Road - class 1 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (L 34m min.; Wth 3.3m; D 1.54m), orientated NE-SW, was composed of three to four layers consisting of split timbers, roundwood and brushwood; structural differences were evident between the layers. At its NE end it turned sharply W and in a gradually curving 'S'-bend joined with another togher (LF004-029----). This section was structurally distinct. Almost eighty pegs, seven stakes and three posts were recovered from the togher. These were set at angles of 45-90° and were positioned throughout the layers, often close to the edges. They did not, however, form a distinct pattern or appear to delineate the togher. Eighty-eight pieces of split wood or split timbers (L 0.059-2.46m) were used, including half, quarter, radial, tangential and irregular splits. Additional woodworking evidence included over 1,000 metal-cut toolmarks. This togher was one of the few sites in Edercloon to incorporate stones in its construction, three of which were found in the NE end. In general, the wood was in very good condition with bark remaining on a high proportion of the elements. Exceptions to this were the small pieces of split wood and split timbers in Layer 3, which were soft and degraded. Species present included hazel, alder, birch, holly, ash, apple-type, oak and yew.
The NE-SW section of this togher produced nine wooden artifacts, including a possible tool handle of hazel from Layer 1, the uppermost level. Layer 2 produced a piece of hazel brushwood trained in a spiral pattern, a willow mallet and a second piece of dressed hazel brushwood. Two yew spears, a two-piece mallet of hazel and apple-type, and a carved oak shaft with trimmed end were recovered from Layer 3. A second piece of hazel brushwood trained in a spiral pattern was recovered from among the woodworking samples. From the section of the togher which turned to the W, approximately half of a carved alder bowl was recovered. A further togher (LF004-023----) lay c. 0.15m above the central portion of this togher, and a platform (LF004-025----) lay c. 0.4m above its NE extent. Radiocarbon dating revealed a date range of 390-170 cal BC (Wk-20201) (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 29-31, EDC 26).

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

Date of upload: 26 August 2011