Souterrain

The National Monuments Service's description

In a tillage field, located on a low elevation in hilly terrain.
This souterrain was discovered in April 2019 when a stone roof lintel was dislodged during ploughing. The surface opening (1.7n NW-SE; 1m NE-SW), created by the collapse of the roof lintel, revealed a roughly circular chamber (diam. 3m; H 2.5-3m), constructed of a well-built drystone wall comprising small to medium-sized stones. The chamber walls are corbelled, giving the chamber a bee-hive shape in profile. Due to safety concerns, it was not possible to enter the chamber, but a small lintelled opening was visible in the wall at N; this may be a recess/cupboard or it may mark a very small creepway-type entrance to a passage. The displaced lintel was visible lying on the floor of the chamber. The surface open to the chamber has been covered and sealed to protect the souterrain.

Attached images:
DG070-082----_01.JPG Surface opening caused by collapse of roof slab.
DG070-082----_02.JPG Drystone wall of circular chamber.
DG070-082----_03.JPG Arrow points to small opening in N side of chamber; collapsed roof lintel visible on floor of chamber.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 16 April 2019