds, suggesting a post-medieval date.

Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.