Burnt mound

The National Monuments Service's description

This burnt mound was discovered beneath a road during pipe laying on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme (2001-2002). It was recorded and sampled under licence 01E0314 (Guinan 2015, 104, 121-122). A layer (L 1.5m; T 0.09-0.2m) of burnt sandstone and charcoal was exposed in section c. 0.6m beneath the road surface on the E edge of the road. The route of the pipe was subsequently altered to avoid the monument which appeared to extend to E beyond the road verge. The full extent of the burnt mound could not be determined but it is estimated to measure c. 10-15m N–S by c. 5m E–W. A charcoal sample produced a radiocarbon date of 3516+/-41 BP (1963-1743 BC) which dates the site to the Early Bronze Age. (Guinan 2015, 121-122).

Compiled by: Jane O’ Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 3 March 2016

References

Guinan, B. 2015 On the plains of Mayo. Archaeological discoveries on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme Stage III: Claremorris-Knock-Ballyhaunis-Ballindine. Mayo County Council Archaeological Series 5. Castlebar.