Habitation site in Donacarney Great

Located on a slight rise in a fairly level landscape. Archaeological testing (06E0413) on an area of about 15 acres (c. 6 ha) SW of the R150 Bettystown to Donacarney road identified a number of features consisting mostly of linear trenches or spreads of silty clays with bone inclusions. There was an L-shaped trench (L 7.2m; 2.3m; Wth 0.7m; ) just NE of a curved trench (Wth 1m; D 0.25m) open to the SW. A group of features in a concentrated area (dims c. 60m x 45m) was resolved into eight refuse pits and two, or possibly three, corn-drying kilns. The subrectangular refuse pits (dims 1.67m x 1.4m; D 0.55m to 4.75m x 4.65m; D 0.6m) contained large quantities of animal bone, some burnt in roasting. The faunal assemblage was dominated by cattle, followed by sheep and pig, and the bones represented large animals which were probably slaughtered for immediate consumption. Dog and cat were also present, perhaps as scavengers. Two subrectangular pits (dims 2.4m N-S; 1.2m E-W; D 0.4m: dims 2.7m N-S; 2.3m E-W; D 0.2-0.4m), which from their fills and evidence of oxidisation of the subsoil, are likely to have been for cereal drying were also recorded in this area. Barley, wheat and oats, some of it charred, was recovered close to them, and they are likely to be contemporary with the other pits. Five curvilinear features were also recorded which may have been related to the kilns. A sample of animal bone produced a calibrated C14 determination of AD 320-520 for this open habitation, which may have served a larger settlement in the vicinity. Compiled by: Michel Moore Date of upload: 19 July 2018