2006:1187 - Portlaoise Main Drainage Scheme, Gorteen and Borris Little, Laois

Excavation work associated with the Portlaois main drainage scheme was monitored in May 2005, especially in greenfield areas. Three areas of archaeological potential were identified that required resolution. Two features were identified as fulachta fiadh in Gorteen townland on 26 May 2006, with a further possible fulacht fiadh identified in Borris Little townland on 1 June 2006. Both townlands are located to the north of Portlaoise town. No other areas of archaeological significance were discovered during the monitoring of the remaining scheme.
Two of the sites – Gorteen 1 and Borris Little 1 – showed some of the classic features associated with burnt-mound sites. In addition to the mound of heat-shattered stone in blackened soil, they also contained subrectangular trough-like features, with post-holes suggesting a timber lining of the trough at Borris Little 1. They also contained irregular-shaped cut features, possible pits, secondary troughs or possible water reservoirs; it is unclear what their precise function is. The variety and nature of features and the size and area of the mound material varies greatly from site to site, so it is only through further research and excavation of these sites that these features may be properly understood. There is little that can be said of the site at Gorteen 2, as only the edge of the trough extended into the pipeline corridor.
Both Gorteens 1 and 2 are adjacent to a water supply with the river immediately to the east. There is no obvious present-day water source for Borris Little 1 and the site is not obviously boggy or wet. However, it became apparent during the excavation – which was carried out during a very hot and dry spell of weather in June – that many of the pits and gullies filled with water following excavation. This suggests a very high water table, so there were possibly springs or pools evident in the area in prehistory.
There were no finds from any of the three sites, nor was there any evidence for animal bones within the fills of the features or in the mound material, so again there are burnt-mound sites which yield little for further analysis. Samples were taken from each site, however, and it is intended to process these with a view to obtaining 14C dates for each site and possible further environmental analysis should suitable material be identified during processing.