The remains of a Bronze Age burial pit have been discovered in Co Longford.
The find was made by Irish and American university archaeological students near the town of Granard.
A four-week dig at the site - long-believed to be the location of a 12th century town - linked the area to the much earlier Bronze Age.
A spokesman said artefacts uncovered in the area had confirmed the existence of a middle pit from that era that had been used for burials.
The site has now been covered, following completion of initial excavations, to deter sightseers and would-be treasure-hunters with metal-detectors.
The operation indicated the existence of up to 15 houses in the area, not far from a one-time ecclesiastical base.
The archaeologists, from universities in Florida and Galway, plan to return to the location next year to continue their assessment of its importance.
PA