Structure - peatland

The National Monuments Service's description

This site was recorded in the 2013 Re-assessment survey as a hurdle panel, partially exposed in section in the drain face 0.12m below the field surface (Whitaker 2014).

A single cutting was opened and excavated under licence 14E0291. The site was situated in Sphagnum peats. A fragment of ash was chosen for AMS dating and returned a date of cal. 1210–1022 BC (UBA 26623).
The excavated site consisted of a N-S oriented hurdle togher. It was composed of E-W orientated sails (max. L2.06m), with N-S orientated woven and tightly packed rods (max. L2.7m, W1.1m). The sails were regularly placed and occurred singly and sometimes in pairs. Additional elements were exposed on the opposing field surface to the SE. Eighteen worked ends were noted, all of which were simple chisel points with slightly concave facets. The identified wood species were ash and hazel.

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 28/02/2020

References

Whitaker, J. 2017 Final Excavation Report, Toar, Co. Westmeath (14E0278–14E0296). Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.