Diggers back at Tara Intersection site

meath | history and heritage | news report

Monday September 19, 2005 21:46

by Tara SOS - Tara SOS - M3 to the West

Meath

0863213755

First Time in months

Dr. Pat Wallace, National Museum: 'Mechanical topsoil stripping of known areas of archaeology would not be desirable given the fact that the burnt spreads have already been exposed.'

This is a site with burnt spreads.

Digging in the Gabhra Valley - Tara on right

Dr. Pat Wallace's recommendations:
04E0428 Blundelstown 1
KILN
I note that no interpretation is offered for the feature which has come to light during testing and would request further information with regard to the suspected date or function of the kiln in question.
Given the nature and size of the feature in question I would not concur with the proposals for mechanical topsoil removal in the areas surrounding and feel, in addition to this that the timescale for the excavation does not seem adequate given that the other associated features may come to light in the area. May I have a copy of the plan showing the extent of the proposed cutting in question?
04E0428 Blundlestown 2 & 3
Possible disturbed remains of two burnt mounds
I seek further information on the methodology to be used with regard to excavation. Will further sampling of the mounds be carried out? Mechanical topsoil stripping of known areas of archaeology would not be desirable given the fact that the burnt spreads have already been exposed. Finally, given the vast area to be topsoil stripped, the likelihood of further associated features may come to light in the area. May I have a copy of the plan showing the extent of the proposed cutting in question?
04E0428 Philpotstown 1
19th century post-office and smithy
May I have further information on the remains which have come to light to date in this area? I would recommend that the services of an architectural historian/conservator are engaged to ensure that a comprehensive survey is undertaken before any excavation of the site is carried out. Given the features that have come to light to date and the possibility of further 19th century material coming to light, I would not concur with proposals for mechanical excavation of cutting in the area of known archaeology.

I consider such material to be of great importance and value to the National Museum of Ireland collections. Finally, I would recommend that the advice of a trained conservator be sought with regard to the treatment/excavation of the metalled track way that has come to light, detailed in p.18 of the testing report. May I have a copy of the plan showing the extent of the proposed cutting in question?
Dr Patrick F. Wallace
Director
National Museum of Ireland
16th March 2005