What is recorded here

Under the future M1 motorway in County Louth, more than one hundred and fifty pits and post-holes reveal a long sequence of human life. One wide pit held one hundred and twenty-seven beaker sherds from at least thirty pots beside a complete barbed and tanged arrowhead, suggesting both feasting and conflict. Another stone-lined pit mixed pottery, an arrowhead and burnt bone, while nearby holes preserved urn fragments and flints. The density of marks implies repeated occupation, although the thin remaining evidence prevents a clearer account.

Discovered prior to construction of the M1 motorway (Excavation Licence No. 00E0535, Areas F and G). Over 150 features were excavated including pits, post-holes and linear features. One pit (1.7m x 1.2m; D 0.2m) contained 127 sherds of beaker pottery representing at least 30 pots along with one complete and part of a barbed and tanged arrowhead. A stone lined pit (0.45m x 0.45m; D 0.22m) contained a sherd of beaker pottery, a barbed and tanged arrowhead and burnt bone fragments. Another pit (1.1m x 0.3m; D 0.12m) contained a potsherd possibly from an urn. A number of other pits were discovered containing pottery dating to the Bronze Age and flints. The number of features uncovered is large but stratigraphy is scant. Neolithic and Bronze Age habitation and burial activities are mainly indicated but there are also some hints of a medieval and early modern presence. With further work a clearer picture may be established. (Duffy 2002, 231-2) Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 26 June 2013

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