1973:058 - CARROWNAGLOGH td, Mayo

Excavations were continued at Carrownaglogh in 1973. The primary objective was the uncovering, mapping and investigation of a large area of ridge cultivation and the associated field walls. 1500 sq.m. of peat were removed in two parallel strips 8m and 7m wide running 100m north to south along the south-facing slope. Within the main field, which is about 4 acres in extent, the ridges were laid out in a chevron pattern, running northeast and southwest at the upper end of the field for a distance of 25m, then running more or less east and west across the slop for about 45m, and finally resuming a northeast-southwest direction for about 20m. The ridges average 1.30 to 1.50m in width. Several clearance-heaps of fieldstones were uncovered.

Outside the area of the main field, at the top of the slope and towards its base, fainter traces of ridging were observed. The investigation of these was begun. An investigation was also commenced into the relationship of the field-walls with them. Soil analysis of the ridge sections was continued with the co-operation of Mr. Kosse of London University. Radiocarbon determinations from samples submitted to the Smithsonian laboratory in Washington indicate dates in the second millennium for much of this activity.