Structure - peatland

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in the industrial peatlands of Daingean South Bog. It was first recorded in the 2013 Reassessment Peatland Survey as a single tool-marked brushwood (Diam. 0.03m, L0.022m) located in a drain face 0.13m below the field surface (Whitaker 2014). On excavation in 2014 (licence 14E0308) it was interpreted to be a peatland structure. It was dated to cal. AD 1276-1389 (UBA 26598).

A single cutting, measuring 3x2m, was opened. Very little overlying peat remained. The structure consisted of three machine-damaged roundwoods, an associated brushwood, and two short pegs, orientated NE-SW. The elements were irregularly shaped and covered an area measuring 1.48x0.79m. A single chisel point with flat faceted toolmarks was noted. The species identified from three brushwood elements were birch and pomoideae. The site was underlain by poorly humified Sphagnum peat with moss and fibrous plant matter (Whitaker 2017).

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 26 February 2020

References

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 Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.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. 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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.