Roads programme unearths artefacts

Countless artefacts which have increased our knowledge and understanding of those who lived on this island in history and pre-history have been unearthed thanks to the national roads programme.

That is the view of archaeologists commissioned by the National Roads Authority which yesterday held a seminar in Dublin on the range of artefacts so far uncovered.

Found near Watergrasshill, Co Cork, was a hoard of King James half-crowns, shillings and sixpences which date from the late 17th century when the king fought William of Orange in Ireland.

The coins and details of James's desperate need for money in the last days of his reign were outlined by the project's archaeologist, Mr Ken Hanley.

On the route of the M4, Ms Linda Fibiger carried out specialist analysis of more than 400 human skeletons from Johnstown, Co Meath.

Her analysis had revealed details of "minor ailments, furious fights and deathly diseases".

Mr Ian Russell and Mr Richard O'Brien provided details of the the Viking site at Woodstown, Co Waterford, one of the most important Viking sites in Europe.

Archaeological testing in 2003 had revealed intensive buried features at the site, and further geophysical testing in 2004, as well as a focused excavation, had shown an intense concentration of Viking period activity, in the 9th and 10th centuries.

A project by Ms Joanne Hughes detailed the uncovering of two Neolithic houses in Granny Townland, Co Kilkenny, while Ms Mary Deevy detailed the discoveries on the controversial M3 motorway through Co Meath.

Ms Deevy said the route had succeeded in avoiding all upstanding archaeological sites and had affected only two recorded sites.

However, the dig had revealed six definite new sites and highlighted other areas of potential. The road was moved to avoid three of the new sites.

Commenting on the work, the senior archaeologist with the roads authority, Ms Dáire O'Rourke, said: "For the first time it has been possible to realise a broad overview of archaeological landscapes.

"It continues to be a unique opportunity to see beneath the soil, how past societies lived, worked and buried their dead."