County: Laois Site name: CAPPAKEEL 3
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 03E1724
Author: Jonathan Dempsey, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Charcoal-making site and Pit
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 655223m, N 704908m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.091911, -7.175540
Cappakeel 3 was identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping undertaken as part of the main construction phase of the M7 Heath–Mayfield Motorway Scheme (No. 1051, Excavations 2003, 03E0623). The features uncovered consisted of a charcoal-manufacturing kiln, two pits and a levelled tree bole.
The kiln was subrectangular in shape with rounded corners and measured 1.55m north-north-west/south-south-east by 1.2m east–west by 0.15m deep. The base of this kiln was heavily oxidised. This layer of oxidisation was overlain by a charcoal-rich fill and a layer of backfill. Subcircular in shape, the first pit measured 1.2m north–south by 0.85m by 0.42m deep. Six fills were identified, including layers of ash, heavily oxidised sandy silt and charcoal. The second pit was subcircular in shape and measured 1.35m north-north-east/south-south-west by 0.7m north-west/south-east by 0.32m deep. The tree bole was a large irregular feature measuring 2.2m north-north-west/south-south-east by 1.7m east–west with a very irregular base and sides. Moderate quantities of slag were recovered from this feature and the upper fills consisted of ash and charcoal-rich sandy silt, while the lower fills consisted of a sterile, stiff, clayey silt. It is likely that the fills were dumped into this feature to level it.
These features were probably associated with the archaeological complex identified and resolved by Audrey Gahan (03E0603) and Ros Ó Maoldúin (No. 1063, Excavations 2003, 03E0633).
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
