Burnt spread

The National Monuments Service's description

Discovered through archaeological test excavation in association with the ‘N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge Road Project’ (Ministerial Direction No. A077; Registration No. E5231). In marginal pasture to E of partially cut-away bogland. A shallow (D 0.26m) irregularly shaped spread (L 15.9m; Wth 10.3m) of charcoal-rich soil and heat-shattered red sandstone was excavated. Charred wood macro-remains from the spread comprised ash, oak, hazel, holly and blackthorn/cherry.
The spread overlay a subcircular trough (diams. 0.98m; 0.94m) and a sample of alder charcoal from its fill returned a Late Bronze Age date of 1221–1016 cal. BC1 (UBA-47431; 2931±29BP). There was no evidence that the trough was lined. A small (diam. 0.1m) vertical stakehole was found c.0.2m NW of the trough and was interpreted as possibly serving to mark the location of the trough or to support a structure associated with its use.
No artefacts were found. The burnt spread continued to N (est. L c. 10-15m), outside the limits of the road-take, so its full extent was not ascertained. These remains survive in situ outside of the limits of the excavation.

Reference: Clare Mullins and Kevin Kearney 'N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Stage (iv) Final Report: Leggatinty 1’ (Unpublished, 2022).

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy based on information provided by Deirdre McCarthy.

Date of upload: 8 August 2023