ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS: POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS

Introduction

Current evidence from the investigations indicates that a number of the discovered sites along the route of the M3 have the potential to reveal significant results. The sites mentioned below are a selection from throughout the scheme which broadly represent the range of site periods and site types. In advance of full-scale excavation, much of this discussion is tentative and it is likely that many of the interpretations will change following further investigation and excavation of the sites.

The most spectacular results to date are the three large enclosure complexes revealed in plan by geophysical survey on the Dunshaughlin-Navan section (Section 2) and subsequently confirmed by testing. It is proposed to carry out further geophysical survey at a number of sites prior to excavation. Also it is acknowledged that sites not included here will reveal significant results upon full excavation, but for the present there is not sufficient information on these sites to generate discussion.

Prehistoric

Prehistoric settlement
Our knowledge of prehistoric settlement in Ireland has changed dramatically in recent years, largely as a result of archaeological investigations on large-scale developments. In particular, recent excavations in advance of road schemes have uncovered significant new evidence of Neolithic and Bronze Age buildings or houses 1. Both Neolithic and Bronze Age buildings have been identified on the M3, e.g. at Dunboyne 3 (Section 1), Gardenrath 2 (Section 4), Townparks 5 (Section 4), Ardsallagh 2 (Section 2), Boyerstown 3 (Section 3) and Kilmainham (Section 4). As yet no Iron Age buildings have been identified.

As on most major developments burnt mounds are one of the most common monuments revealed. Despite numerous excavations throughout Ireland of this predominately Bronze Age monument, many questions remain about their use. 2 In advance of excavation, it is difficult to assess the potential of any of the individual burnt mounds on the M3 contributing to this debate. The date of the majority of sites currently classified as prehistoric on the M3 has not yet been confirmed. However, an assessment of a selection of sites is made below on the basis of preliminary identification of pottery and the site plans etc.

Prehistoric burial sites
Ring-ditches, such as those identified at Raynestown 1 (Section 1), Berrillstown 1 and Ardsallagh 1 (Section 2), are the most common burial site identified on the M3. Further investigation, however, of numerous possible cremation pits may show that unenclosed burials outnumber ring-ditches, e.g. at Collierstown 2 and at Gardenrath 1 (probable cist with in situ burning). Modern agricultural practices have largely removed any upstanding features that may have been associated with these monuments. It would also appear that some sites may not have had any surface marking originally.

Early Medieval

Early medieval settlement
Traditionally studies of early medieval settlement in Ireland have focused on classic type-sites, such as ringforts, crannógs and ecclesiastical enclosures. It has been suggested that other nucleated or village-like settlement forms (the baile of early medieval texts) emerged, particularly towards the end of the early Middle Ages (c. 1000 AD), when ringforts had been abandoned. 3

Recent NRA projects elsewhere in Ireland have identified unusual, complex enclosures that may have enclosed such nucleated settlements, or they may have been farm estate centres or specialist production (i.e. metalworking) sites. Most of these sites also produce burials, indicating a more complex site use. 4 There have been several discoveries on the M3 that may represent similar exciting evidence for early medieval settlements, such as the large enclosure complexes at Roestown 2, Dowdstown 2 and Baronstown 1 (Section 2).

Late Iron Age-Early Medieval burial site
At least three extended inhumations, two in stone-lined graves, oriented E-W were identified by testing at Collierstown 1 (Section 2). Extended supine inhumations in stone-lined graves, on an E-W orientation, are typically dated from the fourth century AD onwards.5 In some cases, these may have been the burials of the earliest Christians, during the Iron Age/Early Christian transition. It is also interesting that these graves are often placed on or close-to Bronze Age or Iron Age burial mounds or standing stones, suggesting that communities sought to establish a link with the ancestors at a time of social and ideological change.

Medieval

In recent years, archaeologists have become increasingly interested in medieval rural settlement in Ireland.6 However, the amount of excavated medieval rural settlements remains low. The majority of townland names in Meath are Anglo-Norman or English forms, many containing personal names such as Garretstown and Boyerstown as illustrated below. 7 This is not surprising considering the extent of colonial settlement in Meath nor is it surprising that a number of medieval sites have been identified on the M3, at Castlefarm 1 (Section 1), Garretstown 2 , Trevet 1 (Section 2), Boyerstown 1 (Section 3) and Phoenixtown 2 (Section 4).

