Results of N6 digs coming to light

The fascinating conclusions of over four years of investigations at archaeological sites along the Kinnegad-Kilbeggan N6 route are starting to come to light, and are currently the subject of exhibitions being held at Mullingar and Athlone."Hidden Landscape: Searching for the Lost Kingdom of Mide" presents findings from archaeological excavations along the N6 and the Mullingar-Belvedere N52 national road schemes, which were conducted between 2004 and 2006.The exhibition has featured at Locke's Distilerry, Kilbeggan, Belvedere House, Mullingar and is currently on display at the Aidan Heavey Library Athlone. It will completes its run at Belvedere House at the end of September.Although the exhibition focus on three main sites - Ballykilmore (outside Tyrrellspass), Clonfad (Dalystown) and Rochfort Demesne on the shores of Lough Ennell - Mullingar-based NRA archaeologist Orlaith Egan has said that both phases of the N6 project saw well over one hundred sites examined in depth.Ms. Egan, who works at Westmeath County Council's National Roads Design Office at Cullionbeg, Mullingar, told the Westmeath Examiner this week that her office is keen to give members of the public a clearer understanding of the work which has taken place, and the conclusions reached by archaeologists.Some of the discoveries made during the analysis period, which began in 2006, are fascinating.Ms. Egan explained that importantly, researchers have gained greater knowledge about the array of "fullacht fiadhs", Bronze Age (c. 900-500 BC) burnt mounds which dot the landscape across the midlands.These multi-functional mounds - detected by the presence of charcoal - are believed to have been used for activities as diverse as cookery, bathing, dyeing, and working with textiles."There's even a theory that the fullacht fiadh have been used for brewing beer, although there is no substantial evidence to support this," Ms. Egan said.Another dig at Tubber, outside Moate, discovered evidence of a Bronze Age house and hearth, late Bronze Age pottery and the remains of a spindle wheel, while at Cappydonnell Big, outside Horseleap - described as a "multi-period site" - a stone-lined cist containing a disturbed cremation burial was discovered, along with human skulls.Cappydonnell produced evidence of human activity from prehistoric times, the medieval and post-medieval periods, and proved to be one of the largest and most enigmatic sites excavated by archaeologists.As reported in last week's edition of the Westmeath Examiner, digs at several sites between Kinnegad and Rochfortbridge, most notably at Monganstown, discovered evidence of Iron Age and late Bronze Age metalworking, smelting and smithing.The "Hidden Landscapes" exhibition puts the spotlight on Ballykilmore, Clonfad and Rochfort Demesne. At Ballykilmore, with the help of an osteoarchaeologist, the bones of 1,400 individuals were found, bearing testimony to the presence of an early medieval cemetery.The remains uncovered showed how rough life could be for people in early medieval Westmeath, with some of the skeletons stooped from hard labour. Others died young, while other skeletons showed signs of violent death.At Clonfad, where the Annals told of a 6th century monastery founded by St. Finian of Clonard, excavations near the ruined church and graveyard demonstrated evidence of settlement surrounding the religious inner core of the monastery.The inhabitants of the settlement were involved in domestic activities such as food production, and early medieval crafts of metalworking and textile making.Finally, at Rochfort Demesne, the function of the site has not been fully determined, it is certain that it was constructed as a show of wealth and a statement of power.Some historical evidence has been lost due to quarrying at the site in more recent times, although it is suspected that Rochfort Demesne - which lies on the shores of Lough Ennell - may have been of importance to the Clann Cholmáin Kings, who ruled the Kingdom of Mide (Meath) between the 8th and 11th centuries.Ms. Egan said that the exhibition is part of an effort by Westmeath County Council and the NRA to publicise the results of work along the N6, which was funded as part of the overall road project."We're at the end of the analysis period now, and most of the reports are finished," Ms. Egan said.Further information will be divulged in book form, articles, and through the NRA's archaeology magazine, Seanda, which is available locally. On August 27, at the 2009 National Archaeology Seminar at the Gresham Hotel, Dublin, archaeologist Paul Stevens will deliver a lecture on work carried out the monastic site in Clonfad.Furthermore, people hoping to learn more about the NRA's archaeological work across the country have the information at their fingertips, by accessing the NRA Archaeological Database at www.nra.ie/archaeology/NRAArchaeologicalDatabase/.