2022:440 - Dunville Apartments, Alexander Reid, Navan, Meath

A programme of archaeological test trenching was carried out on the site of a proposed apartment complex adjacent to the Dunville development in Alexander Reid townland, Navan, Co. Meath.

Monitoring for the road and the proposed green space to the north of the proposed apartment was carried out as part of an earlier phase of the Dunville development and did not identify any archaeology (16E0449, Excavations Ref. 2016:638). An early medieval ringfort was excavated c. 100m to the northeast prior to the construction of the Dunville development (Area D, 16E0449, Excavations Ref. 2017:193). There was evidence for earlier late prehistoric activity predating the settlement. The settlement was in use from the 5th to the 8th century. A later enclosure relating to a burial ground dating to the 10th-12th century was constructed over the earlier ringfort.

The testing demonstrated that the north, north-west and north-east portions of the site had been damaged by previous temporary site works with no potential for surviving archaeology.

A substantial volume of ex site spoil had been spread across the site, particularly to the east. This resulted in the test trenches being between 1.14m and 2.4m in depth. Where archaeology was identified the sides of the trenches were stepped to ensure safe access.

Four archaeological features were identified in Trenches 3 and 4. These consisted of three pits and a curvilinear feature, possibly a flue or slot trench. All contained charcoal and two contained fragments of burnt bone. These features indicate that some archaeology survives within the proposed development site possibly associated with the late prehistoric or early medieval activity identified in Area D to the northwest. The curvilinear feature in particular may be of interest as it may represent part of a cereal-drying kiln or associated feature. Numerous kilns were uncovered associated with the early medieval settlement to the northwest.

Three linear ditches were also identified during the testing programme, two in Trench 2 and a third in Trench 4. No field boundaries are depicted in the vicinity of the larger ditch in Trench 4. The smaller ditches in Trench 2 are in the vicinity of the western side of the formal gardens around Sion House and may be associated with this. Neither of the smaller ditches were identified in the adjacent trenches. While it is likely the ditches are agricultural, no dateable material was present within any of them, and it is possible they are associated with the early medieval field system to the northwest.

Archaeology Plan, 32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2