2007:1015 - AR131, Shankill, Kilkenny

This site was located within the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme along Contract 2, Phase 4B, Knocktopher to Powerstown, and contained the remnants of a prehistoric structure. The significant features of the structure were two east–west linear gullies. They were both c. 1.7m long and were spaced 0.5–1.5m apart. It was possible to identify up to five post-holes within each gully; both gullies widened into a 0.5m-diameter pit at their western ends. These pits were 0.3m deep and perhaps supported posts. The gullies and these pits were filled with dark-brown/black clayey silts. They were possibly the entrance passage to a structure that has virtually not survived. Two small shallow pits were found 7m to the west of the gullies. These were possibly part of the structure. One contained a flint scraper. A post-hole with a diameter of 0.33m and depth of 0.13m was located equidistant between the two pits and the gullies. This may have held a centre post. A pair of stake-holes and an oval-shaped pit rich in charcoal were also found within a 3.5m diameter of the centre post-hole. A large pit measuring 2.4m by 1.7m by 0.7m deep was found 4m north-west of the structure. It contained a pile of stones that almost appeared to be deliberately placed in concentric rings around a large stone at the southern end of the pit. No finds were recovered from this pit.