2008:1155 - Oldtown, Tipperary

Testing at a site in Oldtown, Templemore, in late 2007 identified burnt-mound deposits and a linear ditch on the site of a proposed cattle shed and associated works (Excavations 2007, No. 1708). Further monitoring and excavation was conducted on the site on 14–16 July 2008. An area measuring 880m2 across the footprint of the proposed development was stripped using a mechanical excavator.
A fulacht fiadh, including a trough and a small possible roasting pit, were identified within an area measuring 56m2. The mound material measured 5m east–west by 3.2m wide and was 40–60mm deep. This deposit was greatly disturbed at its northern and eastern sides by earlier machine activity. There were no finds retrieved from this deposit. The subrectangular trough was 2.07m east–west, 1.49m wide and 0.66m deep. Three deposits were noted within this trough. The organic component (wood lining) was in a poor state of preservation and no finds were retrieved from any of the deposits.
A shallow, probable roasting pit (1m long north-east/south-west by and 0.9m) was excavated 3m to the west of the trough. The single fill comprised mainly heat-affected sandstones, which accounted for 70% of the deposit.
A north–south-orientated ditch with gradual sides and a flat base was encountered at the eastern part of the site. It was on average 1.2m wide east–west by 4m long and 0.3m deep. The single fill was a loose greyish-brown silty clay with frequent root inclusions throughout.
An east–west-orientated modern drain was identified adjacent to and extending beyond the western site limit. It had gradual sides and a flat base and measured 5m long east–west by 1.5m wide and 0.1m deep. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered from its single deposit.