House — Neolithic in Russellstown

On the crest of a south-west-facing slope, partially excavated in advance of construction of the N9/N10 Kilcullen-Waterford Road (Excavation Licence number E2571/E2572). A substantial foundation trench was fully exposed on the W side (L 8.5m; Wth 0.55m; D 0.38m) and partially exposed on the N (L 3.5m) and S (L 6m) sides, while the whole of the east side was preserved in-situ outside of the road take. Split timber planks surrounded by packing stones were used to construct the walls and excavation uncovered large quantities of Western Neolithic Ware along with oxidised red clay and charcoal suggesting that the structure was burnt in-situ. Post-holes discovered in the foundation trench were aligned with two internal posts. A possible entranceway may have existed at the S and evidence for a hearth was uncovered in the N end. The house was surrounded by a curvilinear ditch (see CW003-029----). A large number of pits (CW003-032----), a cremation pit (CW003-033---) and evidence for charcoal production (CW003-034----) were discovered in the vicinity. (Hegarty L. 2009, 49-50) Reference: Hegarty L. (2009) 'Russelstown Neolithic house/multi-phase site' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 49-50 (206). Bray. Wordwell Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 10 November 2010