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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Meath<br />

Cloncowan, Co. Meath<br />

Early Medieval Settlement/Cemetery<br />

Grid reference: N75494931 (275497/249316)<br />

SMR No: ME042-031<br />

Excavation License No: 02E0883<br />

Excavation duration: June – July 2002<br />

Site director: C. Baker (Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd.)<br />

An initial topographical survey at Cloncowan in advance <strong>of</strong> the gas pipeline to the west<br />

identified a distinct platform approximately 30m in diameter and 0.5m high (Fig. 247).<br />

Excavation <strong>of</strong> its eastern quadrant revealed 34 features <strong>of</strong> archaeological interest. <strong>The</strong> results<br />

indicate that a Bronze Age ringditch became the focus <strong>of</strong> a burial ground during the early<br />

medieval period. <strong>The</strong> site was on the east-facing slope <strong>of</strong> a north-south gravel ridge.<br />

<strong>The</strong> main focus <strong>of</strong> the site was a penannular ditch. Its western arc extended for 3.4m and<br />

contained seven fills. Three pieces <strong>of</strong> chert and a piece <strong>of</strong> flint were recovered from its fill.<br />

<strong>The</strong> longer eastern arc extended for 10m and three phases were identified in the ditch. <strong>The</strong><br />

primary fill included charcoal-rich, silty clay which contained frequent burnt and un-burnt<br />

bone. A number <strong>of</strong> artefacts were retrieved including a bone spindle-whorl. <strong>The</strong> second<br />

deposit was identified as the result <strong>of</strong> slippage. <strong>The</strong> final phase, which incorporated a re-cut<br />

<strong>of</strong> the ditch, contained 13 burials.<br />

Three further graves were enclosed by the penannular ditch. <strong>The</strong>re was no consistency in<br />

their alignment and eight were interred in graves that truncated the cut <strong>of</strong> the ditch. Ear-muff<br />

stones were present by the head in one grave while another contained a pillow-stone. <strong>The</strong><br />

burials have been preliminarily identified as five adults, seven juveniles and four neonates.<br />

Pits, postholes and gullies were located to the south-west <strong>of</strong> the penannular enclosure. It is<br />

unclear as yet if they are contemporary with the cemetery. A wide, shallow ditch – 24.5m in<br />

length and 5.9m wide – was found downslope. It produced three sherds <strong>of</strong> Leinster cooking<br />

ware indicating later medieval activity at the site. Thirty six artefacts were retrieved from this<br />

site and most were associated with the western arc <strong>of</strong> the penannular ditch. <strong>The</strong>se included<br />

iron pins, a needle, chain links, a bone pin and a fragment <strong>of</strong> a bone pendant.<br />

Three radiocarbon dates from Cloncowan indicate that the ringditch was constructed during<br />

the Bronze Age and re-visited and adopted as a cemetery in the early medieval period. (see<br />

below).<br />

523

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