2024:812 - Newtown Road, Newtownstalaban, Drogheda, Louth
County: Louth
Site name: Newtown Road, Newtownstalaban, Drogheda
Sites and Monuments Record No.: LH024-094 & LH024-094001
Licence number: 23E0509
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Author/Organisation Address: Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 710737m, N 776188m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.723590, -6.322032
This site was initially assessed by geophysical survey 23R0172 in 2023 by Murphy when two monuments were identified (LH024-094 and LH024-094001) in the field to the east. Subsequent test trenching in February 2024 in Phase 1 of the development and west of the monuments failed to identify any archaeological features. However, as the site was immediately adjacent to these monuments archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping was recommended. This was undertaken from March 2024 and continued into the summer under licence 23E0509 ext.
All stripped spoil was examined for finds visually and by a Garrett ATX metal detector
under licence 23R0309 ext. issued to Deirdre Murphy. The monitoring revealed that the sod and topsoil averaged 0.3-0.4m in depth and overlay the subsoil where it was exposed. The subsoil comprised an orange/brown silty boulder clay with frequent small sub-angular stones. Finds recovered through metal detection of topsoil comprised rusted iron nails/bars and were all modern in nature. No archaeological
features or deposits were exposed or identified.
The works on phase 1 is now complete, the site has been stripped and developed, and no further archaeological work is required. There will be no impact on the archaeological monuments (LH024-094 and LH024-094001) to the east, as they are outside the current phase 1 development.