2003:1067 - CAPPAKEEL 4, Laois

This site was detected during monitoring of topsoil-stripping by Jonathan Dempsey (No. 1051, Excavations 2003, 03E0623) as part of the construction phase of the M7 Heath–Mayfield Motorway Scheme. It was subsequently excavated from 8 to 9 December 2003. Three features exposed were a charcoal pit, a disturbed kiln and an oblong pit. The charcoal pit was subcircular in shape and consisted of loose blue-black clay with occasional patches of redeposited natural, oxidised clay and approximately 10% charcoal. This feature measured 1.2m by 0.95m and reached a depth of 0.26m. The disturbed kiln was located approximately 17.5m south-west of the charcoal pit. It consisted of loose oxidised clay with approximately 5% charcoal. Only the very base of the kiln survived and it measured a maximum of 0.98m by 1.4m and reached a depth of 0.03m. The oblong pit was located 187m north-west of the charcoal pit. It measured 2.26m by 0.78m and reached a depth of 0.31m. Its fill consisted of compact grey-brown silty clay containing patches of charcoal in the centre and the eastern extent of the fill. The base of the feature was heavily oxidised. The cut for this feature was irregular and its sides were steep. There were no finds from any of these contexts and all were cut into natural. Further stripping in the adjacent area failed to identify any other archaeological features. These features are probably associated with the archaeological complex resolved by Audrey Gahan (03E0603) and Ros Ó Maoldúin (No. 1063, Excavations 2003, 03E0633).

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth