EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Meath
Betaghstown (Bettystown), Co. Meath
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure and Cemetery
Grid references: O15907300 (31490/27300); O15607320 (31560/27320);
O14907340 (31490/27340); O15707325 (31570/27325); O15647331
(31564/27331)
SMR No: ME021-010; ME021-019
Excavation Licence No: 98E0072; 01E1170; 02E1709; 04E0533; 04E1649; 05E0005
Excavation duration/year: Multiple excavations between 1977 and 2004
Site directors: E.P. Kelly (National Museum), R. Meenan, J. Eogan, E. Halpin, E.
Kieran, J. Lehane (ADS Ltd.), L. Clarke, D. Murphy (ACS Ltd.)
Excavations occurred initially in Betaghstown in the late 1970s and an intensification of
development from the late 1990s produced further archaeological investigations that revealed
a range of features dating from prehistory until the post medieval period. Early medieval
activity is preset in the form of settlement and burial evidence. Many of the excavations
occurred on part of – and adjacent to – a low ridge overlooking the sea just south of the
village of Betaghstown.
Initial excavations at Betaghstown revealed a small cemetery and a Bronze Age cist burial to
its west (ME021-010). The former consisted of 16 graves which potentially date to the late
prehistoric and early medieval periods. The majority were extended inhumations in unlined
graves and two were stone-lined. An iron object, perhaps a strap end, was found in one of
the graves containing the skeleton of a child. Two of the burials were in crouched positions
and two later extended burials were in slab-lined graves, one of which cut into one of the
crouched inhumations One of the former was accompanied by two penannular brooches,
dating to the late Iron Age, and an iron belt buckle. A stone axe pendant was suspended
from the neck and a bronze plate, perforated at each end, seems to have served as a hair
ornament. Remains of two types of textile and of a hair net were present in the grave.
Excavation – in advance of a residential and commercial development – approximately 20
years after Kelly’s investigations revealed three main phases of archaeological activity to the
south of the above cemetery. These consisted of a Neolithic timber circle, an early Bronze
Age flat cemetery and a larger cemetery that extended along the top of the ridge. The latter
consisted of 55 extended west-east inhumations. The majority were buried in simple stonelined
pits although three burials were interred in lintel graves and six were found in slab-lined
graves. The cemetery cut the earlier Neolithic timber circle and likely dates to the late
prehistoric and early medieval periods.
An archaeological assessment in advance of a proposed residential development site at
Narrow Ways in Betaghstown revealed the partial remains of two disarticulated skeletons
potentially dating between the late prehistoric and early medieval periods.
Further testing and excavation in the areas in proximity to the above sites revealed a burnt
mound trough with associated midden and roasting pits, linear ditches, an unstratified
skeleton, possible cremation pits and a series of curvilinear ditches that enclosed a souterrain.
The souterrain was situated in the northern area of the enclosure and was constructed of
water-rolled stones. Several habitation layers were recorded. A decorated bone comb was
found in association with a stone floor at the western terminus where the entrance was
potentially located.
The most recent excavations at Betaghstown uncovered a curving ditch, which probably
formed a complete enclosure, near the above cemetery (ME021-010). It was filled with shell,
animal bone and pieces of waste flint. This ditch enclosed three large oval-shaped pits that
were probably the remains of refuse pits. Charred plant remains – identified as hulled barley
and oats – and charred wood – identified as apple, cherry/plum, willow, ash and hazel – were
recovered from the pits. One of the pits was dated to A.D. 430-620. Four roughly circular pits
were identified to the north of the ditch. A scatter of small charcoal and oxidised clay spreads
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