Structure - peatland

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in the industrial peatlands of Daingean South Bog. It was recorded in the 2013 Reassessment Peatland Survey as a single plank exposed on the field surface near the drain edge (Whitaker 2014). From examination of the IAWU Survey (IAWU 2002) and the ADS excavation report (Whitaker and Turrell 2005) it seems likely that this site was part of an earlier recorded IAWU sighting (OF-RDM047) which was subsequently excavated by ADS under licence number 05E0557. The site was dated cal. AD 259-538 (UBA 26592).

A single cutting, measuring 4 x 2m, was opened for excavation in 2014 (licence 14E0301). The remains of the N-S orientated oak plank were fully exposed; the upper surface was machine-damaged. The wood measured 1.08 x 0.3m and had a depth of 0.07m. Three associated roundwood pegs were found alongside the plank, and were worked into chisel points with flat toolmarks. One of the pegs was a boxed squared split ash timber. No peat cover remained, but the site was underlain by poorly humified Sphagnum peat (Whitaker 2017).

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 25 February 2020

References

IAWU 2002 Archaeological Survey Report, Daingean Bog, Co. Offaly. Unpublished report commissioned by Duchas The Heritage Service.

Whitaker, J. 2014 Re‐assessment Peatland Survey 2013, Blackwater, Boora, Derrydreenagh, Mountdillon Group of Bogs, County Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon. Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.

Whitaker, J. 2017 Final Excavation Report, Daingean South, Co. Offaly (14E0300-14E0311). Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.

Whitaker, J. and Turrell, S. 2005 Excavations carried out in Daingean South Bog. Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.