Structure - peatland

The National Monuments Service's description

This site was located in the industrial peatlands of Toar Bog. It was recorded in the 2013 Re-assessment Peatland Survey as located in the same drain face and immediately above the northern extent of WM-TOR064f. It was composed of a thin layer of tightly packed light brushwood elements that appeared to be located in the base of a small pool (Whitaker 2014).

A single cutting was opened and excavated under licence 14E0295. A fragment of ash was chosen for AMS dating and returned a result of cal. 356–110 BC (UBA 26627). The excavated site measured 1.8–2.00m in width and 3.2m in length. It was situated in poorly humified Sphagnum pool peat. The structure was composed of a fairly dense arrangement of N-S orientated brushwood. The elements consisted of hazel, ash and alder, and were in a moderate to good condition. Three worked ends were noted and recorded. They were worked to chisel, wedge and a pencil point with flat facets. The site had no apparent form or structure, and it is possible that its purpose was to fill an open pool.

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 Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.