Hearth

The National Monuments Service's description

These hearths underlay the foundation levels of a Neolithic cairn (DG086-002001-), located on a low ridge at the NE end of Lough Mourne. They were discovered and fully excavated in 2011 during an archaeological excavation at the cairn undertaken in advance of the proposed development of a dam at Lough Mourne (Delaney 2013).
The hearths consisted of a cluster of charcoal spreads, shallow pits and a clay spread. A charcoal sample (hazel) from one hearth produced a C14 date of 3783-3659 BC (UBA 19994), and a sample from a second hearth produced a date of 3783-3659 (dates calibrated to two sigma). Six Neolithic flint artefacts, a single convex end scraper, a large retouched blade, and 4 flake fragments, were recovered from the clay spread. The hearths point to a phase of Neolithic activity on this low ridge that predates the construction of the cairn. (Delaney 2013, 8-9).
The excavation also uncovered several other monuments in close proximity to the Neolithic cairn (DG086-002001-), including a burnt spread (DG086-002005-), a pit (DG086-002006-), and a fulacht fia (DG086-002007-), all indicating that this location continued to be an important focus of activity throughout the Bronze Age. (Delaney 2013).

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 16 January 2018

References

Delaney, S. 2013 Final report of an archaeological excavation undertaken at Lough Mourne, Co. Donegal. For URS, on behalf of Donegal County Council. Licence no. 10E0309, 10R0103. April 2013. Unpublished report submitted to National Monuments Service.