Post-Medieval/Early Modern

i34.jpg
Gate on disused 19th century railway

The post-medieval and early modern periods are represented by a number of sites throughout the scheme, principally small vernacular houses, the majority of which are not upstanding and were identified by map regression testing. The M3 crosses
the disused 19th/20th-century Midland Great Western Railway line between Dublin and Cavan. While the track itself has long been dismantled some of the associated features such as bridges and gateways survive.One interesting post-medieval site identified by the testing at Rath Hill south of Dunshaughlin (Section 1).


Monuments within the broader landscape surrounding the Hill of Tara

Newman in his detailed archaeological survey of the Hill of Tara also examined a broader landscape of about 100km 2 around the hill (study zone 2).Using aerial photographs, maps and other sources, he identified 23 new archaeological sites in this broader landscape with a minimum of 18 of these considered as potentially prehistoric monuments, most probably ritual sites with some possible settlement sites. The remaining 5 were circular enclosures, identified as cropmarks, of unknown date.8

The Dunshaughlin-Navan section of the M3 overlaps with this study zone for approximately 11km of its length, from Clowanstown townland north of Dunshaughlin to Ardsallagh townland south of Navan. The M3 archaeological investigations (using aerial photography, maps, archival sources, but also geophysical surveys and test trenching) have now identified 25 new archaeological sites within the relatively narrow band encompassed by the road landtake (an area that covers 1.6% of Newman's broader study area). Approximately 17 of these sites are currently identified as prehistoric sites. The majority of monuments on the Hill of Tara itself are also thought to date to the prehistoric period and to have been burial or ritual monuments. While ritual monuments occur in the surrounding area Newman suggested that the hilltop was especially set aside as a ritual area, and that contemporary settlement sites were located in the surrounding hinterland.9

Neolithic
The earliest known monument on the Hill of Tara is the Neolithic passage tomb, the Mound of the Hostages, and it is likely that the broader landscape surrounding the Hill of Tara has been occupied since at least this period. Although no sites dated to the Neolithic have yet been found on this section of the M3, it is possible that some of the small settlement sites identified in the river valley could be of this early prehistoric date.

Bronze Age
It also seems likely that Bronze Age settlements, activity areas and ritual monuments have been located in the wider landscape. Approximately 10 sites are currently interpreted as Bronze Age with 4 burnt mounds and the possible burial and settlement sites described above - Ardsallagh roundhouse, Ardsallagh ring - ditch, Collierstown pot burial, Ardsallagh and Berrillstown cremations. There was also some Bronze Age activity at Baronstown 1.

Iron Age
Although Tara was undoubtedly significant in the Iron Age (the period of construction of Ráith na Ríg and the Rath of the Synods), no contemporary settlement sites have yet been identified on the scheme. However two burial sites discussed above under other periods, Ardsallagh ring-ditch and the Collierstown stone-lined graves, may also be Iron Age in date.

Early Medieval
During the early medieval period the Hill of Tara rose to prominence as a symbolic and ideological power centre, being the focus of public assemblies, inaugurations and other political events. The hilltop itself may not have been the focus of any major monument building activities, although Tech Cormaic may have been a royal enclosure and the prehistoric mounds undoubtedly were seen as being of significance and may have been 'reactivated' in some ways. Bhreathnach's historical research has established the basis for our understanding of the political organisation of the early medieval kingdoms in the region.10

However, relatively little is known archaeologically of the early medieval occupation and landscape usage around the Hill of Tara. The M3 investigations have identified several sites that may date to the early medieval period, including the enclosure complex at Dowdstown (adjacent to the River Boyne), the stone-lined graves at Collierstown and the possible large ringfort at Baronstown (under the hill of Skreen).

Medieval
Bhreathnach's research has also indicated that Anglo-Norman settlement in the broader landscape around the Hill of Tara,was based on both continuity with the political territories of the pre-Norman era and on the topographical features of the landscape itself. 11 It is likely that some Anglo-Norman settlements were located on or close to earlier sites 12. Although just outside Newman's study area,the nearby Anglo-Norman settlement at Trevet is situated on a historically significant pre-Norman site. The M3 investigations have identified a small medieval building in this townland. The medieval moated site identified at Garretstown is also nearby.

Post-medieval/Early Modern
Five sites identified in this area are vernacular buildings and small-scale industrial sites of post-medieval or early modern date. In this period the landscape surrounding the Hill of Tara witnessed some of the most profound changes, including land enclosure, roadway and rail construction and some industrial activity. The archaeological investigation of vernacular buildings and industrial sites is relatively new in Ireland and has the potential to reveal new insights into activities of recent centuries that have hitherto been largely ignored by archaeologists.

