2003:1052 - BALLYDAVIS, Morett and Cappakeel, Laois

Centre-line trenching took place at four sections along the M7 Heath–Mayfield (Monasterevin Bypass). The first section was in the townland of Ballydavis beside SMR 13:26(02). A series of parallel trenches were placed at four locations. Remains of a mostly prehistoric nature were located at all locations. They were later excavated by Grace Fegan (No. 1053, Excavations 2003, 03E0151), Colm Hardy (No. 1055, Excavations 2003, 03E0905) and Ros Ó Maoldúin (No. 1054, Excavations 2003, 03E0966). The second section was in the west of Morett townland adjacent to The Heath. No remains of an archaeological nature were uncovered. The third section was in the east of Morett townland and traversed the land just north of Morett Castle. Three skeletons, two ring-ditches, at least three prehistoric structures and a fulacht fiadh were discovered here and were later excavated by Eoghan Moore (Nos 1077, 03E0429; 1079, 03E0636, Excavations 2003) and Eamon Cotter (No. 1078, Excavations 2003, 03E0461). The fourth section was in the townland of Cappakeel, just south of New Inn Cross. A large number of scattered archaeological features, including a prehistoric ring-ditch, a linear medieval ditch, evidence of metalworking and remains of charcoal production, were uncovered and later excavated by Ros Ó Maoldúin (No. 1063, Excavations 2003, 03E0633) and Audrey Gahan (Cappakeel Site F1, 03E0603).

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