Final Report: Archaeological Excavations at Grange 5, M3 Clonee North of Kells Motorway Scheme

This is a final report of an archaeological excavation at Grange 5 which was located on the route of the M3 Navan–Kells & Kells Bypass (Archaeological Services Contract 4) of the M3 Clonee–North of Kells Motorway Scheme, County Meath. The excavation was carried out by Amanda Kelly of Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd on behalf of Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority. The work was carried out under Ministerial Direction No. A029/003 and National Monuments Service (NMS) Excavation Registration No. E3121 which were received from the DoEHLG in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland. The fieldwork took place between 16 – 27 November 2006. A total area of 850m2 was opened around Grange 5 to reveal the archaeological features that were identified at the site during archaeological testing under licence 04E0925. Five pits, two possible postholes and two curvilinear ditches were identified at Grange 5. One of the pits was dated to the early Bronze Age but appeared to be in isolation. Two of the pits had charcoal rich fills with scorched/burnt bases and contained large quantities of charred plant remains including barley, oat and rye. A date in the Iron Age/early medieval period was established for one of these features and these have been interpreted as cereal-drying pits/features. The two curvilinear ditches were undated but respected the features outlined above