County: Meath Site name: Matthews Lane/Platin Road, Lagavooren, Drogheda
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 23E0598
Author: Donald Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 707744m, N 773366m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.698867, -6.368345
A total of eleven test trenches were excavated, located within the footprint of the proposed development. Each trench measured a minimum of 1.8m in width, and in total 771m of linear trenching were excavated. The test trenches were excavated down to a natural subsoil that varied from an orange boulder clay to a mottled orange and grey clay. The topsoil measured between 0.24m and 0.58m in thickness and consisted of a light yellowish-brown silty clay with post-medieval to modern inclusions such as sherds of white glazed ceramic, red glazed earthenware, clay pipe fragments, red brick, shell, and animal bone. The site was not fully tested due to the presence of spoil heaps and electricity ducts.
A single feature of archaeological significance, a burnt stone spread (C3), c. 13m by 13m, was identified in Trench 4, in the north portion of the site. There is potential that associated features, such as pits and troughs, might exist under the spread and the site is therefore recommended for full excavation as preservation in situ is not possible.
Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
