2005:913 - SHANBOE (1), Laois

Testing was carried out before the construction of the M7 Portlaoise–Castletown/M8 Portlaoise–Cullahill motorway scheme. In March 2005, during centre-line testing of Contract 2, Testing Area 14, carried out by Linda Clarke, three features of archaeological significance were identified in Field 460 (Plot 106) (see No. 912, Excavations 2005). The site was designated Shanboe 1 and was excavated between 10 August and 9 September. An area measuring 40m by 25m was stripped of topsoil by mechanical excavator to a depth of c. 0.4m.

Excavation of the site revealed the remains of a burnt mound, measuring c. 25m (east–west) by c. 15m and up to 0.5m deep, situated on a gentle north-facing slope above a boggy plain. A trough was located in the north-east quadrant of the mound. The feature measured 4.5m long (north-east/south-west) by 3.5m and 1.06m deep. The fill contained some randomly deposited timber fragments. The remains of post-and-wattle lining were found around part of the edge of the trough. Most of the timber elements comprising the lining structure were removed in antiquity before the trough was backfilled. A great many stake-holes were scattered around the south-western side of the trough, suggesting light timber screening associated with the operation of the trough. Stake-holes were also found around the edge of a shallow cut adjacent to the trough. Another substantial cut was located in the centre of the mound, measuring 2.73m long (north–south) by 2.1m wide and up to 0.4m deep. The cut probably housed a light timber structure, partially delineated by a number of surviving stake-holes. There were a number of other less substantial pits present on the site.

The archaeological material represents the levelled remains of an ancient cooking site, or fulacht fiadh. A late Neolithic chert arrowhead was found in a grey/brown clay deposit on the western margin of the burnt mound.

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