2022:181 - BALLYBEG, Westmeath
County: Westmeath
Site name: BALLYBEG
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 22E0410
Author: Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates
Author/Organisation Address: Creganna, Oranmore, Co. Galway
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 622066m, N 739888m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.408665, -7.668128
Archaeological test excavation was carried out on a proposed development site at Ballybeg, Co. Westmeath on 22 June 2022. The proposed development comprises a dwelling house, garage, wastewater treatment system and associated site works. Early Ordnance Survey maps indicate that the site is located at the north-west edge of a former pocket of wetland, now reclaimed and used for rough grazing.
A mechanical excavator fitted with a wide grading bucket was retained to open six test trenches on the footprint of the development.
A spread of burnt material (dims. 14.5m north-east/south-west x min. 17m) was uncovered on the route of the driveway, which is situated on low-lying ground in the east of the site. Small sondage cuttings revealed 0.005–0.075m of burnt material over 0.225–0.25m of peat over grey sandy clay natural. The peat is considered to be a paleosol with the potential to retain and/or seal archaeological material associated with the burnt spread. It is proposed to preserve the archaeology in situ.