At Corbally, Co. Kildare a group of three well-preserved early Neolithic houses was excavated during gravel pit development for Kilsaran Concrete Products Ltd.
The site was situated in gently rolling, rich pasture land at approximately 130m OD. The houses were uncovered during the course of monitoring topsoil stripping in advance of development. The archaeological deposits were initially apparent as charcoal-rich features sitting in subsoil. Complete excavation of all archaeological deposits was undertaken prior to development.
The three houses were located very close together, with houses 1 and 2 just 3m apart and house 3 approximately 12m from house 2. The remains of the houses were extremely well preserved. Prior to topsoil stripping in January 1998, very little disturbance had occurred. Several land drains had been dug in proximity to the site in the last century, but these had caused only minor disturbance.
Houses 1 and 2 were both trapezoidal in plan, while house 3 was subrectangular. The three houses were defined by large, substantial, continuous foundation trenches, which reached depths in excess of 1m. The interior of the houses was peppered with cut features, particularly in the case of houses 1 and 2, where several phases of activity were apparent. Post holes dominated the internal space, but stake holes, pits, hearths and slot trenches were also present. Similar external features were identified, although no external hearths were found.
Several very interesting similarities were apparent between the three houses, not least the very large scale of the foundation trenches. All three were constructed of vertical planks set between fairly regular posts, all were oriented northwest-southeast, the entrances to the houses were through the southeastern trenches and each house had a similar array of finds. The finds included pottery, typically 'Western Neolithic' round-bottomed shoulder bowls, and worked stone, including flint, chert and quartz. Granite saddle querns were also recovered, as well as a collection of serpentine beads.
