Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (L 11m; Wth 4.6m; D 0.36m) was orientated NNW-SSE. At its NNW end widely spaced roundwood (diam. 0.065-0.11m; L 0.34-3m), irregular brushwood (diam. 0.015-0.055m; L 0.2 to 1.42m) and occasional timbers overlay brushwood, roundwood, small split timbers and twigs. This material was very irregularly laid with many pieces set at angles of 45-90°. As a result, this end of the togher did not have a flat or cohesive surface and its overall depth was exaggerated. Towards the SSE end the elements became more structured and consisted of longitudinal roundwood and brushwood, with occasional transverse roundwood and scattered irregular brushwood. These elements were closely and regularly laid, two to three pieces deep. A total of sixteen split timbers (L 0.167-2.3m) were used, including half, radial and tangential splits. Nineteen pegs set at angles of 40-90° were located, concentrated in the NNW portion where the irregular, angular position of many elements made their recognition and classification as pegs problematic. Overall the condition of the wood was good with metal-cut toolmarks present throughout. A variety of species were used in its construction, including birch, apple, willow, hazel, alder and yew. Radiocarbon dating revealed date ranges of 760-400 cal BC (Wk-20200) and 370-50 cal BC (Wk-25200). The NNW end of the togher lay 0.2-0.3m above the central portion of another togher (LF004-024----). A platform (LF004-025----) lay 5m to the SW (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 29, EDC 25).

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

Date of upload: 26 August 2011