Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On the S edge of Sligo town, located on level, well drained elevated ground, with commanding views to NW, and N−NE. There is a rath (SL014-125) 145m to NW, and a causewayed enclosure (SL014-282----) c. 400m to NW.
This enclosure was discovered during archaeological testing (licence no. 19E0775) carried out over four weeks in June 2020 in advance of a proposed residential development (Fitch et al. 2020).
Excavation of seven test trenches at this location produced evidence of a double-ditched, circular enclosure. The outer ditch (Wth c. 0.30m wide; D 0.25m deep) has a diameter of 49m, the inner ditch (Wth 2.50m; D 0.65 - 0.75) a diameter of c. 37m. The outer ditch may cut through earlier post holes or pits on the northern side of the enclosure. Two fragments of cremated bone, two pieces of chert debitage and small amounts of charcoal were recovered. A rounded nodule of granite/quartz was discovered on the surface of the inner ditch, amongst large stones in the centre of the ditch. A number of possible postholes and small pits were noted within and outside the enclosure; these were not excavated. The excavators conclude that the evidence points to extensive prehistoric activity, and posit that the double-ditched enclosure may be Neolithic in date. All archaeological features were surveyed. Following the completion of testing, the trenches were covered with a layer of permeable terram and backfilled. (Fitch et al. 2020).

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 16 November 2020

References

Fitch N., Wallace, A. and Colmenar, M. 2020 Report on Archaeological Testing For Proposed Development, Caltragh, Sligo. Licence No. 19E0775. Planning Ref: 19/269. Atlantic archaeology, July 2020. Unpublished report submitted to National Monuments Service.