County: Laois Site name: CROSS (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/165, E2424
Author: Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 634472m, N 685425m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.918552, -7.487411
This site was excavated in September 2006 as part of the programme of resolution of archaeological sites on the route of the proposed M7 Portlaoise to Castletown/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill motorway scheme. The work was carried out on behalf of Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority.
This site consisted of a fulacht fiadh, which had two associated troughs. The burnt spread measured c. 25m and had a depth of 0.5m. The first trough had an oval cut and measured 2.21m by 1.62m by 0.52m in depth and was cut into a natural spring. It was filled with heat-shattered sandstone and contained unworked timber fragments. The second trough was rectangular in shape and measured 1.73m by 2.4m by 0.35m in depth. It was filled with redeposited natural and heat-shattered sandstone.
Samples from this site are currently undergoing analysis.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
