Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on the N bank of a stream, at the interface between an area of peat at N and drier ground to S. 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, 29-31; 42-51, Cloonbulban II). It consisted of a low irregular-shaped deposit (2.28m E–W; 2.96m N–S; D 0.02-0.06m) of heat-shattered sandstone in charcoal-rich soil, which had suffered disturbance in the modern era. A subcircular trough (0.96m N–S; 1.1m E–W; D 0.44m), with steep sides and a flat base, was cut into the underlying boulder clay. Fifteen chert artefacts were recovered. A charcoal sample submitted for radiocarbon analysis produced a date in the Late Neolithic period: 3946 +/-46 BP (2580-2335 BC). Another fulacht fia (MA102-60----) was located 25m to W. (Guinan 2015, 29-31; 42-51).

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.