Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This togher (L 11m min.; Wth 2m; D 0.08m), orientated N-S, was composed predominantly of a single layer of transverse brushwood (av. diam. 0.04m; av. L 0.5m), roundwood (av. diam. 0.08m; L 0.2-2m) and twigs with occasional irregularly laid brushwood and roundwood. These elements were widely spaced with gaps of 0.3-0.7m between them, and only occasionally did pieces overlap. Intermittent pegs were placed at the edges and along the centre line of the togher. Along its E edge were occasional small to medium-sized stones. Natural wood and roots were present in the peat beneath the togher and were spread throughout the structure. In general the condition of the wood was good. Woodworking evidence included toolmarks of both metal and stone tools and the species identified included birch, hazel, ash, apple-type and elm. This togher lay at the N extent of the overall excavation in an area of bog extensively disturbed by peat-cutting. Another togher (LF004-036----) was situated 0.4m above it and followed the same line, and a possible structure (LF004-031----) lay 10m to its SW. Radiocarbon dating revealed a date range of 2870-2490 cal BC (Wk-20956) (Moore and O’Connor 2009a, 40-41, EDC 42).

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

Date of upload: 26 August 2011