Pit-burial in Simonstown

Situated on a fairly level landscape. Archaeological monitoring (98E0352) of topsoil stripping over an area of about 38 hectares (c. 95 acres) by C. Ó Drisceoil (2001, 4-5) identified six areas of potential archaeological importance consisting largely of pits filled with charcoal and burnt stones (excavations.ie 1998:526). Area 4 was a pit burial (dims 0.31m x 0.27m; D 0.08m) with a fill of burnt human bone and charcoal in a black-brown silty clay. Four fire-spots or small hearths (dims c. 0.3m x 0.2m; max. D 0.1m) with deposits of ash and charcoal were in close proximity. Seven post-holes were also present but no pattern was discernible, and the area was crossed by some furrows. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date o upload: 24 March 2023 Ó Drisceoil, C. 1998 Archaeological Test-excavations at Simonstown, Co. Meath. Licence: 98E0352. Unpublished Interim Report, Archaeological Consultancy Services

Pit-burial in Simonstown is a prehistoric burial feature, likely dating to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. Its discovery contributes to understanding of early funerary practices in an otherwise unremarkable landscape.