Urn burial in Aghoney

An urn containing 'small broken bones', was found underneath a flat slab.(JRSAI 1849-51, 139). Described by Daniel Byrne in 1851 as 'About twenthy years ago, a farmer named Terence Byrne, still living - a man of much intelligence - on removing a large flat stone which lay in one of his fields, situate on a high hill in the townland of Aghoany, and parish of Fossy, or Timahoe, discovered a rude pavement, beneath and earthen Urn containing small broken bones and brown dust. The urn he stated to have been capable of containing about two quarts of liquid, and to have been rudely ornamented on the outside. There was no chamber formed for its reception, neither was it covered by a flag' (JRSAI 1849-51, 139) . The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Urn burial; likely dates to the Bronze Age. Such burials are significant for understanding early funerary practices and cremation rituals in the region.