Platform - peatland

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in the industrial peatlands of Clonad Bog. It was recorded in the 2013 Re-assessment Peatland Survey as four heavy roundwood elements located in the E part of the bog, and was exposed in section in the W-facing drain face of a former stockpile field (Whitaker 2014).

The site was excavated in 2014 (licence 14E0353). A single cutting measuring 2x3.5m was opened. Two additional oak roundwoods were exposed, orientated NE-SW. All six elements were closely placed and fairly uniform in shape and size, and were moderately well preserved. Multiple faceted concave toolmarks were noted at the SE extent of two of the elements. Two overlying brushwood elements were recorded at the SW extent of the cutting. The site was overlain and underlain by moderately decomposed Sphagnum peat containing much fibrous matter.

A fragment of oak plank was chosen for dendrochronological dating and returned a result of 1064 BC ± 9 (Q11606).

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 25 February 2020

References

Whitaker, J. 2016 Final Excavation Report, Clonad, Co. Offaly (14E0353–14E0355). Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.