Conclusion

Previous research had demonstrated the high potential for new monuments all along the M3. The M3 investigation's geophysical survey spectacularly illustrated the potential for new sites previously unidentified or unidentifiable by other forms of non-invasive investigations. The test trenching confirmed and clarified the results of the previous investigations but most significantly identified numerous new sites that eluded non-invasive techniques. Each phase of archaeological investigation has added clarity to the evolving archaeological record.

The next phase of archaeological work will include metal detection surveys and 'ploughed' field walking surveys and these will provide further information on the sites identified, however, it is only through excavation and post-excavation that the significance of the approximately 160 sites may be understood. Nevertheless the results to date have indicated sites which have the potential to significantly contribute to major areas of research. One example outlined above (Dowdstown) is the early medieval settlement site where it may be possible to examine the transition between settlement forms.

Clearly the M3 Clonee-North of Kells road scheme is not an archaeological research project. The sites being investigated are not chosen to answer particular research questions nor are they a completely random sample through the county as roads deliberately avoid upstanding monuments and various topographical and other environmental constraints. Yet perhaps because of these factors, linear schemes such as roads have a tendency to highlight previously unidentified monument types, which are changing the face of Irish archaeology. The next phase of work on the M3 has enormous potential to contribute to archaeological research. The research framework approach proposed will endeavour to ensure that this potential is realised.

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Footnotes

  1. Hughes, J. Forthcoming, 'Two Neolithic structures in Granny Townland,County Kilkenny' in J. O' Sullivan and M. Stanley (eds) Recent Archaeological Discoveries on National Road Schemes 2004: Archaeology and the National Roads Authority. Monograph Series No.2. Dublin, NRA.; Cotter, E. Forthcoming. 'Bronze Age Ballybrowney, County Cork'  in J. O' Sullivan and M. Stanley (eds) Recent Archaeological Discoveries on National Road Schemes 2004: Archaeology and the National Roads Authority. Monograph Series No.2. Dublin, NRA.; Roycroft, N. 2003,'Industries and uprisings at Carrickmacross', Archaeology Ireland 17 No.4,5.
  2. Cross May, S., Murray, C., Ó Néill, J.and Stevens, P. 2005, 'Wetland structures: typologies and parallels', in M. Gowen, J. Ó Néill and M. Phillips (eds) The Lisheen Mine Archaeological Project 1996 - 8 , 209 -221. Bray, Wordwell Ltd.
  3. For example, see Doherty, C. 2000, 'Early settlement' in T. Barry (ed.) The Settlement History of Ireland , 50 - 80. London, Routledge.
  4. For example, Raystown, Co.Meath on the N2 Finglas-Ashbourne; Johnstown, Co.Meath [Clarke, L. 2002, 'An early medieval enclosure and burials, Johnstown, Co. Meath', Archaeology Ireland 16 No.4, 13 -15]; Killickaweeny, Co Kildare [Walsh, F.and Harrison, J. 2003, 'Early medieval enclosure at Killickaweeny, Co. Kildare', Archaeology Ireland 17 No.1, 33 -36] and Balriggan, Co. Louth [Delaney, S.and Roycroft, N. 2003, 'Early medieval enclosure at Balriggan, Co. Louth', Archaeology Ireland 17 No.2, 16 -19].
  5. O'Brien, E. 1992, 'Pagan and Christian burial in Ireland during the first millennium A.D.: continuity and change'  in N. Edwards and A. Lane (eds) The Early Church in Wales and the West: recent work in Early Christian archaeology, history and place-names , 130-37. Oxbow Monograph 16. Oxford, Oxbow Books.
  6. O' Conor, K. D. 1998, The Archaeology of Medieval Rural Settlement in Ireland. Discovery Programme Monograph 3. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy / Discovery Programme.
  7. EIS M3 Dunshaughlin-Navan.
  8. Newman, C. 1997, Tara: An archaeological survey. Discovery Programme Monograph 2. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy / Discovery Programme, 183.
  9. Ibid.,181.
  10. Bhreathnach, E. 1999, 'Authority and supremacy in Tara and its hinterland c .950 -1200 ', Discovery Programme Reports 5 , 1 -23. Dublin, Royal Irish Academy / Discovery Programme.
  11. Ibid.,14.
  12. Ibid.,17.

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