2006:1185 - Parknahown 2, Laois

This site was excavated in February 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.
Topsoil-stripping exposed 23 features of archaeological significance. These features were located to the north-east of the site: an enclosure, a possible barrow/circular ditch, a kiln, two slot-trenches, nine post-holes grouped in two distinct clusters, a stake-hole, five pits of various shapes and sizes, a hearth, a figure-of-eight kiln and two grave-cuts. Only one grave contained a burial, that of an adult. Twenty-four sherds of Bronze Age pottery were recovered from a single pit.
The enclosure ditch had a diameter of 38.6m; it measured 2.56m wide and 0.86m deep. The stratification of the ditch fill suggested the feature was mostly infilled through natural silting and the dumping of organic and domestic waste. There were moderate inclusions of charcoal and animal bone scattered throughout and along the length of the ditch. It is probable that a stone wall existed internally beside the ditch. Distinct areas stand out: the north and south terminals both had a scattering of stone rubble located at the base of the ditch; there was one entrance to the enclosure on the west; and the enclosure had evidence of internal settlement in the form of a curvilinear slot-trench, a cluster of five post-holes and a subcircular shallow hearth.
A second slot-trench extended in a north-westerly direction from the northern terminal of the enclosure and turned east to enclose a possible ring-barrow/circular ditch. It measured 27.5m in length by 0.68m and 0.19m deep and was heavily truncated by modern activity and greatly disturbed by roots. The circular ditch was located to the north-west of the enclosure; it had an internal diameter of 9m and an exterior diameter of 12.5m and the base of the ditch was lined with stone. Internally, four shallow post-holes were located to the north, south, east and west.
To the east of the enclosure was a figure-of-eight-shaped kiln filled with a loose stone and soil deposit. It is possible it was used as a corn-drying kiln and was a typical keyhole-shaped example, consisting of a hearth and semicircular bowl connected by a flue; it measured 2.75m by 1.4m and was 0.61m deep.
Five pits were present on the site, most used as stone or domestic waste dumps; one pit contained 24 fragments of Bronze Age pottery. The skeleton of a single adult was found in a rectangular shallow grave. The grave and skeleton were orientated east–west and were probably Christian. The grave measured 0.75m by 1.95m and was 0.18m deep.
Although no formal analysis has yet taken place, it appears that some of the assemblage represents a Bronze Age date and some a Christian date. Radiocarbon dates for all the main features are pending and post-excavation work is ongoing.