House

A possible Neolithic house (L 5m; Wth 4.5m; oriented E-W) excavated in 2006 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Road Scheme (Licence no. E3014). Shallow slot-trenches at S, E and N were excavated with post-holes making up the W wall enclosing an internal area of c. 22.5m square. A large pit with a post-hole in the base formed the SE corner while a second similar feature was located to the N, external to the structure. Some shallow internal features represented an internal division and an external charcoal-rich hearth was recorded to the E of the external wall. 79 sherds of Early Neolithic carinated bowls from 11 vessels were found as well as a lithic assemblage of 62 pieces suggesting an Early/Middle Neolithic date. Radiocarbon determinations dated the structure to 3710-3530 cal BC (Poz-25475). A series of shallow roasting and refuse pits c. 20m to the N produced a similar series of dates and there were many other pits both within and outside the possible house. A date of 2880-2580 cal BC (Poz-26462) from a large pit at the centre of the site may indicate a later phase of activity. (Monteith 2009, 269-70, no. 1050; Monteith 2010) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 21 October 2013