House — Neolithic in Tankardstown South

The house had eight main structural posts. Six of these were set into the foundation trench, one at each corner, and one midway along each of the long sides of the trench. The latter were set on a line with a pair of interior post holes. Thus, the four central, structural posts ran mid-way across the short axis of the house. Only one other internal post hole was noted in the northeast corner of the house. This may have been associated with the entrance or subsidiary roof support in this corner of the house. The archaeological remains showed that the house had been destroyed by fire. This was indicated by heavy oxidation of the trench sides and the presence in the fill of the trench and post holes of a high concentration of charred material, much of it disturbed. During excavation, concentrations of charcoal displaying a vertical grain were noted and sampled. Three of these have been identified as Quercus. This appears to indicate that the house may have been built of split oak planks. Identification of further samples of charcoal removed from the trench fill is to be carried out. One of the two main internal post holes yielded a cache of charred grain, some of which has been identified as emmer wheat. Evidence for the position of a possible hearth site occurred as a concentration of slightly oxidised clay in the centre of the house between the two main interior posts. The entrance appeared to be placed at the north side of the house and was only indicated by a deposit in the trench of primary, unburnt backfill 1.20m wide. Finds include a range of small fragments of Western Neolithic pottery, several flint implements including a fine, lozenge-shaped arrowhead, and a number of quartz implements and struck fragments. All the animal bone found on the site was severely burnt. It is unlikely that these remains were burnt in a domestic refuse context. Also it was clear during excavation that the bone fragments had not been burnt in situ within the foundation trench. It may therefore indicate some sort of ritualised deposition during the construction of the house. Compiled by: Christine Grant Date of upload/revision: 9 October 2019