Industrial site in Knowth

Archaeological excavation (02E0726) revealed there were no burials in the middle enclosure of Site M (ME019-028----) but there was evidence of metalworking at SE in a spread of charcoal enriched soils (D 0.5m) with heat shattered stones and burnt clay fragments over a metalled surface. No furnaces were found but much of the cinders were inorganic in origin. Beneath the cobbled surface were three post-holes, one of which produced a radiocarbon date of 637-769 cal. AD. The combination of burial and metalworking in separate though related parts of the monument suggest it may have been a secular cemetery. (Stout G. & Stout M. 2008, 59) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 8 June 2021