What is recorded here

Excavation: In County Meath, a hidden ditch lies beneath garden soil, marking the outer defences of a motte and bailey. Medieval pottery emerged from its dark clay fill, proving the site remained active long after its builders departed. The ditch still crosses property lines, continuing into neighbouring land despite modern drains and development.

Archaeological testing (02E1101) by R. Meenan just W of the motte and bailey (ME044-044001-) recorded the outer edge of a ditch (Wth of top 6m plus; D 1m plus) that seems to be concentric with the visible fosse of the motte (excavations.ie 2002:1520; 2004:1330). It appeared beneath garden soil (D c. 0.8-1m) and had a top fill of a dark grey silty clay with organic material that produced two sherds of medieval pottery. It is probably an outer defensive fosse associated with the motte. A second ditch (Wth of top 2.5m; D 0.5m) with a similar fill also produced medieval pottery and entered the first ditch from the W. A combination of re-siting the development and piling ensures that the ditches are preserved. (Meenan 2002) More testing (19E0463) by S. Hickey further N within the same property uncovered a short length (L 3.3m) of the ditch before it was cut by a modern drain, but the ditch continued into the neighbouring property to the NW (excavations.ie 2019:129). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 9 December 2021

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