Road - class 1 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (L 29.4m min.; Wth 3.85m; D 1.44m) was orientated N-S but veered NNW-SSE towards its S end. It consisted of up to five layers of brushwood, roundwood, twigs and timbers, though none of the layers could be continuously traced from N-S. Some structural differences were noted among the layers. A poorly preserved hurdle, laid with rods orientated NE-SW, was incorporated into the N end of Layer 2. It had four sails and appeared to be of double-layer construction with 48 rods woven around the sails. Approximately 100 pegs (diam. 0.03-0.08m; av. L 0.36m) were located throughout the togher. Its width varied considerably along its length and between the different layers: at both ends it had an average width of 1.5-2m, however, in the central part this increased to 4m. The central area was probably the least well structured part of the togher and much of the wood was fragmentary and set at angles, as if disturbed. With the exception of the N end, which was heavily degraded due to an adjacent large drain, the general condition of the wood was good. Over 1,300 worked ends, cut with both bronze and iron tools, were recovered. Fifty split timbers, including tangential, radial, half and quarter splits, were also recovered. In advance of radiocarbon dating two pieces of ash and a single piece of hazel were identified.
The togher yielded ten wooden artefacts, including portions of alder vessels, an ash wheel-rim fragment, possible tool handles and a possible walking stick or switch. A polishing stone was recovered from the topsoil just above it. Another togher (LF004-019----) abutted its central area on its W side and it is possible that the junction of these two monuments was a platform area. Almost directly opposite this, a further togher (LF004-012----) appeared to abut its E edge. Another togher (LF004-018----) lay c. 1.5m W of its S extent and a possible structure (LF004-031----) lay 5m to its N. Another togher (LF004-034----) underlay the S end. A series of radiocarbon and dendrochronological dates were obtained from the various layers as follows: Layer 1: 750-390 cal BC (Wk-25204) and 730-230 cal BC (Wk-20198); Layer 3: 1110 BC ± 9 years or later (Q11029) and 1096 BC ± 9 years or later (Q11028); Layer 4: 1410-1210 cal BC (Wk-25202) (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 22-5, EDC 12/13).

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.