Road - class 1 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

The composition and structure of this togher (L 14.5m; Wth 2-6m; D 1.01m; min.), orientated N-S, changed frequently along its length. In general, the W edge was quite well defined while the E edge was more haphazard. It consisted of four layers composed of brushwood, roundwood, split timbers and twigs and structural differences were evident between the layers. The wood was laid up to twenty pieces deep and was generally in very good condition with up to 60% bark remaining. Almost 600 worked pieces, which were most likely worked with iron axes, were recovered. Twenty-six split timbers, in good condition, had been variously converted to half, quarter, radial, tangential and alternative splits. The fragmentary remains of a hazel withy were recovered from the upper layers and a split-ash timber with six rectangular notches and thirteen dowels was recovered from the lower layers. Fifteen to twenty pegs were noted.
Towards its N end, beneath the fourth layer, there was a dense deposit of c. 75 pieces of brushwood (0.04-0.05m), laid up to eight pieces deep, the majority of which were laid at angles of 0-30º. Along the edges of this deposit were eleven pieces of small brushwood set at angles of 60-90º. The overall sense was of a crude upright structure. To the S of this feature, beneath the uppermost layer, the elements became noticeably heavier and were composed predominantly of large brushwood and roundwood (diam. 0.07-0.12m; L 2.26m max.). Close to its S terminus the togher merged with another togher (LF004-029----), which was orientated E-W, and the longitudinals of it became indistinguishable from the transverses of the latter togher. This area contained a total of twelve roundwoods (diam. 0.07-0.12m; L 1.1m max.), orientated E-W, at angles of 5-30º that sloped downwards to the E. Perpendicular to these were approximately seven roundwoods. This area also contained haphazardly placed pegs, brushwood and small pieces of split wood.
Beyond the junction with the other togher (LF004-029----), the basal layer of the togher continued for a length of 3.4m and was composed of two transverse roundwoods (L 1.5m and 2.3m) which sloped to the E at 20º. These underlay longitudinal brushwood and small roundwood that very densely laid and up to six pieces deep.
At the NW edge of the togher there was a small, structurally distinct area, consisting of five pieces of worked brushwood (diam. 0.03-0.04m; L 0.8-1.6m), orientated E W. These were closely laid at their W ends and then diverged until the E ends of the two outermost elements were 1m apart. Beneath these was a dense bed of small brushwood and twigs laid both parallel and perpendicular to the overlying brushwood. This deposit was three to four pieces deep and contained c. 265 pieces of brushwood and c. 100 twigs. The vast majority of material in this deposit was unworked, which stood in contrast to the rest of the togher where c. 70% of the pieces had toolmarks.
Another togher (LF004-012----) abutted or merged with the W edge of this togher. Two platforms (LF004-004---- and LF004-020----) lay 0.7m and 1m to its S respectively, and both are thought to have been associated with separate phases of the togher. The base of the togher lay 0.32m above the SE end of another togher (LF004-034----). At its N extent the togher extended beyond the development footprint. Structures (LF004-005---- and LF004-047-----) lay 0.35m above the ENE edge of its upper layers.
A piece of willow from the uppermost layer was radiocarbon dated to 350-20 cal BC (Wk 25199), while a piece of hazel from the basal layer was radiocarbon dated to 970 800 cal BC (Wk-25201) (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 15-16, 32-4, EDC 1b/29).

Compiled by: Mary Tunney based on data kindly supplied by Caitríona Moore.

The attached image is copyright and uploaded courtesy of CRDS Ltd.

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

Moore, C. and O'Connor, D.J. 2009a N4 Dromod Roosky bypass. Advance archaeological works contract. Edercloon. Final report, archaeological excavation. CRDS Ltd. Unpublished report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Licence no. A31-025/E3313.