Excavation — miscellaneous in Randalstown

Archaeological monitoring (03E0666) by K. Campbell of an area of about 25 hectares (c. 60 acres) in the N borrowing area of a mining development identified seven principal areas of archaeological potential that were set aside for further investigation (excavations.ie 2003:1448). Site 5 is described by Campbell (2004, 14-15) as a collection of at least eleven deposits or features in a limited area (dims c. 25m N-S; c. 12m E-W) but it might very well extend under a baulk at E. Apart from small spreads (dim. c. 0.3m to 2.5m x 0.9m) there was a possible stone setting (dim. 1.2m) at one point. A flint scraper and a medieval plough pebble were found in the topsoil. In a later archaeological assessment (10E0075) P. D. Sweetman (2010, 13-21) discovered that this area had been better protected than others and almost all the features could be identified (excavations.ie 2011:496). They proved to be fairly small (diam. c. 0.2m; D 0.1m to 0.6m; D 0.25m) and were filled with various clays, some with charcoal flecks. Feature 7 consisted of five pieces of charred wood (Wth 0.08m; T 0.02m) covering a shallow pit (dims 0.6m x 0.5m D 0.09m) that was filled with a charcoal-stained clay over small pieces of sandstone at the bottom. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 27 March 2023 Campbell, K. 2004 Report on Archaeological Monitoring at Randalstown, Co. Meath. Licence: 03E0666. Unpublished report, Author Sweetman, P. D 20 Report on Archaeological Assessment and Resolution of Archaeological Features (sites 1-5) Randalstown, County Meath. July-August 2011. Licence: 10E0075. Unpublished report, Author