2005:914 - SHANBOE 2, 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 (see No. 912 above), four features of archaeological potential were identified in Fields 461–3 (Plots 106–7). The features were designated Shanboe 2 and were excavated between 5 and 6 September. Four areas (Cuttings 1–4) measuring 10m by 10m each were stripped of topsoil by mechanical excavator to a depth of c. 0.4m, one each in Fields 461 and 462 and two in Field 463.
Cutting 1 (Field 461) contained an isolated deposit of burnt stones with charcoal, measuring 1.85m (north–south) by c. 1.5m and 0.2m deep, lying in a depression in the surface of pale grey silty sand subsoil. Cutting 2 (Field 462) contained a fine deposit of pale grey silty sand with spots of charcoal and one or two fragments of burnt stone, measuring 1.45m (north–south) by 0.7m. The material lay directly on the surface of pale brown silty sand subsoil. Cutting 3 (Field 463) revealed a root bole measuring 0.4m by 0.31m and 0.17m deep, containing soft dark-brown silt. Cutting 4 (Field 463) contained an irregular feature measuring 2.4m (north–south) by 1.1m and up to 0.38m deep, with natural stones protruding from the base, and filled with grey/brown sandy silt. None of the material investigated in the Shanboe 2 cuttings was considered to be of archaeological significance.