Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on the N bank of a stream, at the interface between an area of peat and drier ground. This fulacht fia was discovered during archaeological monitoring of the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme (2001-2002) and was subsequently fully excavated (01E0681) (Guinan 2015, 29-42; 48-51, Cloonbulban I). The fulacht fia consisted of a low irregular-shaped mound (9m N–S; 11m E–W) of sandstone fragments in a matrix of charcoal-rich, peaty soil. The mound had suffered disturbance in the past and a field drain cut through the centre. Excavation revealed two troughs cut into the underlying boulder clay. At W, there was a subcircular trough (1.1m N–S; 1.32m E–W; D 0.42-0.48m) with a series of narrow, regularly spaced linear soil-filled features visible in the base, possibly the remnants of a decayed wooden lining. The second trough, which was located 5m to E, was partly destroyed by the field drain that cut through the mound. The surviving E portion (1.06m N–S; 1.14m E–W; D 0.48m) had steep sides and a flat base. Both troughs had a gully-like feature extending downslope from the edge of the cut, which possibly served as an overflow channel. Twenty five chert artefacts were recovered, including two concave scarpers. Five charcoal samples were submitted for radiocarbon dating. Three of the samples produced dates from the Early Bronze Age: 3502 +/-49 BP (1970-1698 BC); 3702 +/-42 BP (2273-1976 BC); 3454 +/-42 BP (1889-1680 BC). Two samples taken from the basal layer in the eastern trough produced dates indicating activity at the site in the Late Neolithic period: 3822 +/-42 BP (2459-2141 BC); 3892 +/-42 BP (2553-2281 BC). Another fulacht fia (MA102-061----) was located 25m to E. (Guinan 2015, 29-42; 48-51).

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.