Burnt mound in Haynestown

Discovered during archaeological test trenching (Excavation Licence 01E0874). Sections of at least two ditches/gullies (LH012-064001- and LH012-064002-) were identified. Their function is unclear as no artefacts were recovered from them and only very small sections were excavated. Two distinct areas of burning were also identified (LH012-064003- and LH012-064004-). The first consisted of several small areas of burning in close proximity but it is not clear whether these represent the edge of a large archaeological burnt spread or are a non-archaeological deposit. The second spread consisted of charcoal, ash, burnt clay and heat shattered stone i.e. burnt mound material. The location of these two spreads close to a river and marshy areas suggests that they may have been part of fulachta fia. (Coughlan, 2001) Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 19 April 2012

A burnt mound in a prehistoric settlement context, likely dating to the Neolithic or Bronze Age. Its significance lies in providing evidence of early human activity and land use, though its exact function remains undetermined due to lack of artefacts.