Structure

The National Monuments Service's description

This possible structure, identified as Structure 6, was one of three located in the very exposed central section of Cutting 1; see also Structure 3 (GA110-039017-) and Structure 4 (GA110-039018-). This example, like Structure 3, consisted of a substantial stone-lined post-hole, which may have supported a roof. A zone of paving lay to its SW. The post-hole (0.6m by 0.58m; D up to 0.35m) was pentagonal in plan and four of its five sides were lined with uprights; a collapsed stone on the S side may have closed off the remaining side. The fill consisted of tightly packed rubble and organic clays. Four contiguous flagstones were wedged against the chocking stones on the S side. To the W of these a kerb of flagstones was revetted by three large blocks. An intermittent paved surface (5.2m E-W; c. 4m N-S) petered out a short distance from the enclosing wall at W. At its E end it underlay a spread of rubble. The surviving sections varied from a linear arrangement of single stones at the E end to a dispersed scatter at the W end (Cotter 2012, vol. 1, 338-41, 357). This structure, together with Structure 3 and Structure 4, is most likely of prehistoric date but not necessarily of Late Bronze Age date (ibid., vol. 2, 246, 248).

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 23 June 2020

References

Cotter, C. 2012 The western stone forts project. Excavations at Dún Aonghasa and Dún Eoghanachta. 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd.