County: Meath Site name: Commons, Duleek
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME027-038 Licence number: 24E0342
Author: Glenn Gibney, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Site type: Medieval - urban
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 704500m, N 768360m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.654557, -6.419136
Archaeological test trenching was carried out at this site, a garden with a residential dwelling house at Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath. Four trenches measuring 1.8m in width and 68m in combined length were excavated to the subsoil. In general topsoil/garden soil was deep, measuring at least 2m in depth at the north of the site and was shallower to the south where it measured 0.46m. Testing confirmed that archaeological deposits survived in the northern two thirds of the site. Features exposed included a possible kiln (C4), pit (C7) and linear features (C3, C5, C6, C8 & C9) and these survived at depths varying between 1-2m below the surface.
Charcoal was visible on the surface of the pit and kiln and animal bone was also obvious on the surface of the kiln. Owing to the depth of these features they could not be sectioned or further assessed but it is likely that some at least are medieval in date and may be associated with the ecclesiastical and medieval remains in the immediate surrounding environment.
Spoil from excavated test trenches was examined for finds visually and by a Garrett ATX metal detector under licence 24R0200 issued to Glenn Gibney. The only find recovered came from excavated topsoil from Trench 1 and comprised a possible post-medieval rotary quern stone (24E0342:1:1). Further archaeological mitigation is recommended at this site to ensure identified archaeological features are not impacted and preserved in situ with an adequate vertical buffer and, failing
this, are preserved by record (excavation).
Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
