Fulacht fia

The National Monuments Service's description

Located in lowlying flat, reclaimed pastureland. This fulacht fia was discovered during archaeological monitoring of the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme (2001-2002) and was subsequently fully excavated (01E0966) (Guinan 2015, 90-99; 101-103, Fallakeeran I). It had been heavily disturbed in the recent past. It consisted of a low subcircular mound (3.5m N–S; 5m E–W; max. D 0.4m) of burnt sandstone in a charcoal-rich matrix, which rested on a layer of peat. A possible trough, consisting of a subcircular cut (1m by 1.2m; D 0.2m) with a shallow concave profile, was found beneath the main body of the mound. A second possible trough, subcircular (0.95m by 0.8m) with steep sides and a flat base, was found under an isolated deposit of burnt stone, 7m to SE. It was truncated on the SE edge by a modern water pipe. Eight flint flakes and blades, a chert core-scarper, and three fragments of animal bones (two cattle, one possible pig) were recovered. A charcoal sample submitted for radiocarbon analysis produced a date (3925 +/-45 BP (2500-2280 BC) indicating activity at the site in the Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age. Another fulacht fia (MA112-113----) was located 150m to SW. (Guinan 2015, 90-99; 101-103).

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.