2001:080 - KNOCKAUN, Clare

This site was discovered during monitoring of topsoil-stripping during the Dromoland to Ballycasey Road Improvement Scheme Phase II. The site, AR31A, was subsequently excavated, as it was apparent that the construction of the road would destroy any underlying archaeology.
The topsoil consisted of dark brown loam that extended to a depth of 0.2m. The removal of the topsoil exposed a fulacht spread, subcircular in shape with an irregular extension to the south. It consisted of loose sandy loam containing 60% heat-shattered sandstone, 5% charcoal and moderate inclusions of decayed stone. It measured 4.3m by 6.3m and had a maximum depth of 0.15–0.2m. A rock outcrop was evident along its south-eastern edge.

A trough was exposed beneath the fulacht spread. This was roughly oval in shape and its fill consisted of loose sandy loam containing 60% heat-shattered sandstone, 5% charcoal and moderate amounts of decayed stone. The upper 0.1m of the fill contained peat. The cut was U-shaped, measuring 2.1m by 1.26m. The trough was cut into natural and reached a depth of 0.31m (OD 11.54m). The sides of the cut were gentle and gradual, with the break of slope at 0.2–0.3m. Two stones rested in the base of the trough. A post-hole was cut through the base. Its fill consisted of compact sandy brown loam. The cut for this feature was shallow and circular with straight-cut vertical sides and a flat base. The diameter of the post-hole was 0.12m and it reached a depth of 0.06m. There were no finds from this context and there were no other accompanying post-holes. This post-hole may have supported a post for suspension of an object above the trough. Analysis of a charcoal sample from the trough produced a date of 2580–2210 BC, placing this feature within the late Neolithic–early Bronze Age transitional period.

15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth