2025:108 - Lehaunstown Lane, Laughanstown, Dublin

A site off Lehaunstown Lane in the northeast of Laughanstown townland was tested in 2023 (Giacometti, Licence No. 23E0771, Excavations Ref. 2023:684). It was monitored under the current licence in 2024 with archaeology being identified. The site was subsequently excavated, with the excavation running from October 2024 to January 2025.

It revealed a complex of burnt mounds that appeared to represent a prolonged or recurring occupation of the site. Four distinct burnt mounds were excavated with a total of nine troughs, three metalled work surfaces and multiple associated features. A contemporary water management system was also identified consisting of two ditches that ran through the centre of the site, diverting water away from the burnt mounds and down slope toward the Loughlinstown River to the east. Three of the burnt mound were supplied with water from six large wells, one of which contained two preserved timber planks. The planks were of a similar length to a nearby formerly wood-lined trough and may be related. The base of a timber post was also identified in a post-hole relating to one of the burnt mound sites. The wells and water management ditches were not identified during the monitoring programme as they were sealed by archaeological deposits. The fourth burnt mound was downslope to the east and not associated with a well. It was close to the edge of the wetlands within the Loughlinstown River valley, which would have served as a convenient water supply.

Metalled work surfaces were identified associated with the three burnt mounds to the west. During the monitoring programme it was believed this surface was continuous, however once the overlying burnt spreads were reduced the surfaces were found to be unconnected, serving the individual burnt mound sites. An additional surface was uncovered west of one of the burnt mounds, expanded into a yard and associated with a number of pits. The monitoring has also suggested the metalling continued as a trackway to the east. This was found not to be the case, with the gravels exposed here being natural at the base of a former stream course.

Three small possible cremation pits were also identified in the vicinity of the burnt mounds, two of which were associated with ceramics.

A small number of lithics, a coarse stone tool and prehistoric ceramic were among the finds retrieved from the burnt mounds and surrounding features. A bronze palstave axe-head was also retrieved during the monitoring programme. These finds along with the features identified on the site suggest the archaeology dates to the Bronze Age. Radiocarbon and dendrochronoligcal dates are being sought.

The post-medieval trackway in the south-east corner of the site with possible links to the late 18th-century military camp (DU026-127) was also excavated. Several finds were recovered from the surface of this trackway including copper alloy buttons and a pin and numerous iron finds. The trackway continued beyond the limit of excavation to the south and the east.

A small area of the site to the northwest is to be resolved in the future once a modern septic tank and associated services are removed.