Burnt mound

The National Monuments Service's description

In lowlying, rush-grown pasture on the N shore of Templevanny Lough.
Visible as a very low, subcircular rise or mound (diam. c. 15m; H 0.3m), with an irregular, undulating sod-covered surface. The mound has a clearly defined sloping edge at E−S, but merges gradually with the surrounding ground elsewhere. A few large stones (max. dim. 0.2-0.3m) protrude from the surface on the NW edge. The mound feels firm and compact underfoot, which contrasts with the softer, damper surrounding ground. Probing revealed a concentration of limestone fragments in a dark, peaty soil. While it was unclear if the soil contained charcoal fragments, it appeared darker in colour to the peaty soil in the surrounding field. There are a number of shallow, surface dips or depressions, but none that could be interpreted with certainty as indicating the location of a trough. It is located 6m N of the current lake shore, but may have been closer to the water’s edge or even inundated in times past.
This may be the remains of a burnt mound. Or it may a lakeshore settlement feature; in this light it is interesting to note a crannog (SL040-147----) located on the W shore of the lake, 85m to SW. There is also a possibility that the mound relates to some more recent farming or land reclamation activity.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 6 July 2018