Road - class 1 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (L 32.5m min.; Wth 3.6m; D 1.3m) was orientated approximately N‑S, but extended in a gradual 'S' shape with a distinct turn to the E at its N end and one to the W at its S end. It consisted of two layers but a third layer was evident at its N end. The layers were composed of longitudinal roundwood (diam. 0.06-0.15m; L 0.6-2.5m), split timbers (Wth 0.1m), longitudinal and transverse brushwood (diam. 0.01-0.06m; L 0.2-2.5m) and twigs, and they exhibited several different construction methods. Ten pegs (av. L 1.1m) were located at either side of the togher, set at angles of 45‑90°. Three of these were found within the basal layer at the extreme N end, where one measured 2.8m in length. Overall the wood in the togher was in an excellent condition and a very high number of well‑preserved metal‑cut toolmarks were recovered throughout it. In its S part several of the pieces were burnt or charred at their worked end. Wood species included birch, ash, alder, hazel, willow, apple‑type, holly and oak.
The togher ran beyond the development footprint at its N end. It lay approximately 0.3m below another togher (LF004‑046‑‑‑‑), and peatland structures (LF004‑037‑‑‑‑ and LF004‑038‑‑‑‑) were situated c. 5m NW of its S end and 3.4m to its W respectively. The togher had a distinct slope from N to S. Eleven wooden artefacts were recovered from Layer 2 and these included a circular hazel hoop, part of vessel lid of alder, four pieces of hazel brushwood trained in a spiral formation, an alder block wheel portion, a piece of hazel brushwood with a dressed end, and a fragment of finely dressed yew wood. A carved perforated hazel handle and an alder trough were recovered from the very base of Layer 2. Radiocarbon and dendrochronological dating revealed date ranges of 1120 BC ±9 or later (Q11026) and 1206‑970 cal BC (Wk‑20961) (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 18‑19, EDC 5).

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 Unpublished report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.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.