Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in the industrial peatlands of Toar Bog. It was recorded in the 2013 Re-assessment Peatland Survey as a roundwood and brushwood togher visible in two locations on the field surface of the same production field (Whitaker 2014).

A single cutting was opened and excavated under licence 14E0286. A fragment of willow was chosen for AMS dating and returned result of AD 995–1153 (UBA 26614). The site was situated in Sphagnum peat with Eriophorum, Calluna and sedge inclusions. The main body of the site was 1.9–2.24m in width with some outlying elements, and was traced for a total of 10m on the field surface. It was composed of fairly densely laid, mainly N-S orientated brushwood and occasional roundwoods (max. L2.08m, Diam. 0.01-0.11m), many of which had intact bark. There were a variety of wood species present including alder, ash, birch, hazel, oak, pomoideae and willow. The elements were laid a maximum of two to three deep with lighter brushwood forming the underlying elements. Woodworking was noted on several elements the majority of which were either chisel or wedge shaped with flat facets. Some supporting pegs were noted.

The dating and composition of this site was similar to WM039-406, suggesting that they might form part of the one site.

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker/Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 02/03/2020

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 Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.