Cistern in Boyerstown

A geophysical Survey by Bartlett-Clark (2002) noted anomalies which targeted archaeological testing (04E0580) by N. Fairburn (2004) at Testing Area 7 could identify as what appeared to be a burnt mound (excavations.ie 2004:1190). It was fully resolved (E003106) by L. Clarke over one week in July – August 2006 as Boyerstown 2 (excavations.ie 2006:1517) when it proved to be a burnt mound (ME025-091----) overlying this cistern. The cistern had a ramp entrance from the S that approached the deepest part (diam. c. 0.85m; D 0.3m) at NW in four steps around the E side of the cut. There were two stake-holes in the base of the deepest portion. There were also two shallow pits (dims 1.97m x 0.9m; D 0.3m: diam. 1.5m; D 0.09m), both filled with burnt mound material, 2.7m and 1m to the NW of the cut respectively but there was no feature that could have been a trough. A sample of charred elm from the closing layer provided a C14 date of 1200-930 cal. BC (BETA 241315) and a sample of cherry from the larger external pit returned a date of 1190-920 cal. BC (BETA 241316). One animal bone with evidence of cut-marks was recovered. (Clarke 2008) See the attached plan and cross-section from Clarke 2008 (figs 8, 9) _01 plan; _02 cross-section Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 12 April, 2023 Clarke, L. 2008 M3 Clonee-North of Kells. Contract 3 – Navan Bypass. Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Boyerstown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003106. Final Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services

A possible Neolithic burnt mound; significance relates to early ritual or industrial activity.