2024:809 - Castlelost West 1 and 2, Westmeath

Archaeological excavations carried out at a site at Castlelost West, Rochfortbridge, County Westmeath. As part of the mitigation measures for a proposed large-scale linear development at the site, a geophysical survey was conducted, identifying several potential archaeological features. This was followed by a subsequent round of targeted test excavations, carried out based on the survey results, which identified several sites along the route, including Castlelost West 1 and 2.

Castlelost West 1 consisted of two features. An adjustment to the route of the main excavations associated with the development meant that one of the pit features identified in testing at Castlelost 1 was not exposed and is considered preserved in situ. A second possible pit (C49) from testing was only partially exposed and was found to be a non-archaeological deposit.

Castlelost West 2 primarily consisted of two northwest-southeast-oriented linear features (C6 and C22), one shorter east-west linear feature (C14), six pits (C3-C5, C11, C18, C24), a possible pit (C34), and one shallow irregular depression or possible spread (C7). Numerous features identified as a result of testing/geophysical survey proved to be non-archaeological (C8-C10, C12, C13, C15-C17, C19-C21, C23, C37, C49).

The two northwest-southeast-oriented linear features (C6, C22) were located along the western extent of the site. Both features extended beyond the limits of excavation to the west and were therefore not fully excavated. The northernmost feature (C22) also appeared to be curving slightly to the west, which suggests that the two may represent a circular enclosure that extended into the unexcavated area to the west of the site. Both are likely contemporary.  C6 and C22 contained sterile fills with no evidence of charcoal or plant macroremains. The only artefacts recovered from these features were from the northernmost (C22). A sherd of pottery was recovered from the upper fill (C47), and an iron object from the primary fill (C46). The pottery was identified as a sherd of post-medieval unglazed earthenware. Fill C47 appeared to represent a later re-cut into the linear feature C22. The iron object was identified as part of a medieval buckle plate or strap end, but this is tentative, and it cannot contribute to establishing the date of C22.  The southernmost linear feature (C6) also cut a smaller, narrower, shallower linear feature (C14), which was oriented roughly east-west. C14 was filled with a single fill (C40), which was also sterile.

The six pits (C3-C5, C11, C18, C24) and the possible pit (C34) were scattered throughout the site. A cluster of three pits (C3-C5) was located at the southern extent of the site.  C3 was filled with C25-C27. Frequent charcoal and tiny fragments of burnt bone (too small to identify) were recovered from C25 and C26. A sample of charcoal recovered from fill (C25) of pit C3 was submitted for radiocarbon analysis and returned a date of Cal 680-890 AD. C4 was filled with C28-C30, and frequent charcoal was recovered from the upper fill (C28). C5 was filled with C31 and C32. Frequent charcoal and tiny fragments of burnt bone (too small to identify) were recovered from C31, and occasional flecks of charcoal were recovered from C32. A piece of chert debitage was also recovered from the upper fill (C31) of C5. This was an irregular flake and was non-diagnostic, and no date for this artefact can be suggested.

The shallow pit C11 was located east of the small linear feature, C14. It was filled with C35 and C36. A large amount of charcoal was recovered in the upper fill (C35) of C11. Two other charcoal-rich pits (C18 and C24) were identified along the western edge of the site. C18 was located west of the linear feature C6. It was not excavated as it was only partially exposed within the site limits and was preserved in situ. Pit C24 was located west of C22. It was exposed enough to allow for partial excavation. A charcoal-rich layer (C42) was also identified in C24. The possible pit C34 was identified below a shallow, irregular depression/possible spread (C7) at the southern extent of linear feature C6. Both were filled with a deposit that contained a moderate amount of charcoal and possible ash (C33).

The analysis of the excavations at Castlelost West 2 is limited due to the small nature of the site, and the lack of artefacts/faunal remains/macro remains and limited evidence of habitation or settlement. It is plausible to suggest that the features identified within the site are part of a more significant archaeological site which is located beyond the western site limit. The two linear features (C6, C22) also appear contemporary, with the northernmost (C22) curving slightly to the west, suggesting that the two may represent the partial remains of a circular enclosure. Assuming that the two linear features represent a settlement enclosure, charcoal in the identified pits may represent industrial activity, and it is possible that all of the identified features are contemporary. However, it is equally likely that all the features are unrelated and represent various periods of activity.

Only three artefacts were recovered from the site – a piece of chert from the pit C5, a post-medieval pottery sherd and a possible belt buckle from ditch C22, none of which can be used to accurately date the feature from which they were recovered or accurately date the site. The post-medieval pottery sherd was likely from a later re-cut in the ditch C22, and the belt buckle was only tentatively dated to the medieval period, whilst the chert fragment from pit C5 was non-diagnostic, and no date could be suggested. The radiocarbon date from the pit C3 places activity within this site to the Early Medieval period (7^th-9^th century AD). Ultimately, further excavation to the west may be necessary to fully understand the function of the features identified at Castlelost West 2.