2024:313 - Knocknacran East and West, Carrickmacross, Monaghan

The test excavation was carried out between 14-25 November 2024 at Drummond Mine, Knocknacran East and West, Co. Monaghan. Trenches were placed to investigate geophysical anomalies detected in August 2024 (24R0358). A total of 100 test trenches measuring 2308 linear metres was excavated across the 31 fields (24.5ha). Several constraints (land access issues, boggy land and unexpected fences & roadways) resulted in a total of 2308 linear metres being excavated instead of the proposed 2575m.

For the most part the geology of the area (subsoil C2) varied significantly from reddish-brown marly clay to patches of gravel or stones, with small or large patches of grey clay. The low-lying boggy areas had a waterlogged grey clay with occasional stone patches. Topsoil (C1) was, on average, shallower at the top of the hills than the base. Topsoil comprised a waterlogged brown silty clay with occasional stones. Across the site, even on the hills, this was waterlogged and reedy which lead to many drains being uncovered across the site.

Many of the geophysical anomalies which were encountered were investigated and were found to be variations in subsoil and/or non-archaeological. Most of the features encountered were modern and related to agricultural activities, in particular drainage. Three old field boundaries were recorded (7, 41, 71). These are noted on the 1st edition OS map but not on the subsequent editions. The original townland boundary ditch (C19) was recorded in Trenches 24 & 25. It was noted on 1st edition OS Map (1837) but has been rerouted along the new field boundary hedge line by 3rd Edition 1888-1915 map. Four old stone/metalled surface or roadways were recorded (50, 70, 78, 88), some of which can be seen on historical mapping.

Two features, C40 and C87, were deemed archaeological. A pit of heat-cracked and -reddened stones within a gritty blackish-blue gritty silt (C40) was encountered in Trench 37. It measured 4m north-south x 2m wide x min 0.25m deep. The trench was extended to find the limits of the feature. It is likely this feature represents a pit or trough associated with a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh (Anomaly 17-11). No additional features were discovered despite the trench being extended around the feature.

A large mound of heat-cracked and heat-reddened stone in a gritty black silty matrix (C87) was recorded in Trenches 98 & 99; it is likely to represent a burnt mound/fulacht fiadh. Additional Trench 100 was excavated to determine the width of this feature. The feature measures 16m north-west/south-east x 17m. A narrow section excavated shows the mound to be minimum 0.25m deep with part of  a possible trough visible, although the area quickly filled with water and was not bottomed. Grey patches and pits associated with the burnt mound/fulacht fiadh material (C87) were encountered in Trench 98 (82, 83, 84, 85, 86).