Burnt mound

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on an east-facing slope of a field to the north of a tributary of the River Swilly. In 2004 a burnt mound was discovered at this location during monitoring of works associated with the Letterkenny sewerage improvement scheme. The burnt mound was subsequently fully excavated (04E1473). The site presented as a deposit of charcoal-stained clay with much burnt stone. The main concentration of burnt material was a maximum of 5m long and 3m wide. The original mound had been disturbed as a result of agricultural activity and only the lower part survived, to a depth of 0.05-0.18m. This overlay fine grey sand with some charcoal. Agricultural activity had resulted in the deposition of burnt material to the east of the main mound. There was no evidence for a hearth associated with the burnt mound and no finds were recovered. Samples of charcoal indicated that wood four tree species was used: hazel, alder, holly and willow. A post medieval field drain was uncovered 8m to the east of the burnt mound. (McQuade 2007, 81).

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 8 September 2015

References

McQuade, M. 2007 Conwal Burnt Mound. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2004: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 251. Dublin. Wordwell.. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2004: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 81 (no. 390). Dublin. Wordwell.