Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (min. L 2.8m; Wth 2.4m; D 0.15m), orientated N-S, was composed of predominantly transverse brushwood (diam. 0.015-0.04m) and roundwood (diam. 0.09-0.1m) with occasional longitudinal elements, which were overlain by and interspersed with a dense layer of fragmentary twigs, bark and leaves. Four pegs, set at angles of 45-90º, were placed randomly throughout. The average length of the pieces was 0.3-1m but a small number of longitudinal elements measured up to 2m in length. The density of the elements varied due to severe truncation by peat-cutting; in the S and central areas it was up to four elements deep, while the N extent, although predominantly composed of roundwood, was sparser. The togher was also truncated lengthwise and its original width was unknown. Woodworking was evidenced by metal-cut toolmarks throughout and the species used included birch, apple-type, hazel, ash alder and oak. The wood was in a poor to moderate condition and some pieces appeared to have been cut and damaged during peat-cutting. Additional evidence of disturbance included redeposited sods of turf and the recovery of a modern miraculous medal from the peat above the togher. The togher was located 0.4m above another togher (LF004-040----) and 10m NE of a structure (LF004-031----). Radiocarbon dating revealed a date range of 2200-1920 cal BC (Wk-20955) and O’Connor (Moore 2009a, 38-9, EDC 38).

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

Date of upload: 26 August 2011